Life Happens

The biggest fear keeping people up at night? Running out of money! Increasing taxes and unpredictable medical costs aren't helping either. We need solid planning! 💸 #FinancialPlanning ~ Kym Harris Title: Long-Term Care- What You Need to Know Welcome to another episode of Life Happens with Kim Hegwood. In today’s episode, we're joined by Kym Harris of Rock Solid Retirement. Together, we tackle the...

"The thing with not relying solely on family and maybe going through an agency is that you're going to get someone. You're going to get consistent. If a caregiver has a problem and she can't come in there's someone else that's going to come in for you." ~ Donna Orozco Title: From Hospital to Home- The Role of Home Care Welcome to another insightful episode of "Life Happens with Kim Hegwood." Today...

In this special holiday episode of Life Happens, Kim Hegwood sits down with Michelle Reescano to discuss the unique challenges caregivers face during the holiday season and practical strategies to navigate them. Michelle explains why celebrations like Christmas, Hanukkah, and other festivities can increase stress for caregivers, especially those supporting loved ones with dementia. She shares valu...

In this episode of Life Happens, host Kim Hegwood is joined by Lori Spradlin to discuss the subtle yet important signs that aging parents may need more assistance and support. Lori begins by explaining the importance of allowing aging parents to maintain their independence with everyday tasks, even when adult children are eager to help. She outlines key red flags to look for in the home environmen...

In this episode of Life Happens, host Kim Hegwood sits down with Loretta Veney to discuss the crucial role of advocating for aging parents. Loretta shares why advocacy from adult children is so important and how to recognize when it’s time to step in to support your parent’s needs. She provides invaluable tips on how to communicate effectively with doctors and medical staff, ensuring your loved on...

In this episode of Life Happens, Kim Hegwood is joined by Melissa Batchelor to discuss an essential topic for families: How to Choose a Quality Nursing Home. Melissa shares her expert advice on what families should look for when selecting a nursing home, starting with the key factors that define quality care and the types of services provided to those who qualify. Together, they cover the various...

In this heartfelt episode of Life Happens, Kim Hegwood sits down with Laurette Foggini to discuss ways to keep children connected to grandparents or loved ones living with dementia. Laurette shares insights into the challenges that prevent families from being fully present, even when they want to stay engaged. She offers guidance on when and how to introduce the topic of dementia to children, help...

In this episode of Life Happens, Kim Hegwood is joined by Sally Casey to explore the evolving world of senior living, focusing on luxury and innovation within Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs). Sally begins by explaining the CCRC model, including details on whether residents purchase their apartment or pay a monthly fee. She dives into how luxury senior living providers are redefining...

In this episode of Life Happens, host Kim Hegwood welcomes guest Sal Scibilia to discuss the critical roles of a Certified Real Estate Probate Professional and a Certified Senior Transition Specialist. Sal begins by explaining what it means to hold these certifications and walks through the certification process required to become a Real Estate Probate Professional. The conversation explores the u...

In this episode of Life Happens, host Kim Hegwood sits down with Laura Wayman to discuss the importance of routine and structure for dementia patients and their caregivers. Laura begins by sharing five key benefits of establishing a routine for someone with dementia, explaining how it promotes stability and reduces confusion for patients. The conversation then turns to how a routine can also help...

This week on Life Happens, host Kim Hegwood welcomes Annalee Kruger to discuss the importance of having an Aging Plan and how it can make a world of difference for families and caregivers. Annalee starts by explaining how an Aging Plan can help prevent caregiver burnout by addressing needs and expectations early, reducing the stress that often comes with unexpected situations. The conversation als...

In this week's episode of Life Happens, host Kim Hegwood sits down with Christine Catoggio to explore how retirement has evolved and how individuals can embrace this new chapter of life! Christine begins by discussing why retirement today is vastly different from that of previous generations, touching on the changing dynamics and expectations of modern retirees. Beyond finances, Christine high...

In this episode of Life Happens, host Kim Hegwood is joined by Nancy Ruffner to discuss the vital role of independent patient advocacy and how it empowers individuals to take control of their healthcare journey. Nancy begins by explaining what independent patient advocates do and how they assist people in navigating complex medical situations, providing much-needed support and guidance. The conver...

In this episode of Life Happens, host Kim Hegwood is joined by Katie Duncan to discuss her book The Dying Process and shed light on what happens during the final stages of life. Katie begins by sharing her background and the personal experiences that inspired her to write the book, offering listeners insight into her motivation to educate others about this important topic. The conversation covers...

The Differences Between Dementia and Mild Cognitive Impairment: "So mild cognitive impairment is you're noticing those changes more than the typical aging changes a little bit more, but mild cognitive impairment may not necessarily be interfering with your daily, you know, activities that you're doing."— Paige Neumeyer Title: Dementia Diagnosis -What now? Welcome to another episode of Life Happens...

Choosing the Right Health Plan: "Your neighbor's plan is not going to necessarily be the best plan for you."— Lori McGalin Title: Why is Medicare So Complicated? Welcome to another episode of Life Happens with Kim Hegwood, where we help Texans safeguard their legacies and prepare for life's second half. Today, we're excited to welcome Lori McGalin, a Medicare expert, to demystify the complexities...

"Even though they can't be able to remember exactly what you said and exactly what you're trying to get them to do with time, over time, they remember the feeling they get when you are around."— Natali Edmonds Title: Getting Someone with Dementia to Do What You Need Them to Do? Welcome to another insightful episode of Life Happens with Kim Hegwood. Today, we are thrilled to have Dr. Natali Edmonds...

"If you want someone to really grasp what you're saying, get on their dominant side. The brain receives that information differently." Carol Howell Title: Let’s Talk Dementia with Carol Howell Welcome to Life Happens with Kim Hegwood! In today's enlightening episode, Kim interviews Carol Howell, a certified dementia practitioner and author of "Let's Talk Dementia" and "Let's Talk Dementia Take 2."...

"The care assessment gives us pretty much a broad picture of what the resident the seniors needs are, whether they're in their home, they're in the hospital, they're in a senior living community, they can be pretty much anywhere."— Jan Kaiser Title: What is Care Management and why do I need it? Welcome to another episode of Life Happens with Kim Hegwood! Today, we're joined by the incredible Jan K...

In this enlightening episode of Life Happens, host Kim Hegwood welcomes David Gober from Capstone Hospice to discuss the often misunderstood world of hospice care. David begins by addressing some of the most common misconceptions about hospice, providing clarity on what hospice truly offers and dispelling myths that often surround it. Kim and David explore how to recognize when it might be the rig...

In this special episode of Life Happens, host Kim Hegwood welcomes guest Darlene Fuchs for a heartfelt discussion about her book, which delves into the emotional journey of a spouse caring for a partner with dementia. The episode begins uniquely, with Darlene reading a short excerpt from her book to set the tone and provide listeners with a glimpse into the profound experience of her father caring...

In this insightful episode of Life Happens with host Kim Hegwood, guest Samuel Pacheco from Therapy 2000 joins the conversation to discuss the vital role of therapy in children's development. Samuel starts by addressing when parents should be concerned about communication problems in their children, offering guidance on early signs and intervention strategies. The episode dives into the benefi...

In this episode of Life Happens, host Kim Hegwood is joined by Zoe DeBruhl to shed light on the critical aspects of navigating Medicare and Medicaid. Zoe begins by explaining the fundamental differences between Medicare and Medicaid, clarifying the unique benefits and eligibility requirements of each program. The discussion then shifts to the steps families should take to prepare for a move to a n...

In this uplifting episode of Life Happens with host Kim Hegwood, special guest Robyn Horn discusses her new book, Transforming the Mundane into Sacred: Spirituality in Caregiving for the Elderly. Robyn begins by sharing what inspired her to write this heartfelt book, offering insights into her personal journey and the experiences that shaped her perspective. Kim and Robyn explore the meaning behin...

In this enlightening episode of Life Happens with host Kim Hegwood, Dr. Brittany Lamb, an ER doctor and founder of a company dedicated to supporting dementia patients and their families, shares her unique perspective and expertise. Dr. Lamb begins by discussing what inspired her to start a company focused on dementia care, emphasizing the critical need for specialized support in emergency situatio...