Aging in Style with Lori Williams

The Everyday Challenges Last night was a typical scene in my life, one almost like running a residential care home. Between managing the needs of my husband, Mark, who requires constant care after suffering multiple strokes, and my son, Chris, who recently injured his ankle, it felt as though I couldn’t catch a break. Even our dog joined in the drama with a limp, compounding the chaos! Understandi...

Have you ever felt too old to chase a dream or explore a new path? As someone who's walked alongside many seniors through their journeys of transitioning into new phases of life, I've heard countless people second-guess themselves, thinking they’ve missed their chance to pursue something different simply because of their age. Yet, time and time again, I've witnessed the magic that unfolds when the...

Today, the rise of online dating apps is something that has been both amusing and bewildering to navigate, especially for the younger generation like my daughter, Abby. Remember those stories of endless swiping on apps like Bumble? Each generation finds its own unique—and sometimes hilarious—path to love. Redefining Love in Later Years As I reflect on the Netflix show " Later Daters ," it's eviden...

As the clock ticks into 2025, it's hard to believe how quickly time flies. Reflecting on the past few years, I realize that 2022, 2023, and 2024 have been challenging and transformative. As I look ahead, like many of you, I find myself setting goals—some ambitious, some simple—but all important for leading a rewarding life as we age. I’ve come to understand that the key isn't merely surviving but...

After 17 years in senior living, I've witnessed thousands of families navigating the emotional rollercoaster of finding the right care for their loved ones. Through it all, I’ve come to identify the 4 types of families: the deniers, the always-yes, the dysfunctional family, and the guilt-ridden family. And believe me, just about everybody fits into one category! ·  The family in denial: This...

Picture this: a sweet lady, one of my dear clients, called me in a complete tizzy last week. Her phone and email were overwhelmed with messages from senior living communities she had no interest in. Rightfully, she was frustrated and initially thought I had inadvertently shared her contact information with these communities. Fortunately, after clarifying, we discovered the true culprit: a classic...

Have you ever paused to reflect on the idea of the "golden years"? It's a phrase we encounter often, mapping out an idyllic picture of our later years full of leisure and happiness. But is that glittering image truly reflective of reality? In this week's episode, I invite you to join me to uncover into this concept that has intrigued me—and many others—over time. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Ag...

How can my community become dementia friendly? We're back with another round of Ask Lori, where I answer questions from my listeners. If you’re curious about some community dementia resources, I have two great options to discuss. One is for businesses, while the other is for caregivers and their loved ones with dementia. First is Dementia Friendly, a nationwide initiative offering community educat...

What are some tips for the holidays when my loved one has dementia? Be adaptable, flexible and communicate The holidays are a time for togetherness and making memories, but the reality is it can also bring stress and disappointment. Holiday traditions may need to evolve over time as family dynamics and situations change, including when a loved one has Alzheimer’s or dementia. Megan Rowe, former Se...

Understanding Senior Housing and How to Pay for it As we age, planning for our future living arrangements and associated costs becomes crucial. In this episode, we're going to demystify the options and strategies for covering senior housing and care services, ensuring that you are well-informed as you consider the financial aspects of your loved one's aging. Often, there's confusion regarding the...

As the holiday season approaches, it's time filled with joy, celebration, and family gatherings. However, it’s also crucial for us to be vigilant when visiting our older family members. With concern from my listeners growing every year post-Thanksgiving, I felt the need to emphasize the importance of spotting the “red flags” when it comes to the well-being of our loved ones. Why Don’t They Tell Us...

Being a caregiver is a demanding role, one that requires not just physical and emotional strength but also strong communication skills. It's about ensuring clear understanding, providing comfort, and facilitating coordination among everyone involved in the caregiving journey. Today, I want to delve into the seven ways that being a good communicator can significantly enhance the caregiving experien...

Have you heard about the term "Silver Squatters"? This interesting concept came to my attention when a friend texted me about it after hearing it on the Today Show. So, naturally, I did what anyone would do—I Googled it to learn more. When we hear "squatters," our minds typically jump to individuals taking over properties without paying rent. However, the term "Silver Squatters" refers to somethin...

How can you adapt your home and life to caregiving? Ever since my husband Mark had a stroke over Christmas, life has been one big learning experience. I knew about common caregiving struggles secondhand from my clients, but living it has been more impactful than I could ever imagine. My podcast producer, Ana Xavier, joins me to discuss life since Mark returned home this summer after spending month...

Grappling with Faith When you're faced with a loved one's health crisis—be it a spouse, child, or parent—it's natural to question and confront every emotion you feel, including those tied to faith. Experiences like this can push some to lose faith, while others find their faith strengthened. Personally, during the two years since my husband Mark suffered four strokes, I've found my faith not just...

What are the top 10 most frequent expectations of caregivers? Caregiving is a profound and often challenging experience and in this episode,I want to explore the intricacies of managing expectations when caring for a loved one recovering from a serious health condition. Drawing from my own journey as a caregiver for my husband, Mark, a stroke survivor, I'll be sharing ten insightful tips that prov...

The Importance of Visiting Loved Ones with Dementia or Disabilities Visiting friends who have dementia or disabilities can be challenging. My husband, Mark, had a stroke, and it's been a journey for us. Initially, everyone was supportive, but as time went on, visits dwindled. It’s sad to see him feeling isolated, especially when his friends have stopped checking in. People have their lives, and I...

With a podcast called Aging in Style , it’s only fitting to welcome a guest who embodies the concept so fully. That’s why I'm welcoming Doug Brown: Great Depression baby, World War II veteran, and current refurbisher of computers … who is 99 years young. Though he’s nearly 100, Doug says he feels at least 20 years younger. His secret? Staying busy. Along with words of wisdom (such as “Volunteer or...

When my husband had his first stroke on Christmas Day 2022, I wasn’t prepared for how much our lives would change. One moment, we were preparing a late dinner; the next, I was rushing him to the hospital. That night marked the beginning of a series of events that would redefine our family's routine and my role as a caregiver. Since then, I’ve learned a lot about strokes, from prevention to recover...

In this raw and touching episode of Aging in Style with Lori Williams, Kelli Sattler takes the guest's seat to reveal her mother's journey with Alzheimer's disease, and open up about how she navigated this sensitive time as daughter, wife and mother to three boys.  Some of the most insightful tips from this conversation include  -The warning signs of dementia and Alzheimer's disease -How...

70% of people with Alzheimer's or another type of dementia will wander at some point in time due to poor short-term memory. ‘Wandering’ means getting lost by moving away from where they’re typically located, whether it’s driving or walking. This can be dangerous when they’re unable to find their way back and risk their safety or being taken advantage of. This is where the Safe Return MedicAlert® p...

Dana Mantilia realized how critical it is for people to learn about cybercriminals, identity thieves, and scammers while creating her identity protection company.  Criminals often prey upon seniors in particular by playing on their emotions and loneliness, creating a sense of urgency to get them to act fast. That’s why it’s important to have conversations with seniors who aren’t as knowledgea...

Order my book: https://amzn.to/3Y41CxA Today, I want to share a personal update that has been close to my heart: the journey my family and I have been on since my husband, Mark, had four strokes starting on Christmas Day, 2022. This experience has taught me so much and I feel compelled to share it with you, especially if you're caring for someone critically ill or injured. The Road to Recovery: Ma...

So, you decided your loved one needs a caregiver…what’s next? Where do you find one? How do you choose the right fit? I'm not only a senior living expert with 17+ years of experience in the industry, but I am also the primary caregiver for my husband who is a stroke survivor. I have the perspective of helping others find the right resources while navigating this reality for my own family.   W...

What are the benefits of speech therapy to the brain? If you have a stroke or a traumatic brain injury, you might find yourself visiting a speech-language pathologist. Depending on your injury, this professional helps with different areas of cognition and executive functioning, like decision-making and problem-solving skills. Together you’ll work to restore communication – and become as independen...