Aging in Style with Lori Williams

My loved one with dementia is anxious and agitated – what can I do? It’s common for those with Alzheimer’s to have challenging behaviors – maybe they’re terrified, aggressive, or not sleeping. However, when Tonja Moon’s family gave her grandma a baby doll, everything changed. Her grandma’s mood completely changed, and the baby became her purpose. She began eating more and stopped wandering. She fi...

How can you train yourself to have a positive mindset? Try the 7 steps to change your mindset. Your mindset can make or break a situation. If you look for the negatives, you’ll easily find negativity. If you can find the positive in it, positivity spreads. We can’t control what happens to us, but we can choose our response – and choosing to nurture a positive vs. negative mindset is often key to a...

I am beyond excited to welcome you to the 200th episode of "Aging in Style." It's incredible to think that we've come this far, and I am so grateful for your ongoing support. This episode is particularly special for me because it coincides with the launch of my new book, "Surrounded by Love: One Family’s Journey Through Stroke Recovery." I launched the book on Amazon in the third week of July, and...

What’s the reality of life for children of stroke victims? When someone suffers a stroke, it’s common to get the perspective of a spouse or primary caregiver. But what about children who are younger adults on the cusp of life? When my husband Mark had 4 strokes that began on Christmas Day in 2022, my children Abby and Chris saw the horror unfold and our lives changed in an instant. While I was pit...

How does caregiving change you? Since my husband Mark had four strokes on Christmas Day in 2022, the past 18 months have profoundly changed me. This journey through hospitals, rehabs, and endless challenges pushed me to a new level of toughness I never knew I had. While I never doubted my community, I’ve been pleasantly surprised at the love I’ve received. This inspired the name of my new book, Su...

What is aphasia and how is it treated? Discussions around aphasia have become more mainstream as celebrities like Bruce Willis, Dick Clark and Randy Travis have struggled with the condition. Aphasia is a neurological language disorder often resulting from injury to left side of the brain due to stroke, head injury, tumors, lesions, and more. It affects the ability to speak, read, write, and compre...

You may be wondering, “Why would I ever use a senior placement service? I don’t want to leave my house.” The truth is, many of us who work for senior placement services agree: We want you to stay at home as long as possible, if that’s what you want AND if it’s safe for you to do so! If you’re no longer safe or no longer wish to be at home, the good news is that senior living specialists can help....

Why are seniors more likely to get dehydrated? How can they stay safe in the summer heat? Summer is here, and with triple-digit heat in Texas, this means it’s a great time to revisit senior safety. Dehydration and heat stroke are big risks for older adults, so it’s important to stay informed and know how to lower your risk. First, it’s helpful to understand why seniors are at risk of dehydration a...

There are an estimated 2.7 million LGBTQ people over the age of 50. With Alzheimer’s projected to affect 13 million people by 2050, we can anticipate this impacting many members of the LGBTQ population. In honor of Pride Month, Megan Rowe joins me to explain how Alzheimer’s uniquely impacts this population. As the former Senior Program Manager for the Alzheimer’s Association Dallas and Northeast T...

How can strokes be prevented? Our beautiful brain hosts millions of cells, however, every minute that our brain goes without proper blood flow, 1.9 million brain cells die. This statistic is incredibly significant and brings home the importance of quick action when stroke symptoms appear. In this episode, I’m thrilled to have two exceptional guests from Medical City Lewisville, a top-notch hospita...

How can I cope when I’m grieving someone who is still alive? You always hear about grief when someone has died – but what about if they’re still alive? This is a scenario commonly experienced when a loved one suffers an accident or stroke, or has been given a life-changing diagnosis such as Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s. You grieve who they were and the life you once had. The 5 stages of grief are th...

When talking to other caregivers, I found a striking similarity: Many of us felt ill-equipped after our loved ones were discharged from rehab. After my husband suffered a stroke on Christmas Day in 2022, I learned firsthand what many of my clients experience each day. Once he was released from rehab, I was given my husband’s medicine, told to install grab bars in the shower for safety, add a showe...

Mother's Day is a special occasion to honor and celebrate the remarkable women in our lives who have lovingly served in the role of a mother figure. However, when your loved one is navigating the journey of dementia, finding the perfect gift that resonates with their unique needs and preferences becomes a heartfelt challenge. In this episode of Aging in Style, you'll learn what to consider when se...

How can I avoid family drama when an elderly loved one needs care? Every family has its own conflicts and drama. This truth becomes more obvious when aging parents or loved ones need care due to dementia, Alzheimer’s, or other diagnoses where they require constant care. Old fights and hurt feelings resurface, siblings butt heads, and the stress of the situation can make it all worse! Author Leah S...

How is CARFIT good for seniors? It’s important for everyone to be as safe as possible on the road, and CARFIT helps ensure you're in the best position to stay safe in your vehicle. I had the pleasure of welcoming Amanda Mills, RN, Trauma Program Manager with Medical City Lewisville’s to learn all about CARFIT events and how they can help the senior population in particular. In 2006 CARFIT was crea...

'What should I know to age well?'  I just turned 60, and this has brought up a lot of thoughts. You might be surprised to hear none are negative, but that’s because I honestly feel blessed to be here. (Aging isn't a guarantee!) My life has been full of ups and downs, and many of my plans didn’t go exactly the way I wanted them to. Still, I can say it all worked out in the end. As a senior liv...

What do I need to know about hospice? Hospice can be a scary word for people, but it’s important to understand. Karyl Thomas of Lori Williams Senior Services joins me to bring her 20+ years of expertise, including 3 years working in hospice herself. She shares 10 things you should know about hospice, many that correct common misconceptions around it! 1. Hospice doesn’t hasten death. It allows...

What’s a good local activity I can do with my loved one who has dementia? Isolation and stress are common issues for caregivers and their loved ones with dementia. One great solution to this? “Wellness in Nature” walks with Dementia Friendly in Denton County, Texas. To support this, the Denton County’s chapter offers nature walks in a program called “Wellness in Nature” in the fall and spring. The...

Can I negotiate pricing in Senior Living? As an expert in the field of aging, I often come across common questions about senior housing and one that stands out is: 'Are prices in senior housing negotiable?' The answer is yes, in most cases! Research Comparable Communities When it comes to finding the right senior housing option, the key is to research comparable communities. It's essential to comp...

How can I find a reputable residential care home? It’s a horrible topic we don’t want to discuss, but it’s an important one: caregiver abuse. In Texas, there’s an investigation into alleged abuse occurring at residential care homes called Love and Caring for People. Police are now looking into the deaths of 13 people who have died in the care of a woman who owns a string of homes in the Dallas / A...

Should I move an elderly family member in with me? Or should we look into senior living? This is a question I receive a lot. Before I dive in, it’s important to remember that every situation is different. Be sure to do what’s best for you and your family. But to gauge what’s right, I have a list of pros and cons for you to consider. Pros: ·       Living with your love...

How can I prevent cognitive decline? Try the Alzheimer Association’s 10 ways to love your brain   The new year is underway, and many have begun new goals in physical fitness. Physical health is important, but an often-overlooked part of the body is our brain. Just like a workout regimen, there are everyday activities you can do to help your brain health – which also play a big role in dementi...

What should I know about reverse mortgages? True or false: If you move to a reverse mortgage, you will have to give up title to your home. False! You keep title to your home and continue to control the property, just as you would with a different type of mortgage. There’s no impact on your income taxes or credit at all, and actually, it can be a versatile tool to help you live a better life. The t...

What is the Flower Mound senior prom? We’re diving into a fun topic that I’m asked about all the time: the Senior Prom in Flower Mound. My producer Ana joins me as we discuss this successful community event. The senior prom started more than 10 years ago and was known as the ‘second time around prom’ for those who missed prom the first time around. Although this event fell apart during the pandemi...

“Can I bring furniture to senior living?” is a common concern many seniors face when transitioning to a senior community. Each location is different, but senior apartments, independent living, and assisted living communities allow you to bring furniture. If you’re moving to memory care or residential care homes, furniture is often provided or limited. If on Hospice, Medicare will provide furniture...