Aging in Style with Lori Williams

Why do I need an Essential Binder? It’s a godsend when families have all their information ready in case the unthinkable happens. You might remember our guest Lynne Von Villas in episode 39, “Getting organized! Creating a Binder of Essential Documents for Aging Parents.” She returns to the podcast to continue giving amazing advice on the critical information you’ll need not only for your loved one...

You’ve taken all the necessary steps to move your loved one into senior living - only to discover they don’t like it. What do you do if your loved one wants to move? As a senior living expert, I’ve seen this situation happen a few times and have tips to help: · To reduce your odds of choosing the wrong community, I recommend working with a senior placement advisor or another professional who...

Stroke recovery is a rollercoaster. It’s easy to think there’s just the stroke itself and the recovery afterward. However, we’re going to hit speed bumps. Just when I thought things were starting to get more stable, Mark got sick with a stomach virus and had a seizure on January 3rd. He was dehydrated and had a high fever, and seeing someone have a seizure was terrifying. He was hospitalized for s...

’m a veteran, can VA help me pay for senior living? You’re in luck. Did you know the VA Aid and Attendance benefit can help pay for some types of senior living? The VA has many different programs out there, so it can be a bit complicated. VA Aid and Attendance is specifically designed to help veterans who need assistance with activities of daily living, like bathing, dressing, mobility, etc. To qu...

Why should I use a senior placement service for myself or my loved one? There are 5 reasons to work with a senior placement service, and 3 things to consider when choosing the right locator service. When you’re researching senior living for yourself or a loved one, it can be a challenging and time-consuming process. Without help, you risk wasted time, unwanted stress, and even ending up in the wro...

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! ·     &nbs...

Where do I go for help when applying for social security disability (SSD) benefits? If you‘re under 65 and become disabled due to a stroke or another setback that prevents you from working, you may be eligible for Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits. Today I’m sharing my experience of applying for SSD benefits for my husband, Mark, who had a series of strokes last Christmas. At first, I felt...

With Christmas just a few days away, it's been nearly a year since my husband Mark’s stroke. We weren't sure he'd make it, but he’s since defied the odds. Needless to say, it’s been a wild year of recovery with no shortage of curveballs! When I think about what I’ve learned this year, 4 themes come to mind: 1. The importance of my faith. Fear became my normal for a while, and the future felt...

What are some best practices to talk to someone with Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia? Though many people have loved ones with dementia, they don’t always know the best way to communicate with them. I often relay tips to people whose parents have dementia – and they often realize they’re not putting them into practice. My 5 tips can help you and your loved one with dementia live more peacefully an...

What are some lessons from the reality show, The Golden Bachelor? My social media specialist Sarah Polan rejoins me to discuss "The Golden Bachelor," a spinoff of the dating reality show where a group of women compete to become engaged to a single man. In this version, the bachelor is a 72-year-old widower named Gerry Turner, a man looking for his next great love after the death of his wife Toni....

What items are needed for a senior supply closet? I'm giving you an update on Emelita's Closet, which we launched back in January. Emelita's Closet is a donation closet where people donate gently used equipment for seniors, like walkers, wheelchairs, and shower chairs. We've been overwhelmed by the generosity of the community, and we're grateful for all the donations. However, in the past 9 months...

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...

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 7 months in re...

It’s common to go home for the holidays, reconnect with parents or older relatives, and notice some worrying changes in their lifestyle or behavior. Maybe your mother is falling more often - or maybe she’s forgetting important information.  Some of your concerns may have easy fixes -like a walker- while others need a more thoughtful conversation, such as rethinking their living situation.&nbs...

How’s Mark doing after his stroke? Christmas will be here before we know it, which will make it one year since my husband Mark’s stroke. My husband of 33 years had a stroke on Christmas Day 2022 that led to a series of strokes, 4 total. These occurred on the left side of his brain, which affects the right side and communication center. As a result, he has issues with speaking and no movement of hi...

What information do I need as a caregiver? November is National Family Caregivers Month. Senior Living Expert Lori Williams and Megan Rowe of the Alzheimer’s Association discuss the impact on caregivers who are caring for loved ones with dementia, Alzheimer’s disease or other conditions. Plus, they share resources to help them along in what can often be a stressful journey. Caregivers face an incr...

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...

No matter your age, love is always possible. This sentiment is more front and center now than ever thanks to the new series The Golden Bachelor . This spinoff of The Bachelor is now one of the most watched premieres ever on Hulu, with tons of great feedback. This show stars Gerry (pronounced Gary) Turner, a 72-year-old widower looking for his next great love as he dates a pool of beautiful, accomp...

What should I know about senior fall risks? One in 4 adults aged 65 and older fall each year. Not only that, but falls are the leading cause of injury death in this age group, with 800,000 patients being hospitalized each year. The most common culprits are head injuries and hip fractures, making for a scary situation. Why do seniors fall? 1. Comorbidities: This means another disease or medica...

How do I create my passion project? Imagine waking up to an email from your dream organization saying they’d like to collaborate. Or receiving messages on a weekly basis from your community saying how an episode of your podcast changed their life. Finally, imagine getting recognized on the street for what you love to do! Senior Living Expert Lori Williams has accomplished all of the above with her...

“Does Medicare cover assisted living?” is a common question Lori Williams gets as a senior living professional. Since Medicare functions as health insurance and doesn’t cover senior living, she welcomes an expert back to the show to share what it does cover. You’ll get a simple overview of the Medicare puzzle from June Kim, a community relations specialist with BlueCross BlueShield of Texas. With...

So, you decided your loved one needs a caregiver…what’s next? Where do you find one? How do you choose the right fit? Lori Williams is not only a senior living expert with 17 years of experience in the industry, but she is also a caregiver for her husband who had a stroke. She has the perspective of helping others find the right resources while navigating this reality for her own family.   Wi...

When talking to other caregivers, Senior Living Expert Lori Williams found a striking similarity: Many felt ill-equipped after their loved one was discharged from rehab. After her husband suffered a stroke on Christmas Day in 2022, she learned firsthand what many of her clients experience each day. Once he was released from rehab, Lori was given her husband’s medicine, told to install grab bars in...

What is it like to move to an active aging senior living apartment? Many people have reservations about transitioning into senior living apartments, often due to misconceptions or fears about the unknown. However, when explored closely, it becomes evident that active senior living communities offer a multitude of benefits that can truly enrich the golden years of life. In this episode of Aging in...

I promised my parents they'd stay home and would never go into another home, but now things have changed. What do I do? You’re not alone – many people make that promise to their loved ones, and we want to do right by them. But it’s difficult to keep a promise when you become educated about the subject and didn't have all the facts when making that promise. Everyone’s safety is most important. If y...