Aging in Style with Lori Williams

Caregiving from the male perspective explained When Bill Cohen was caring for his mother with Alzheimer’s in the mid-2000s, 1 out of every 5 caregivers were men. Now, it’s closer to 1 in 3, and more and more men are stepping into that role. Bill learned many valuable tips and tricks while caregiving, and today he gives back as a caregiver support leader and owner of Cohen Caregiving Support Consul...

What are Residential Senior Care homes, what type of care do they provide, and who would be a good fit as a resident? In this episode of Aging in Style with Lori Williams, Lori sits down with Jennifer Davis, founder of Davis Family Elder Care to discuss all aspect of this type of senior housing, and what inspired her to open her own residential care home. The passion to work with seniors runs deep...

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 independent as possible in the meantime. Francine Waskavitz is a...

Dementia is not just an individual’s disease. In fact, it’s estimated that it requires two-and-a-half loved ones to care for someone with dementia. And caregiving is a 24/7 job. Unfortunately, caregivers often neglect their own needs to care for a loved one with dementia. They will delay their own appointments and engagements while enduring the mental, emotional and physical toll of caregiving – w...

Different ways to pay for senior living: So you’ve decided you or your loved one needs senior living - how much is it going to cost? A 2020 study by Genworth determined that the U.S. average for assisted living is $4,429 a month, though it could be less (or even more) depending on where you live! Budget is a huge factor in determining what’s available to you. Unfortunately, there’s also a huge mis...

How can I best support the caregivers in my life? It’s easy to empathize and imagine that the life of a caregiver is not an easy one. Actually living that experience, though, is a different story. Senior Living Expert Lori Williams learned this firsthand when her husband had a series of strokes 6 months ago. The reality of caregiving, she says, “is unfathomable.” She draws from her experiences to...

It’s always good to stay hydrated in the heat of summer, but it’s especially important for seniors. A UCLA study found that 40% of seniors may be chronically under-hydrated, with adults age 65 and above having the highest hospital admission rates for dehydration. There are a few reasons seniors tend to struggle with hydration. Some seniors may have a decreased sense of thirst as they age, and othe...

My loved one is very weak and was recommended physical therapy. Do we need to go to rehab? Physical therapy is often recommended for those at risk for falling in their home or those weakened due to sickness or other conditions. One big fall risk is if your loved one is shuffling and not picking their feet up when they walk. Physical therapy is a great way to regain strength, so it’s important to g...

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...

Yes, you can take your car to senior apartments, independent living and assisted living communities as long as you’re safe to drive. You can’t bring a car to a memory care community and typically, not to residential care homes. Keep in mind, independent living communities often provide transportation for residents. You might consider using their transportation if you rarely drive and don’t want to...

A survey by the Coalition for Aging LGBT found that 95% of the LGBT senior community said their number one concern was housing. It’s a challenge for the LGBT community to find senior living largely due to fear of discrimination. In turn, many will go back into the closet at a time in their lives they should be able to be themselves. The Coalition for Aging LGBT works to Improve and protect the qua...

What do I need to know about senior living and aging? Senior Living Expert Lori Williams receives many questions each day as part of her senior placement service – and with her 17+ years of experience, she has answers! Enjoy learning her wisdom as she answers common questions such as: -How soon should I start planning for aging and senior living? -How do I plan life transitions when I’m stressed a...

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...

There are some topics that are awkward and uncomfortable as we discuss aging. With the right speakers, though, it can become lighthearted and fun! Occupational Therapist Maria Lindbergh is one of these people, and she specializes in helping people clean their bottoms after using the toilet. She created a course called, “Hard Time Wiping? Let’s Talk A-Booty It.” She shares toilet techniques and fou...

What is a day like in a senior center?  Lori Williams sits down with Jaime Jaco Cooper from Flower Mound's Senior Center for a behind the scenes look at what Senior Centers look like in a normal day (pre-COVID-19), who joins it (you'll be surprised!), and how they put together their active programming (it's more than just bingo!). In this episode, Lori and Jaime explain the role and impact th...

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...

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...

Anxiety can happen to anyone, regardless of age. However, it can show up in different ways, in different intensities, at different times, among different genders. The conversation around anxiety has also become much more open in newer generations than in the past. Still, anxiety isn’t discussed often enough – particularly in senior circles. That’s why Senior Living Expert Lori Williams invites ‘Th...

What's best assisted living options: bigger or smaller facilities? There are 2 common types of assisted living. First there’s the traditional large buildings with activity directors, transportation, and 100+ residents. It’s large but scalable with more amenities and services to offer residents. Then there’s the smaller residential home model - ‘mom and pop’ style with more individual attention. Lo...

How does Alzheimer’s disease affect women? Women are more likely to be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and more likely to be the caregiver for someone who has Alzheimer’s. When we think about women’s health, we often think of breast cancer. However, women in their 60s are almost twice as likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease over the rest of their lives than breast cancer. In fact, one in 5 women over...

What is Parkinson’s disease dementia? There are 1 million people with Parkinson’s disease, and it affects 2% of adults over 65. Parkinson’s resembles dementia, but dementia is an umbrella term of a set of symptoms related to thinking and memory and cognitive abilities. Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia, but there are many types – including Parkinson’s disease dementia (PDD)....

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 long process that brings up many questions. Without help, you risk wasted time, unwanted stress, and even ending up in the...

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 knowledgeab...

What to consider when life changes in an instant? Taking care of a loved one with a life-changing illness or accident is a difficult journey that can happen to anyone. It is a big catastrophe that can change your life in an instant, however, no one thinks this can happen to them until it does. That is why it is important to ensure that you know your insurance and financial options, as well as lett...

Have you ever had something on your heart, and the universe sends you a sign to do it? Senior Living Expert Lori Williams saw there was an opportunity within the senior living community. Each day she helps place seniors into different living situations: memory care, assisted living, independent living, and more. She also helps connect families to senior resources. These families often wonder what...