Aging in Style with Lori Williams

One of the best things you can do to keep your brain healthy as you age? Get good-quality sleep! It may sound simple, but as you age, your body produces lower levels of growth hormones. In turn, you may experience a decrease in deep sleep and produce less melatonin. It’s also common to wake up more often in the night, as certain medications and lifestyle choices can impact your beauty rest. That’s...

Prevention is key when it comes to health - and the same goes for dementia. Just as you’d exercise to help your physical fitness, you can train your brain to help ward off mental decline. Mental fitness is a passion for Ron Nevelow, licensed clinical social worker and certified dementia practitioner. With his practice, called Enlighten Senior Care, he and a team of mental health practitioners work...

Did you know, African Americans are 2x as likely to develop Alzheimer’s as white Americans? Program Services Coordinator Tanesha Tyler-Carr from the Alzheimer’s Association is back to discuss facts and figures surrounding Alzheimer’s and dementia in the Black community, an especially important topic to discuss during this Black History Month. Many issues factor into the prevalence of dementia, inc...

Did you know divorce rates for people over age 50 have tripled since 1990? Divorce is a common part of society, and that’s true among seniors too. There are many reasons for “gray divorce,” or divorce after midlife. With retirement coming up, finances are on many seniors’ minds, so overspending and mismanaging money may become more of an issue. Many empty nesters may also learn they’ve grown apart...

Watching a loved one struggle through dementia or Alzheimer’s is a challenge. But taking care of loved ones during these “unprecedented times” of the pandemic? It gets even harder! COVID-19 has been tough for vulnerable populations - people with dementia included. It can be difficult for care partners to communicate new requirements and routines to those with dementia, especially in an always-chan...

Elder abuse is on the rise - in large part thanks to COVID. Nowadays, many seniors are isolated or lack the social support they’ve had in the past. Plus, many caregivers are simply not equipped to be caregivers, and there are fewer that remain in the workforce. Without the right care, seniors are vulnerable to abuse such as verbal, emotional, and even financial abuse like scams. Abuse can happen a...

It’s common to transition to senior living or downsize your home when you age. If you already own a house, it’s your biggest asset - so it’s important to speak with a trusted, experienced real estate agent to advise you during your sale. That way it’s in good hands and you’re getting the highest net profit with the least inconvenience. Tricia Spurrier of The Spurrier Group, is back to discuss toda...

It’s never too late to start something new, and Senior Living Expert Lori Williams herself is proof! Learn about the podcast host’s journey into senior services – how her passion project began later in life and how the excitement of her day-to-day carries her through. Plus, you’ll also hear: · Lori’s 2021 Texas “Snowpocalypse” stories and how the community rallied to care for seniors · The value o...

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...

Your loved one is taking longer and longer to run errands, their car is scraped and dented, and you suspect dementia and Alzheimer’s. Even if you’re unafraid of confrontation, it can be nerve-racking to have the conversation with your loved one that it’s time to take their car keys. It’s critical to do it not just for your loved one’s safety, but for the safety of everyone else on the road. Tanesh...

In 2021, 6 million Americans have received an Alzheimer’s diagnosis, with 400,000 individuals diagnosed in Texas alone.* Nearly everyone knows someone with dementia or Alzheimer’s, but there are still many questions how to handle it - especially around the holidays. Senior Services Expert Lori Williams welcomes Tanesha Tyler-Carr, the program services coordinator from the Alzheimer’s Association D...

Meals on Wheels has been more important than ever the past couple years as seniors have isolated during the pandemic. But what is Meals on Wheels, and how does it work? And how do you or your loved ones qualify? Michelle McMahon is the executive director of Meals on Wheels in Denton County, Texas, and she’s joined by Senior Nutrition Program Manager Kristine Herrera to discuss all the ins and outs...

The holidays are coming, and maybe it’s the first time you’ve seen your family in a year (or even 2 years thanks to the pandemic). If you’re visiting elderly family members, it’s important to be alert and observant. Many families get together during the holidays and notice a decline in their loved ones since their last gathering. Senior living expert Lori Williams draws from her professional exper...

Your loved one has just been diagnosed with dementia - now what? As Bronwen Zilmer would say, you can’t do it alone, so find your community. As the founder of Oasis, a weekly caregivers’ day out program in Lewisville, Texas, she knows firsthand how important it is. This program was inspired by her experience caring for her father with dementia when she was only 29 years old, and it offers caregive...

If you or a loved one are looking into senior living, where do you begin? First, it’s important to know what senior living is. When you think of senior living, you may be thinking of a nursing home. However, there are many different types, from independent living to memory care, and it’s important to think of what best suits your needs. Maybe you just need socialization and meals included. Or, may...

Discussing personal finances isn’t something that we do much in our society. However, there comes a time where it may help our loved ones if we step in to protect their finances - not only because of dementia, but also due to elder abuse. The topic of financial abuse in the senior population may not be fun, but it’s important to be aware of. After all, no one wants to be in that situation, so it’s...

With a podcast called Aging in Style , it’s only fitting to welcome a guest who embodies the concept so fully. That’s why Senior Services Expert Lori Williams welcomes Doug Brown: Great Depression baby, World War II veteran, and current refurbisher of computers … who is 96 years young. Though he’s nearly 100, Doug says he feels at least 20 years younger. His secret? Staying busy. Along with words...

“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...

There’s a quote by Ernest Hemingway: “The world breaks everyone, and afterward many are strong at the broken places. But those that will not break it kills. It kills the very good and the very gentle and the very brave impartially.” One interpretation of this quote is that we're all going to be broken, but how we pick ourselves up – also known as our resiliency – is how we become stronger in those...

If you hear the words “senior living” and imagine a nursing home, you’re not alone. Senior Living Expert Lori Williams hears this from clients all the time! While it’s common for people to picture the sterile, dreary nursing homes of the 1970s, senior living has thankfully come a long way. There are many options, even upscale senior apartments with activities like resorts. This is just one of the...

The topic of exercise might not be your favorite - and maybe the act itself is something you’re putting off (myself included!). But no matter your age, exercise in some form offers plenty of benefits for your heart, lungs, and joints. Plus, it can make balance and mobility easier for seniors, which is especially helpful for preventing a nasty fall. Physical Therapist Dr. Matthew Bonander is the au...

Though many people have loved ones with dementia, they don’t always know the best way to communicate with them.  Senior Services Expert Lori Williams often relays tips to people whose parents have dementia – and they often realize they’re not putting them into practice. Lori’s 5 tips can help you and your loved one with dementia live more peacefully and stress-free. It can be difficult tending to...

One in 3 adults aged 65 and older fall each year, and less than half speak to their doctor about it. It’s a distressing situation that can cause broken bones and a hospital trip, so it’s worth taking seriously. Unfortunately, many worry about losing their independence if they mention this mishap. There are many reasons falls can happen - and, thankfully, there are countless ways to help prevent th...

After 13 years of working with hundreds of Texans who looked to transition, Lori has become an expert in Active Living, Independent living, Memory Care, Assisted Living, Residential Care Homes or Nursing Homes (or Rehab). In this episode of Aging in Style, Lori explains the ins and outs of senior housing, how to pay for each one, and gives real life examples of seniors who have made the transition...

There are 48 million caregivers in the United States, according to a 2020 AARP report – and they’re mostly for seniors. The documentary “It’s Not a Burden” by Filmmaker Michelle Boyaner takes a look at this section of society by showing families that care for their parents. Despite their various backgrounds, there are common themes that emerge and lessons to hold dear as you navigate this scenario...