Aging Starts Now

What if independence isn’t about doing everything alone—but about having the right support? On this episode of Aging Starts Now, host Pati Bedwell, elder care coordinator at Johnson McGinnis Elder Care Law & Estate Planning, sits down with occupational therapist Ebony Porter to explore how occupational therapy helps older adults live safely, confidently, and independently. We clear up common misco...

📂 Organizing Important Papers: Where to Start Most people know organizing important documents is important—but many don’t know where to begin. In this episode of Aging Starts Now, Outreach Coordinator Dana Hentschel is joined by Josh Hunter, Associate Attorney at Johnson McGinnis Elder Care Law & Estate Planning, to break it down in a practical, approachable way. We discuss: • Essential documents...

Resident rights matter—especially when a loved one is living in an assisted living or skilled nursing facility. In this episode of Aging Starts Now, Outreach Coordinator Dana Hentschel is joined by Elder Care Coordinator Pati Bedwell of Johnson McGinnis Elder Care Law & Estate Planning for an essential conversation about resident rights in long-term care settings. Together, they break down what re...

Did your holiday visit with your parents leave you feeling a little uneasy? 🎄 Stacks of unopened mail. Expired food in the fridge. Changes in mood, memory, or hygiene. Those small moments can raise a big question: Is it time for more help at home? In this episode of 🎙️ Aging Starts Now, Outreach Coordinator Dana Hentschel sits down with Elder Care Coordinator Erin Keogh-Rankin of Johnson McGinnis...

The holidays are often filled with tradition and togetherness—but for families caring for a loved one with dementia, they can also bring unexpected challenges. In this episode of Aging Starts Now, Outreach Coordinator Dana Hentschel is joined by Lynn Wood, Caregiver Support Coordinator for Mental Health America of the MidSouth. Together, they explore why the holiday season can be particularly over...

In this episode, elder care coordinator Katlyn Green sits down with Lisa Dotson of Northfield Church to explore the heart and impact of Night to Shine—a worldwide prom experience, sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation, created especially for individuals with special needs. We walk through: The mission and purpose of Night to Shine Northfield Church’s years of involvement What honored guests can ex...

We’re back with Part 2 of our series on Special Needs Trusts — and this week, we’re looking beyond public benefits. In this episode, we explore how a Special Needs Trust can also play a powerful role in asset protection and strengthen your overall estate plan. Attorney Josh Hunter of Johnson McGinnis Elder Care Law & Estate Planning returns to share practical insight and guidance every family shou...

When you’re caring for someone who depends on ongoing support, every decision matters — especially the financial ones. What many families don’t realize is that even the most well-meaning gift or inheritance can unintentionally jeopardize vital benefits like Medicaid or SSI. In today’s episode, we’re diving into a topic that can truly shape a loved one’s future: special needs trusts. Joining us is...

Denial & Dementia: Why Waiting Can Lead to Crisis In this episode of Aging Starts Now, Outreach Coordinator Dana Hentschel sits down with Certified Elder Law Attorney Barbara McGinnis to talk about one of the most difficult—and most overlooked—parts of dementia: denial. Families often explain away the early signs… the confusion, the personality changes, the small mistakes. But when warning signs a...

When aging parents say, “I’m fine right here,” or “I don’t need help,” — what do you do next? In this week’s episode of Aging Starts Now, host Debra King, Elder Care Coordinator and Licensed Clinical Social Worker at Johnson McGinnis Elder Care Law & Estate Planning, dives into one of the toughest family conversations: when loved ones resist the idea of moving to an assisted living community. Join...

Thinking about moving a parent into assisted living? You’re not alone — and it’s okay to feel overwhelmed. On the latest episode of Aging Starts Now, Elder Care Coordinators Pati Bedwell and Debra King share what to expect — emotionally, practically, and financially — so you can make confident, compassionate choices.

Caring for a loved one with dementia can be overwhelming — but you don’t have to do it alone. In this episode, Elder Care Coordinator Debra King. LCSW is joined by Keita Cole from the Tennessee Dementia Navigator Program — a powerful (and free) resource helping families across Tennessee find the support, guidance, and services they need. 💬 In this conversation, we cover: ✔️ What the Dementia Navi...

Scammers are getting smarter — but so are we. In our latest episode, Elder Care Coordinator Debra King, LCSW of Johnson McGinnis Elder Care Law & Estate Planning sits down with Chris Ramage, Special Agent-in-Charge at the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, to explore Safe Senior TN, a powerful initiative helping protect older adults from online and offline threats. 🎙️ Tune in to learn: ✅ The most...

Outreach coordinator Dana Hentschel is joined by Shelly Smitherman, Assistant Special Agent in Charge at the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, to talk about the TBI Find App—a game-changing tool for families and caregivers of vulnerable adults across Tennessee. If you care for someone with dementia, Alzheimer’s, or another cognitive condition—you need to hear this.

Certified Elder Law Attorney Barbara McGinnis chats with Dr. Monica Crane about one of the most challenging and misunderstood forms of dementia. Dr. Crane will discuss: 🔹 The stages of Lewy Body Dementia 🔹 How symptoms can differ from Alzheimer’s 🔹 What families can expect — and how they can cope 🎧 If you or a loved one is facing this diagnosis, this episode is a must-listen. Dr. Crane is a fe...

Who should you trust with your future? 🤔 Choosing the right attorney-in-fact, executor, or trustee is one of the most important — and emotional — parts of estate planning. Whether you have multiple children, no children, or a blended family, the decision isn't always clear. 🎙️ On this episode of Aging Starts Now, Outreach Coordinator Dana Hentschel and Certified Elder Law Attorney Barbara McGinni...

In this episode of Aging Starts Now, Elder Care Coordinator Deborah King talks with Tara Grimett from Personic Health about how advanced wound care—once limited to clinics—can now be provided in the comfort of your home. Learn who needs wound care, how referrals work, and what tools and technologies are used (like wound vacs and ultrasound mist machines). If you or a loved one is dealing with woun...

Palliative care doesn’t mean giving up. It means getting support—while continuing treatments like chemo, dialysis, or radiation. A lot of people think palliative care is the same as hospice. It’s not. Elder Care Coordinator Debra King dives into this topic with Shelby Kelley, a nurse practitioner of palliative care.

Are you or a loved one a veteran? 🪖 Do you know how to actually use the VA health care system? VA-accredited attorney Chris Johnson joins public benefits specialist Tyler McCullar to explain how the VA health system works—and how veterans can access the benefits they’ve earned. 💡 Get clarity on: ✅ Who qualifies for VA health care ✅ What services are available ✅ Common myths that hold veterans...

Have you ever heard the term "life settlement" in the context of life insurance? Elder Care Coordinator Katlyn Green explores alternative sources of supplemental income for seniors with Rob Haynie, owner and Managing Director of Life Insurance Settlements—one of the leading life settlement brokers in the industry.

You have gone to an attorney and created a trust and now you can mark that off your list right? The question is have you funded your trust. Certified Elder Law Attorney Barbara McGinnis along with Attorney Chris Johnson talk about an the most important step in creating a trust, which is trust funding.

Do you have a will? What happens if you pass away before creating this document? Outreach Coordinator Dana Hentschel speaks with Attorney Josh Hunter about what happens if someone passes away and they never created an official will. Will a handwritten will work? What about verbal wishes? We discuss all of this in today's episode.

Have you thought about pre-planning your funeral? Few people do, but it can be a great relief for those left behind. Outreach Coordinator Dana Hentschel speaks with Elder Care Coordinator Katlyn Green about making final arrangements.

Are you afraid of your mom or dad experiencing a fall with no one there to help them? Or maybe you are afraid of falling yourself. Today we are talking about technology available offering peace of mind to families with these concerns. Debra King, a licensed clinical social worker and elder care coordinator at Johnson McGinnis Elder Care Law and Estate Planning speaks with David Vigerust with the E...

Do your parents need a little extra help around the house with cleaning or meals? Or maybe it is help with bathing and dressing? When you realize that help is needed, how do you go about getting that help? Pati Bedwell and Katlyn Green, elder care coordinators at Johnson McGinnis Elder Care Law and Estate Planning discuss where to begin in hiring the right caregiver for yourself or your loved one.