Aging Together // Unfiltered

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Rachel & I talk about navigating health challenges and hospitalizations with persons living with dementia. Rachel Wiley, MS, OTR/L, CDP is an occupational therapist and the founder and owner of Dementia Consulting and the Dementia Collaborative LLC . Rachel is certified in Skills2Care® for caregivers of individuals living with dementia, and she is a Certified...

Send us Fan Mail Steve Powell is the founder of IndeeLift, the leading manufacturer of human floor lifts that are designed to safely and comfortably lift seniors or others with mobility issues off the floor after falling. Like millions of Americans, Steve was a caregiver for his aging parents as their health deteriorated. Both of Steve’s parents were determined to age at home, but they each strugg...

Send us Fan Mail This month we’re hearing from Dr. Monique Nugent, a practicing hospitalist and an associate director for the Division of Hospital Medicine at South Shore Hospital in Weymouth, Massachusetts. She is also the author of Prescription for Admission: A Doctor’s Guide for Navigating the Hospital, Advocating for Yourself, and Having a Better Hospitalization , a complete guide providing th...

Send us Fan Mail Dr. Maria Cristina is a health and wellness coach for women 50 years and older. She is the founder and owner of Sheehan Health & Wellness.  Her journey began at age 69 when she found herself aging typically, slowing down, gaining weight, and feeling that the decline she was experiencing was inevitable. At the age of 69, she stepped away from her academic career, where she serv...

Send us Fan Mail Wow, what a year! This episode is the last episode of Season 1, 2023. In this episode, I provide a broad overview of the year/season, share my gratitude, and introduce the upcoming changes and launch of Season 2, 2024.  If you listened to any of the 50 episodes this year and found even one of them valuable, please help me out by liking, subscribing, rating, and sharing a review. I...

Send us Fan Mail December is World AIDS Awareness Month. While the face of the AIDS epidemic has evolved over the years, the challenges faced by older adults living with this condition remain significant. As advocates for health and wellness, it's imperative to recognize the unique intersection of aging and HIV/AIDS, addressing the needs and concerns of this demographic. In this episode, I re...

Send us Fan Mail December is full of holidays in our melting pot of cultures, religions, and traditions. From Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day, approximately 30 different holidays are celebrated across the United States. For many, these holidays are a time to bring the family together, with relatives of all generations and extensions of marriage. For many families, this means a juggling act between...

Send us Fan Mail December is Universal Human Rights Month. Universal Human Rights Month commemorates the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) by the United Nations General Assembly on December 10, 1948. This landmark document serves as a foundational framework emphasizing the inalienable rights of every individual regardless of race, gender, age, or creed. It articulates fu...

Send us Fan Mail December is National Identity Theft Prevention & Awareness Month. As more older adults integrate their lives into the modern online world, they’ve become easier targets for online dangers. In this episode, I interview Sagar Pandya, a cybersecurity expert, on top tips to keep older adults and their families safe online.  Support the show

Send us Fan Mail “Dementia is one of the nation’s most expensive old-age health conditions and the most time consuming for family caregivers.” - Population Reference Bureau (PRB) November is full of celebrations and appreciation. It's National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month. It's National Family Caregivers Appreciation Month. It's National Home Care and Hospice Month. This...

Send us Fan Mail Approximately 1 in 10 older adults experience some form of elder abuse each year, yet only 1 in 14 cases ever comes to the attention of authorities. This hidden epidemic affects millions of seniors and underscores the critical need for effective elder law services and advocacy in safeguarding the rights and well-being of our aging population.  According to recent data, over 70% of...

Send us Fan Mail Family caregiving is a cornerstone of the American healthcare system. According to data from the AARP and the National Alliance for Caregiving, there are an estimated 53 million family caregivers in the United States, providing care to adults and children with special needs. This number represents a substantial portion of the population, highlighting the importance of caregiving i...

Send us Fan Mail "According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 70% of people turning 65 can expect to use some form of long-term care during their lives, with an average duration of three years. With the high costs associated with long-term care, it's crucial for older adults and their families to have a solid financial plan in place to ensure a secure and comfortable f...

Send us Fan Mail October is PT Month! With an aging demographic on the rise, the role of physical therapy in promoting healthier and more active lives for older adults has never been more crucial. Tune in to learn about balance, walking, balance, strengthening, balance, endurance, and more balance! In this episode, Dr. Colleen Marie McShane, PT, DPT, GCS shares expert insights into physical therap...

Send us Fan Mail October is Dental Hygiene Month. Oral health can have many implications on one's overall health, especially as one ages. From cavities to tooth decay to gum disease, small infections can become life-threatening issues if left unaddressed. In this episode, Dr. Krupa Patel, DDS shared expert insights in oral health and aging.  Support the show

Send us Fan Mail October is Health Literacy Month, established in 1999 by Helen Osborne who wanted to increase access to healthcare information. In this episode, I’m taking a dive into health literacy for older adults, and how it impacts the aging process for different communities.   Support the show

Send us Fan Mail October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month! In this episode, Sarah and I take a dive into breast cancer facts and figures, testing, intervention, and impact on aging.  === Sarah Zera is the founder and owner of Moxie OT, which seeks to support occupational therapy consumers and practitioners in developing the confidence they need to reach their goals. Moxie OT provides mobile occupa...

Send us Fan Mail Continuing on with Fall Prevention Month, September is also National Preparedness Month. For many older adults, fall prevention is only one slice of the pie. Preparing for a fall and having a plan in place on how to handle one are two additional slices to that pie. Some crisis situations may be unavoidable, but having a plan in place can be a saving grace during that tumultuous ti...

Send us Fan Mail Continuing on with Fall Prevention Month, September is also National Self-Care Awareness Month. For many older adults, self-care and fall prevention go hand-in-hand, as nearly 80% of falls in the home are in the bathroom during personal self-care tasks. In this episode, I’m taking a dive into how to manage incontinence and toileting issues in older adults for fall prevention and i...

Send us Fan Mail September is National Fall Prevention Awareness Month! As we age, it's natural to experience changes in physical and cognitive function that can impact our ability to safely navigate our homes. By proactively addressing potential hazards, we can help older adults maintain their independence and avoid accidents and injuries. In this episode, I take a dive into home safety asse...

Send us Fan Mail Aaron is a passionate design professional, consultant, and advocate for Aging-In-Place in your own community. He has been presenting at a national and international level for over 15 years. He is a licensed architect, a “Certified Aging In Place Specialist” through NAHB, and an engaging and entertaining public speaker. Aaron is a known industry expert & author in the Aging-in-...

Send us Fan Mail August is Happiness Happens Month, which is dedicated to celebrating things that make you happy! In this episode, I take a dive into the importance of happiness for seniors. Throughout the episode, I share some practical tips for seniors and their families to lead a joyful and fulfilling life as they age.  Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Dr. Mital Patel is an optometrist and the owner of Classic Vision Care (CVC). She graduated from the Illinois College of Optometry in 2008 and then completed an ocular disease residency. Mital worked a few corporate jobs and decided that private practice was the best fit for her. She has been the owner and optometrist at CVC for almost 12 years now and has expanded to multiple loc...

Send us Fan Mail August is Immunizations Awareness Month - or in other terms, we’re talking about vaccines. In this episode, I speak with a pharmacist about all things vaccines and what older adults need to know.  Amisha Patel Pandit is a Medical Information Specialist-Pharmacist for a global contract research organization called PPD, a part of Thermo Fisher. Her main role involves responding to u...

Send us Fan Mail August is Back to School Month! This episode provides 10 ideas for involving grandparents in back-to-school month transitions, including routines, traditions, and  conversations with their grandchildren!  Support the show