Answers For Elders Radio Network

Parkinson’s expert  Lianna Marie , CEO of AllAboutParkinsons.com , joins Suzanne to talk about coming to terms with a chronic illness such as Parkinson's that changes your life. “I just want to talk today about some of the disappointments, practical or emotional, that mom went through, and things that we were able to do to help her through those, or that she did herself. As we went through, we tri...

Parkinson’s expert  Lianna Marie , CEO of AllAboutParkinsons.com , joins Suzanne to talk about coming to terms with a chronic illness such as Parkinson's that changes your life. One thing that comes with it is a stigma, so there's a level of embarrassment. Some might see someone with a tremor or stooped posture, or walking wobbly, all Parkinson's symptoms, but someone might assume they're inebriat...

Director for Education and Culture for Koelsch Communities Benjamin Surmi joins Suzanne to talk about where to find resources to help reinvent ourselves. Benjamin says, "Do not discount the community center in your city, do not discount any kind of lifelong learning institute at a local university. In most metro areas some really cool stuff is happening that is empowering seniors to continue learn...

Director for Education and Culture for Koelsch Communities Benjamin Surmi joins Suzanne to talk about reinvention. What about seniors who are aging in place to reinvent themselves? Benjamin say, "There's a bit of a myth around aging in place, that aging in place means you age in a residential suburban home. Aging in place means to age wherever you will thrive. We all come from the same space that...

Director for Education and Culture for Koelsch Communities Benjamin Surmi joins Suzanne to talk about reinvention. A new life cycle is emerging due to demographic shifts as we're living longer, as well as changes in how we learn and work. A new trend shows multiple cycles of school, work, and mini retirement, with several different careers over the course of their lives. Some seniors are happy at...

Director for Education and Culture for Koelsch Communities Benjamin Surmi, a social gerontologist, joins Suzanne. He oversees wellness programs that support 1,500 seniors throughout the United States. His mission is to empower older adults to go after things that matter to us, finding purpose, meaning, and enthusiasm in the second half of our lives. We see that 1) having a positive view of aging i...

Tae Fant, Senior Dining Services Director at Era Living , joins Suzanne to talk about creating a Fine Dining Experience in a Retirement Community. She's based at Era Living's University House Wallingford community. Tae says, "Everyone's perception of fine dining is different. For me, it's a high quality service that usually incorporates multiple courses and formal settings. And when I mean formal...

Justin Rutledge, director of Culinary and Dining Operations at Era Living , joins Suzanne to talk about the culinary benefits of senior living communities. He talks about how he puts together the programs, designed more like a hotel or country club with fresh ingredients. He provides an overview of the dining/culinary program, food and dietary choices in retirement communities, and talks about how...

People behind the scenes make Era Living 's amazing clock tick. Housekeeping Services Director Almaz Berhe joins Suzanne to talk about housekeeping amenities typically provided. Almaz has been University House Wallingford for the last 19 years. Almaz says, "So every resident, they know their housekeeper. They build that relationship, and the housekeeper knows the resident very well because they kn...

Danielle Parkins, Executive Director of Aljoya Thornton Place in Seattle, joins Suzanne to talk about what's included when new residents move into Era Living . Everything they'd need is included: amenities such as weekly housekeeping, facilities help, 24-hour staff for safety and security, activities from fitness to spirit to intellectually stimulating, dining, internet, cable, a social worker is...

Marlina Velasco-Barker joins Suzanne to talk about therapy dog training. Washington Therapy Dogs is the Western Washington headquarters of Pet Partners . Formerly a research organization, Pet Partners grew to become a place to register and evaluate trainers, and collaborate with them to connect with other pet teams. To register a therapy dog, they must be at least a year old. There are several req...

Marlina Velasco-Barker joins Suzanne to talk about what makes a dog a good therapy dog, and what makes a person a good handler. The dog has to be a willing recipient of multiple pets, accustomed to being in crowded situations, predictable, canine good citizen, ability to adjust to stressful environments and situations, and having confidence. The human also has to be confidence and comfortable. Lis...

Marlina Velasco-Barker joins Suzanne to talk about animal assisted intervention – who the dogs visit, and what happens during a visit. Starting with visiting senior living communities, they're expanding to visit community colleges, military bases, and other sites. "The moment a senior spots a dog, many go from being nonverbal to verbal." Visit Washington Therapy Dogs to learn about the state organ...

Coach Marlina Velasco Barker of Washington Therapy Dogs joins Suzanne, describing how her experience with her aging mom brought her to the world of animal assisted intervention. Washington Therapy Dogs' mission is to spread joy, comfort, support, and unconditional doggie love to any one who is vulnerable. For Marlina, it's become a passion project. It's grown from a Facebook group to ally with Pet...

Innovator Ryan Herd joins Suzanne to talk about how technology is advancing for later life care. The good news is that machine learning lets us start helping caregivers with the appropriate uses of technology. A good example is the video doorbell. Cameras or listening devices inside are inappropriate, but outside is great, it lets them see who's outside, whether it's an Amazon delivery guy with a...

Innovator Ryan Herd joins Suzanne to talk about how we can help to make sure that our loved ones are safe, be connected to them if they're in a trouble situation, while they maintain their dignity and age in place in their home, which is so valuable and important. So many people say, "Just put a camera in the house." That won't work — nobody wants to be on camera, nobody wants to have their privac...

Innovator Ryan Herd joins Suzanne to talk about providing hope, dignity and a sense of wellness for aging seniors living alone in their homes. You're doing your best, but you can't be there all the time to check on your aging loved one. Ryan's grandmother is in her 90s and lives alone. He developed a non-invasive caregiving app called Caregiver Smart Solutions . Sensors about the size of a quarter...

We all know somebody or has someone who wants to age in place in their home. Ryan Herd joins Suzanne to talk about how Caregiver Smart Solutions helps families and seniors. Ryan first faced caregiving challenges when his father got cancer, and one medicines had to be taken exactly at 24-hour intervals. Ryan would ask if he'd taken it, and couldn't sure if he had. Thinking of a tech solution, he ca...

If you're planning ahead and thinking about your health as you age, Tina Hall from Era Living joins Suzanne to talk about key questions someone should ask a senior living community. If you can, see their most recent state survey. You want to know the care is good, they're not making mistakes, they're doing things right. What's their turnover rate? Longevity means a better relationship with their r...

Tina Hall from Era Living has talked with Suzanne about different ways of thinking about your life, planning for your future for a time when you might not be able to care for yourself as you age, so you know what you want. But what about running out of money? The cost of care varies regionally, so you need to know what your needs are, how long you'll need care, and what things cost in your area. U...

After you've decided what you want later in life when you can't care for yourself, it's time to sit down with your family to get them on board. Telling them the benefits to you, how important your future is, is important. Tina Hall from Era Living joins Suzanne to talk about these considerations. Every family member wants what's best for their parents and kids. Everyone has an idea of what that lo...

Aging is an achievement. But a lot of people in their 50s, 60, and even their 70s often aren't thinking about what's going to happen with their health in the future. Tina Hall from Era Living joins Suzanne to talk about preparing for that future. Tina says, "Even if an individual is not sure if they ever want to move to a senior living community, it is a really good idea to educate yourself on wha...

Susan Strand joins Suzanne to talk about social connections, the robust and unique programming at Era Living . Susan is the Life Enrichment Director of University House Issaquah . "The fun team" is the group that provides the fun at the community, scheduling daily activities, personal transportation, and more. How do you begin, how do you plan? Era Living has a standard of activities that's a grea...

Peg Hall, a resident of Era Living 's Aljoya Thornton Place in Seattle, Washington, joins Suzanne to provide a resident's perspective of what a typical day is like at an Era Living retirement community. Peg is from New Jersey, lived around the country and in Japan, and ended up on the west coast. She first moved into independent living during the pandemic, and there weren't any activities because...

Marla Becker joins Suzanne to talk about Era Living , which has eight senior communities in the Seattle, King County area. Marla is Executive Director of the Aljoya Mercer Island community, located off the I-90 corridor with a beautiful walking garden area, a really comfortable space. It features independent living and assisted living. Marla talks about what to expect when you move in. Only the st...