Valerie Lynn Borgman
Desperately Seeking Senior Living
For all the sons, daughters, grandkids, spouses and ALL caregivers who suddenly find themselves tangled in the search for senior living and care. We’re interviewing real families who have been through the process. We’re talking tips, red tape and industry speak. Let us help you go from desperate to doable!
Author
Valerie Lynn Borgman
Category
Podcast website
Latest episode
Jul 9, 2026
Where to listen?
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Episodes
Early Alzheimer’s and Refusing Help with Jennifer Fink - Ep 46 02.05.2022 35:43
Do you have one parent with Alzheimer’s and the other one, their spouse… just won’t accept any help? Do you wonder if you’re going to get Alzheimer's too? I’m so excited to welcome Jennifer Fink….host of the Fading Memories Podcast…helping families and caregivers through their Alzheimer’s journey… today Jen is sharing her story. CLICK HERE for our DOABLE DOWNLOAD with FULL SHOW NOTES Follow us on...
Denial, Therapeutic Lying and Transitional Trauma with Jodi - Ep 45 25.04.2022 34:27
How do you get your loved one help when they insist they don't need it? What are some signs that it's time to make some really tough decisions about moving? We're excited to welcome back Jodie Condie Finney, DPT and Co-Founder/Director of the Caregiver Club to share her family's story of her mom's journey through Alzheimer's. CLICK HERE for our DOABLE DOWNLOAD with FULL SHOW NOTES Follow us on INS...
Legacy Songwriting for Families Facing Dementia with Hannah Pyett - Ep 44 18.04.2022 18:56
Ever wished you took more pictures or asked ore questions before your loved one passed? Do you think about your own legacy and what you want your loved one's to know about you? This week Music Therapist, Hannah Pyett with Chords of Compassion is back! We're exploring leaving a legacy through SONGWRITING! Don't worry...you don't even have to carry a tune! CLICK HERE for our DOABLE DOWNLOAD with FUL...
Easier Outings with Someone Living with Alzheimer’s with Alicia and Jodie - Ep 43 11.04.2022 20:11
Are you getting anxious just thinking about taking your loved one out to dinner? Or have you stopped going out at all? Today we've got a great tool to help you have a better outing!! I'm so excited to welcome cousins Alicia & Jodie to talk about their company, The Caregiver Club. They help you communicate discreetly with those you're interacting with....letting them know that you're with someo...
Managing Pain and Anxiety Through Music with Hannah Pyett - Ep 42 04.04.2022 15:23
Pain...Something we've all experienced and when we think about managing pain....Medication is the go to... But What about alternatives? Today we're talking with Board-Certified Music Therapist Hannah Pyett about using music to manage pain and reduce stress and anxiety. Recognizing your loved one's pain signals if they're non-verbal or assisting after a surgery. A simple playlist...a big impact! CL...
Caring for a Spouse with Alzheimer’s with Johnathon Gersen - Ep 41 28.03.2022 13:58
Studies have shown that caring for those who have Alzheimer’s is one of the most difficult caregiving jobs. Watching your loved one decline…you lose them as they lose themselves….Today I'm excited to welcome back licensed mental health counselor and Alzheimer’s specialist, Jonathon Gerson who cared for his husband for 6 years. It started with cancer then progressed to Alzheimer’s. Today Jonathan s...
How to Connect with Someone Living with Alzheimer’s with Johnathon Gersen - Ep 40 21.03.2022 16:43
That moment you realize you can no longer communicate with your loved one the way you used to can be the most difficult part of the Alzheimer's journey. Today we’re talking with licensed mental health counselor and Alzheimer’s specialist Jonathon Gerson. Jonathon works not only with family’s but with those suffering from Alzheimer’s and dementia. Celebrating the memories they still have. We’re tal...
Alzheimer’s, Travel, Guilt, and Family Dynamics with Mike and Liz - Ep 39 14.03.2022 34:04
What do you do when you need to move your loved one with Alzheimer’s closer to you? Dealing with family members you’ve never even met? Not to mention all that guilt everyone is feeling. How do you get them to agree to move? What’s that flight going to look like? In this episode, Mike and Liz share their story about a very long flight from Virginia to Seattle and finally finding the right care envi...
Understanding a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) Order - Ep 38 07.03.2022 7:34
We talk a lot about advocating for others...but what about advocating for yourself? Making your end of life wishes known is extremely important. If you've moved your loved one into a senior living community you were probably asked about this. In this episode, I share my grandfather's story. Not an easy subject but definitely an important one. CLICK HERE for our DOABLE DOWNLOAD with FULL SHOW NOTES...
Transfer Trauma in Alzheimer’s with Kelly Allen - Ep 37 28.02.2022 22:11
Are you totally into routines? Did that first day on the job or move to a new city…shake you up…just a bit? Now imagine someone with memory loss…very often they’ve created a safe space within very familiar routines. Today Kelly and I are talking about Alzheimer’s and transitions including spotting stress and tips for a smooth transition. CLICK HERE for our DOABLE DOWNLOAD with FULL SHOW NOTES Fol...
What Does Rest Actually Look Like for Caregivers? with Kelly Allen - Ep 36 21.02.2022 16:09
Are you actually able to to walk away from those dirty dishes and take a Saturday all to yourself? What about even just a couple of hours away from caregiving? Today we're looking at 4 steps to move closer to real rest...so grab your favorite drink and relax! CLICK HERE for our DOABLE DOWNLOAD with FULL SHOW NOTES Follow us on INSTAGRAM for more doable tips! Would you like to share your stor...
The True Cost of Caring for Someone with Dementia with Kelly Allen - Ep 35 14.02.2022 20:15
What’s the true cost of caring for someone with dementia..…your health? Your job? Your family? Balancing your wish to care for your loved one (which may have been their biggest request) with caring for yourself can be daunting. In this episode, we’re looking at ALL the costs of care and some choices you may have. CLICK HERE for our DOABLE DOWNLOAD with FULL SHOW NOTES Follow us on INSTAGRAM fo...
Toilet Challenges in Senior Living and Care with Maria Lindberg - Ep 34 07.02.2022 20:06
Does your loved one complain of back pain? Have they had a recent surgery or fall? These are signs that they might be having trouble in the bathroom! I'm so excited to welcome Maria Lindbergh, Occupational Therapist and owner of Stay At Home Solutions to Talk A-Booty It! Also the title of her class on bathroom techniques to help keep your loved one's safe and independent longer. Don't miss this e...
When to Consider a Residential Care Home with Chuck Bongiovanni - Ep 33 31.01.2022 17:07
Adult Care Homes - Don't know what they are? Then listen in! Heard of them but not entirely sure what to expect? Don't miss this episode! We're talking about Residential Care Homes...known by many names including Adult Family Homes and simply... Care Homes. We're also talking through when it might be the right fit. I'm so excited to welcome Chuck Bongiovanni, founder of the largest national senior...
Burnout, Therapy, and Caregiving During Covid with Kelly Allen - Ep 32 24.01.2022 17:43
If you've worked in healthcare or have a loved one in senior care then you won't want to miss this episode! Kelly is sharing her experience working in memory care and behavioral health during Covid. She details her burnout, the therapy that helped and the break she had to take for her own self care. We also have some exciting news we share in this episode! Don't miss it! CLICK HERE for our DOABL...
Touring Assisted Living and Transitioning to Memory Care with Rosie Mankes - Ep 31 17.01.2022 31:25
You're tasked with caring for your loved one, finding the right senior living and care but you're also working, raising your children or dealing with your own health issues. This week we're talking with Author Rosie Mankes about the year she moved her mom into assisted living, lost her brother and fought cancer. Don't miss her inspiring story along with so many great tips for transitioning to memo...
The Memory Care Move: What Families Should Expect - Ep 30 10.01.2022 11:28
Can we all agree that moving is the worst? But what about a memory care move? Even harder! I don't know one single family that wasn't a little nervous about moving their loved one from home to memory care or assisted living. So today we're going to take a look at some strategies and examples to hopefully help. Check out our doable download below for all the strategies as well as a bonus tip! CLI...
The Emotional Side of Moving to Senior Living with Tina Baril - Ep 29 03.01.2022 16:26
Moving from your home of 40+ years, downsizing your life and your memories...to move to senior living? It's no wonder it's a difficult conversation and a difficult task. Today we're talking with Tina Baril of Monarch Transitions about the emotions involved, tips and how to ease your move. Don't forget to check out our doable download for a bonus tip from Tina! CLICK HERE for our DOABLE DOWNLOAD...
Caregiver Burnout and Saying Goodbye with Kelly Allen - Ep 28 27.12.2021 34:27
Knowing your loved one's wishes is one thing...watching them decline and wrestling with the realization that you may not be able to grant those wishes... is another. Today, Kelly shares her family's story of watching her grandparents decline, having that difficult conversation when they could no longer stay home and saying goodbye. CLICK HERE for our DOABLE DOWNLOAD with FULL SHOW NOTES Follow...
Moving Day to Senior Living: What to Expect - Ep 27 20.12.2021 15:28
Moving day usually brings stress, uncertainty and lots of questions! Today we're answering your questions about moving day. From rules to what not to forget....check out our doable download for the full list of questions. Then listen in! CLICK HERE for our DOABLE DOWNLOAD with FULL SHOW NOTES Follow us on INSTAGRAM for more doable tips! Have more questions about moving day? Email us! familyt...
Stay Home or Move to Senior Living? with Sherrel Caprio - Ep 26 13.12.2021 17:35
What's the true cost of continuing to live at home? The cost of upkeep? The cost of home modifications? The cost of caregivers? In this episode we're looking at the true cost of home ownership vs the value of an independent living community. We're joined by Sherrel Caprio of Solstice Senior Living. If you're wrestling with these questions, don't miss this episode! CLICK HERE for our DOABLE DOWNL...
Out-of-State Caregiving and the Tough Conversations It Brings with Peter Gallagher - Ep 25 06.12.2021 26:24
If you live far away from your aging parents, you may have found yourself not only having difficult conversations with your parents about aging, safety and power of attorney but chances are you've had difficult conversations with yourself about moving. Are you moving closer? Should you move your parents closer? In this episode, we're welcoming back previous guest Peter Gallagher to tell his family...
When Does In-Home Care Actually Make Sense? with Margaret Vander Hyden - Ep 24 29.11.2021 15:06
When might you need in-home care and what exactly can they do for you? How much or how little can you sign up for? We're so excited to welcome Margaret Vander Hyden of Family Resource Home Care to the show! We're talking all things in-home care. Find out more about the show and our guest by clicking on our doable download. CLICK HERE for our DOABLE DOWNLOAD with FULL SHOW NOTES Follow us on IN...
Can You Compare the Cost of Assisted Living Apples to Apples? - EP 23 22.11.2021 11:41
If you've ever tried to compare assisted living pricing you've probably been a little frustrated. The truth is....it looks more like apples to oranges...Today we're looking at why it can be so difficult and some strategies for making it a little easier. Don't forget to check out our doable download for a bonus tip! CLICK HERE for our DOABLE DOWNLOAD with FULL SHOW NOTES Follow us on INSTAGRAM...
What to Say During That First Call to a Senior Living Community - Ep 22 15.11.2021 9:14
If you've already made several first phone calls to several senior living communities....that's ok! This episode can still help you save time and get you the information you need! In this episode I outline why it can take so many phone calls and so much time to find the right fit and offer some strategies to help you in your search. Check out our doable download for everything we talk about in thi...
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