Life Happens

In this episode, Kim has a conversation with a geriatrician about preventing financial abuse in the elderly. Dr. Liz is our guest to talk about this issue she has seen far too often. Title: Preventing Financial Elder Abuse Very First and Most Important: Get the Elder Evaluated for Mental Function! What If the Test Shows All Is Fine, But I Know It Isn’t? What Tests will a Neuropsychologist perform...

An occupational therapist with the right skills can help families caring for someone with dementia. Kim will speak to Lizette Cloete, an occupational therapist about a program called Skills2Care. A few questions Kim will be asking are: 1. How can an occupational therapist help someone with dementia? 2. What is Skills2Care and who will benefit from this program? 3. Where can I find an occupational...

A stroke can happen when you least expect it. And it can happen to someone in their 40’s and 50’s. The effects can be devastating for you and for those you love. But there is survival after a stroke. Today Kim will be visiting with Angie Burke the author of “Just Pick UP the Peg: A Nurse’s Journey Back From Stroke” They will discuss: 1. As a registered nurse, wife, and mother of two young adults,...

When talking of caregivers we often think of women. While many times the caregiving duties fall on the shoulders of a woman there are also many men who have stepped up to the plate. They care for spouses, parents, and others they love. Today Kim Hegwood has a conversation with a male caregiver, Eddie Orum about this topic. Male Caregiving … Caring Like a Man Talking Points: 1. How many males are c...

In the beginning stages, dementia can be especially challenging for the family. Often the person with dementia is in denial about their disease. Today Kim will have a conversation with Laura Wayman, The Dementia Whisperer about this challenge which is referred to as anosognosia. 1. Why do so many individuals with dementia symptoms refuse assistance or acknowledge that they need help? 2. What is An...

Medicare is complicated for most people. If you are caring for someone on Medicare, you need to know what type of Medicare plan they have and how it works. Today Kim will be speaking with professional Medicare expert Leeane Terrizzi to get: Your Medicare Questions Answered 1. Can you explain what is Medicare and why it's important? 2. Who is eligible for Medicare? 3. What are the Different Parts o...

When Medicare will pay for a service that will send a team in to help you care for someone would you say no? Today Kim will be joined by Kash Mahmood to discuss: The Most Underutilized Service Paid for By Medicare 1. What is hospice? 2. When should someone be placed on hospice? 3. If you think it may be time for hospice what should you do? 4. Can you choose which hospice company you want to use? 5...

One of our favorite caregiver resources is CarePartners a local non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of family caregivers. Kim Hegwood is joined by the new director of CarePartners, Katie Scott. The topic is: Caring for Our Caregivers Kim and Katie will discuss 1. Impact on COVID-19 on Houston Caregivers 2. Support Services Available to Caregivers 3. Overview of CarePartners Pr...

To stay in your own home or move? This is the million-dollar question that many seniors and their families struggle with. Kim will sit down with Realtor David Wood today to discuss the senior housing roadmap. Kim and David will talk about: 1. Selling Your Home- How to decide and what to do next 2. Staying in Your Home- What you should consider 3. Senior Housing Choices 4. Cost of Senior Housing 5....

The past year has been challenging for families and seniors. Today Kim will be discussing Post- Pandemic Senior Care. She will be joined by Ryan McEniff host of the Podcasts “The Caregiver's Toolbox” and the NAIPC's podcast “Conversations with Tara and Ryan”. What does it look like now? How has it changed? A few of the topics Kim and Ryan will be discussing are: 1. The cost of senior care increasi...

What do you do when your aging parents calls you multiple times a day even when you are at work? Today, we will be addressing common issues that families of aging adults often encounter. Kim will ask Dr. Koepp the following questions. 1. What are the signs that an aging parent may need more help than they realize (or that they are asking for?) 2. What Tips do you have for the adult caring for an a...

Join Kim Hegwood today for a fascinating conversation about life, death, and the role of a doula in the process. Kim will be joined today by Darren Nelson, a transition expert helping families with a loved one on that final journey. Title: Life Happens. Death Happens. A Conversation with an End of Life Doula Kim and Darren Will Discuss: How does an end-of-life doula differ from hospice and how the...

Heart Disease is one of the leading causes of death in seniors. It can also have other debilitation effects causing a lower quality of life. Kim Hegwood is joined by a Cardiologist and author of Be Heart Smart, Dr. Waqar Khan, MD, MPH, FACC. Today they will be discussing heart smart ideas every senior should know. Title: Learn to be Heart Smart Kim will be asking Dr. Khan: 1. An acronym that is of...

Today’s Life Happens Show will be about children, especially those on the spectrum. Kim Hegwood’s guest today will be speech pathologist Meera Ravel. Ms. Ravel’s company, Super Speech Solutions is dedicated to helping individuals with speech impediments or challenges overcome these difficulties. Kim and Meera’s conversation: Title: Speech Therapy – Could This be the Solution for Your Child? Kim wi...

When a senior can no longer drive it can pose a huge challenge for both them and their families. With a need to get to medical appointments, grocery stores, and other places finding reliable transportation is a must. Lashay Dupree, a social worker and the owner of Impaq Transportation and Community Services understands this need. After working for seniors and their families for years Lashay decide...

Keeping seniors active can help delay the progression of both physical and cognitive decline. Our guest today, Edward Craft is passionate about finding different ways to help seniors stay active and socially connected. Today’s Show: Unique Ways to Keep Seniors Active A Few Questions Kim Hegwood will be asking Edward Craft will be: 1. What is Eldergrow and how do you help this organization? 2. Can...

Nationally recognized speaker Teepa Snow will be our guest on the Life Happens Show with Kim Hegwood today. Teepa is an expert in the field of dementia and her Positive Approach to Care has helped thousands of families. Today Kim and Teepa will talk about : How to Know When it’s Time for a Move to Memory Care Kim will ask Teepa: 1. How do you know when it is time to move a loved one into a memory...

Helping patients live better with neurological disease is what Creative Neurology is all about. Kim Hegwood is joined today with Saba Shahid, Chief Smiling Officer of Creative Neurology. Kim and Saba will discuss: 1. How do you help patients live better? 2. What is Micrographia? 3. What resources do you have available for patients? 4. How can art impact a person living with a disability? Bio: Saba...

The Houston Area Parkinson's Society, called HAPS has a wealth of resources for patients with Parkinson's Disease and their families. Celeste Harris, Director of Social Services with HAPS  sits down with Kim Hegwood to discuss the resources her organization has to offer. They will discuss: 1. What is Parkinson's disease? 2. When should you ask for help? 3. As a caregiver of someone with PD, h...

If you are concerned about an aging loved one’s ability to drive safely, there are options to minimize conflict and provide acceptable transportation alternatives, resources, and a specific plan to ensure a smooth and successful transition from the driver’s seat to the passenger seat.  Today Kim Hegwood will be speaking with Jack Angel about a program that is a valuable tool in helping older...

When a child has disabilities it is natural for parents to worry about their future as an adult. Kim sits down with Cynda Green the Texas Parent to Parent Pathways to Adulthood Transition Coordinator to discuss the steps you need to take and when. Here are a few of the questions they will be exploring: What are some of the biggest struggles for families who have a young adult who is transitioning...

Today's topic is a hot one. With the winter storms, Texas experienced this past year and the upcoming hurricane season safety of seniors in long-term care facilities is on the top of mind for many families and professionals. Kim invites Greg Shelley,-Program Manager, Harris County Long-term Care Ombudsman Program at Cizik School of Nursing at UTHealth to talk about upcoming legislation that has be...

As the Alzheimer's Association gets ready to re-open their doors post-pandemic they reflect on lessons learned and how to move forward. Sabrina Strawn visits with Kim Hegwood about upcoming events and how the association will move forward. A few of the questions Kim will be asking are: 1. What's happening in June at the Alzheimer's Association (The Longest Day and the Caregiver Symposium)? 2. What...

Kim's guest today build an organization from a need she and many other parents had in her community. Cristen Reat, Co-founder of Bridging Apps, a division of Easter Seals provides resources, education, and information on apps and mobile devices to help people with disabilities target and improve skills to reach their highest levels of physical and cognitive development. Today Kim and Cristen will...

Having a child with special needs is a challenge. Making sure to advocate to help them get the best education and care is important. But often parents do not know where to begin. Kim Hegwood is delighted today to be joined by Mary Jane Williams, executive director of Family to Family Network, a parent organization in the Greater Houston area. Kim will ask Mary Jane the following: What is Family to...