Life Happens

Unexpected Conversations: "I thought we'd talk about automobiles, old cars, you know, this sort of thing, 57 Chevys. No. It took us to another place. He began to talk about his time in Vietnam during the war." ~ Tom Brenner, Gerontologist -Engaging with a Dementia PatientTitle: Engaging Dementia Patients Through Hands-On Montessori MethodsWelcome to another insightful episode of "Life Happens with...

Discovering Hidden Depths in Dementia Patients: "I remember I did a workshop in, Arkansas in a nursing home where I was training the caregivers in the dementia unit. And when they started working with this process, they were so amazed at how much they learned about the person who was a resident there. And they say, oh, I never even realized that Joan had all this in her, that all this stuff was go...

Parenting Challenges: "We might be handing off our car keys to our teenager, right, our newly minted driver, at the same time trying to wrestle keys from mom or dad because they shouldn’t be driving anymore."Title: Thriving in the Sandwich GenerationWelcome to another insightful episode of "Life Happens with Kim Hegwood." Today, we are thrilled to have Christy Yates, an accomplished author and psy...

Navigating VA Benefits for Home Care: "If someone is already on VA benefits, it usually takes just a phone call to the right person at the VA to get this, motion going to get home care started and paid for by the VA."Title: 3 Reasons You Need Home Care and Who Can Help You Pay for ItWelcome to another episode of Life Happens with your host, attorney Kim Hegwood of Your Legacy Legal Care. Today, we...

In this episode of Life Happens, Kim Hegwood sits down with Alexis Baker to explore the profound impact of music therapy on individuals living with dementia. Alexis explains what music therapy is and how it goes beyond simply listening to music. She shares why music resonates so deeply with individuals with dementia, even as other memories fade, and highlights research that reveals how music affec...

In this episode of Life Happens, Kim Hegwood speaks with Demi Rizzo about the essential role of caregiver training in navigating the progression of dementia. Demi, an expert in occupational therapy, explains how this form of therapy benefits the adult and geriatric population by promoting independence and improving quality of life. She introduces Brain Fit, a specialized treatment program for indi...

In this episode of Life Happens, Kim Hegwood is joined by Debra Berlyn to explore the intersection of AI, technology, and healthy aging. As technology rapidly evolves, Debra shares insights into how these advancements are shaping the lives of older adults and their caregivers. The discussion begins with a look at key statistics and unique characteristics of today’s aging population, providing cont...

In this episode of Life Happens, Kim Hegwood welcomes Zack Butler to discuss an important topic for veterans and their families: Are you leaving money on the table when it comes to veterans' benefits? Zack provides an overview of the various veterans' benefits available to those living in Texas and shares practical advice for navigating the often-overwhelming benefits process. He highlights common...

In this episode of Life Happens, host Kim Hegwood sits down with Michael Ritchie to discuss an important financial tool for retirees: reverse mortgages. Michael begins by breaking down what a reverse mortgage is in simple, easy-to-understand terms and addresses the misconceptions that often give them a bad reputation. Together, they explore scenarios where a reverse mortgage can be a smart option...

In this episode of Life Happens, host Kim Hegwood sits down with Zach Herbst to tackle an essential yet often misunderstood topic: life insurance. Zach begins by breaking down the purpose of life insurance and why it’s a critical part of financial and family planning. The discussion explores the different types of life insurance, helping listeners understand the options available and what might wo...

In this episode of Life Happens, host Kim Hegwood welcomes Christen Clayton Beckham to discuss the crucial topic of funeral pre-planning and how it can alleviate stress for families during difficult times. Christen begins by addressing the most important things to know when faced with a loved one’s passing and the steps involved in funeral planning. The conversation delves into veteran death benef...

In this insightful episode of Life Happens, host Kim Hegwood sits down with Joanna Wyckoff to explore the often-overlooked federal benefits available to veterans and how these can significantly enhance their quality of life as they age. Joanna discusses the most underutilized veteran benefits, detailing how they can support aging veterans during their later years. The conversation then shifts to s...

In this episode of Life Happens, host Kim Hegwood sits down with Christina Keys to explore the emotional journey of caregiver recovery after a loved one has passed. Christina shares her powerful story of caring for her mother and the deep impact of losing her father during that time, revealing the emotional challenges she faced as she balanced grief with caregiving responsibilities. As Christina r...

The biggest fear keeping people up at night? Running out of money! Increasing taxes and unpredictable medical costs aren't helping either. We need solid planning! 💸 #FinancialPlanning ~ Kym Harris Title: Long-Term Care- What You Need to Know Welcome to another episode of Life Happens with Kim Hegwood. In today’s episode, we're joined by Kym Harris of Rock Solid Retirement. Together, we tackle the...

"The thing with not relying solely on family and maybe going through an agency is that you're going to get someone. You're going to get consistent. If a caregiver has a problem and she can't come in there's someone else that's going to come in for you." ~ Donna Orozco Title: From Hospital to Home- The Role of Home Care Welcome to another insightful episode of "Life Happens with Kim Hegwood." Today...

In this special holiday episode of Life Happens, Kim Hegwood sits down with Michelle Reescano to discuss the unique challenges caregivers face during the holiday season and practical strategies to navigate them. Michelle explains why celebrations like Christmas, Hanukkah, and other festivities can increase stress for caregivers, especially those supporting loved ones with dementia. She shares valu...

In this episode of Life Happens, host Kim Hegwood is joined by Lori Spradlin to discuss the subtle yet important signs that aging parents may need more assistance and support. Lori begins by explaining the importance of allowing aging parents to maintain their independence with everyday tasks, even when adult children are eager to help. She outlines key red flags to look for in the home environmen...

In this episode of Life Happens, host Kim Hegwood sits down with Loretta Veney to discuss the crucial role of advocating for aging parents. Loretta shares why advocacy from adult children is so important and how to recognize when it’s time to step in to support your parent’s needs. She provides invaluable tips on how to communicate effectively with doctors and medical staff, ensuring your loved on...

In this episode of Life Happens, Kim Hegwood is joined by Melissa Batchelor to discuss an essential topic for families: How to Choose a Quality Nursing Home. Melissa shares her expert advice on what families should look for when selecting a nursing home, starting with the key factors that define quality care and the types of services provided to those who qualify. Together, they cover the various...

In this heartfelt episode of Life Happens, Kim Hegwood sits down with Laurette Foggini to discuss ways to keep children connected to grandparents or loved ones living with dementia. Laurette shares insights into the challenges that prevent families from being fully present, even when they want to stay engaged. She offers guidance on when and how to introduce the topic of dementia to children, help...

In this episode of Life Happens, Kim Hegwood is joined by Sally Casey to explore the evolving world of senior living, focusing on luxury and innovation within Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs). Sally begins by explaining the CCRC model, including details on whether residents purchase their apartment or pay a monthly fee. She dives into how luxury senior living providers are redefining...

In this episode of Life Happens, host Kim Hegwood welcomes guest Sal Scibilia to discuss the critical roles of a Certified Real Estate Probate Professional and a Certified Senior Transition Specialist. Sal begins by explaining what it means to hold these certifications and walks through the certification process required to become a Real Estate Probate Professional. The conversation explores the u...

In this episode of Life Happens, host Kim Hegwood sits down with Laura Wayman to discuss the importance of routine and structure for dementia patients and their caregivers. Laura begins by sharing five key benefits of establishing a routine for someone with dementia, explaining how it promotes stability and reduces confusion for patients. The conversation then turns to how a routine can also help...

This week on Life Happens, host Kim Hegwood welcomes Annalee Kruger to discuss the importance of having an Aging Plan and how it can make a world of difference for families and caregivers. Annalee starts by explaining how an Aging Plan can help prevent caregiver burnout by addressing needs and expectations early, reducing the stress that often comes with unexpected situations. The conversation als...

In this week's episode of Life Happens, host Kim Hegwood sits down with Christine Catoggio to explore how retirement has evolved and how individuals can embrace this new chapter of life! Christine begins by discussing why retirement today is vastly different from that of previous generations, touching on the changing dynamics and expectations of modern retirees. Beyond finances, Christine high...