Neighbors in the Nest

When families hear the word hospice , one of the biggest questions isn’t “what is it?” — it’s “what actually happens next?” In this first part of a multi-episode conversation, we sit down with Mariah Schmitz from Care Initiatives Hospice to begin unpacking what hospice really looks like in everyday life. In Part 1, we focus on the foundation: Who makes up the hospice team How those roles work toge...

In Parts 1 and 2, we followed the journey—what led up to the decision and what it looked like after the move. In this final part of the conversation, we focus on reflection. What does it look like to step back after everything has settled? What has changed—not just for his father, but for him as a son? And what would he say to someone who is standing exactly where he once was? In this episode, we...

In Part 1, we heard the weight of the decision—what it felt like to recognize that something needed to change and the emotions that came with it. In this episode, we continue the conversation. Part 2 focuses on what happened after the move: What surprised him once his father settled in What he worried about that didn’t happen What was harder—and what was easier—than expected And how this decision...

Helping a parent move into senior living is rarely a simple decision. In this episode of Neighbors in the Nest , we sit down with an adult son to talk about his experience navigating that process—from what life looked like before the move, to the emotions that came with making the decision, to what actually happened after his father settled in. This is an honest conversation about: The weight of r...

After visiting a senior living community, many families walk away with the same thought: “I don’t know how to explain it, but it just felt right.” In this episode of Neighbors in the Nest , we explore what families are actually noticing in those moments—and why those instincts matter. From how staff interact, to how residents seem to feel, to the overall atmosphere of a space, this conversation he...

Leadership in senior living is not just about operations or plans. It is about people. In this episode of Neighbors in the Nest , we sit down with Erin Good, the Executive Director of Parker Place, for a conversation centered on employee culture, connection, and what it means to lead with people in mind. Rather than focusing on titles or resumes, this episode explores Erin’s approach to creating a...

When people think about aging and senior living, they often expect this chapter of life to feel heavy or full of loss. But that is not always the reality. In this episode of Neighbors in the Nest , we talk about why this stage of life can be more positive, connected, and fulfilling than many families expect. Rather than focusing on fear or uncertainty, this conversation highlights the relief, supp...

For many families, the hardest part of navigating aging is not making a decision. It is deciding when to stop waiting. Waiting often feels like the safest option. It avoids uncomfortable conversations, preserves routines, and allows life to continue as it is. Most of the time, waiting does not even feel like a decision at all. In this episode of Neighbors in the Nest , we explore why waiting feels...

Why Neighbors in the Nest Exists Before diving into conversations about senior living, care, and decision-making, this episode takes a step back to explain why Neighbors in the Nest exists and who these conversations are really for. Most families don’t begin thinking about senior living because everything is going well. They start because something has changed. A fall, a missed medication, a growi...