Senior Matters Podcast

Tune in to hear Mark along with Kristen Tracy, Megan Kelly, and Sophie Loya talk about care coordination from Blue Cross of Idaho. They help patients who are dual-eligible for Medicaid and Medicare get the care and services they need in their communities.

Mark is joined by Cash Edwards who gives a primer on in-home care and the difference between activities of daily living (ADLs) and home health. Tune into hear why it's important to keep this in mind as you consider aging in place for yourself or your loved one.

Join Mark and Catherine Owens as they address something that affects senior and other every winter: isolation and loneliness. This year, these feelings are likely to be amplified as we all try to stay well and protect the vulnerable around us.

After a hearty reception at our No Place Like Home conference, Officer Fritz is back to share more information about fraud and scam prevention among the elderly. Protect yourself and those you love with this current information.

Join in our relaunch of the Senior Matters Radio podcast with our special guest Dee Childers. Dee is a Professional Aging Life Care™ Manager and the owner of Life Changes Elder Care Consulting. She works with families as they address many of the issues associated with aging, medical care, home health, and the family dynamics of making those decisions.

You may think that elder abuse is rare in Idaho, but Raul Enriquez, of Area 3 Senior Services Agency, sets the record straight. Raul explains A3SSA and how the agency investigates allegations of elder abuse and neglect. He continues the discussion with Scott and Mark about what counts as elder abuse and how to recognize it.

Bill Poulson, Director of Client Services, gets on the phone with Mark and Scott to share recent questions from potential clients about estate planning and to talk about common issues in planning ahead. From probate to DIY planning, Bill has been asked about it all. Check out this episode to hear about the most recent concerns in estate planning.

In the second part of Carly Ward's investigation into "Do-It-Yourself" wills and estate planning, Mark and Scott learn more about the confusing, and often tiring, process of using a one-size-fits-all planning program.

On Armed Forces Day, Mark Wight talks about 3 things that veterans can do to secure their estate planning and better access the VA support. Listen to this episode for advice to veterans, including discussion about navigating the VA Pension Benefits. Idaho Estate Planning is deeply grateful for our veterans and active-duty military personnel. Thank you for your service!

Continuing last week's topic of planning and memory care, Eric Collett, Principal and CEO of "A Mind for All Seasons", gives our listeners some concrete steps they can take to improve their lives right now and better care for their cognitive health. This episode focuses on nutrition and how an improvement in diet can benefit our health right now as well as in the long term.

Mark Wight talks with Scott about Mother's Day and the powerful women in their lives. He explains how estate planning can be done specifically for women and by women.

Carly Ward joins Mark and Scott during this episode to discuss what she's discovered about "Do-It-Yourself" wills and estate planning. She compares different programs that supposedly offer a more affordable alternative to traditional estate planning; however, Carly learned that you get what you pay for. Listen to this episode to learn about the shortcomings in DIY estate planning, like lack of cus...

Eric Collett, Principal and CEO of "A Mind for All Seasons", joins Mark and Scott to discuss how planning is important for those facing Alzheimer's and dementia. Eric talks about the novel coronavirus and how discovering and coping with COVID-19 has similarities with discovering and coping with dementia. In both cases, preparation and information are the key to being proactive, rather than reactiv...

Mark visits with Scott over the phone, in compliance with social-distancing, about how we all can adapt our caregiving and relationships during the novel coronavirus. We have technology to help us find creative ways to continue to support our loved ones and avoid putting life on pause. The Idaho Estate Planning team is prepared to accommodate its clients so that they don't have to put off importan...

This week's guest on Senior Matters Radio is Dee Childers, Professional Aging Life Care Manager and owner of Life Changes Elder Care Consulting, LLC. With Mark and Scott, she discusses what elder care management is and how families can benefit from it.

Dr. Louise Ye-Liew joins Mark and Scott in the studio to discuss COVID-19, the novel coronavirus on everyone's minds. Supported by her medical expertise and years of experience, she offers advice and reassurance during this stressful time. She has opened her own practice in Meridian, Idaho and is still practicing telemedicine to ensure her patients, old and new, have access to quality medical care...

On Leap Day, Carly Ward and Mark Wight both discuss with Scott some of the reasons to plan for your sweetheart. In the spirit of Valentines, they look at how having any plan (rather than no plan at all) or, even better, an intentional plan in place can ensure that your sweetheart continues to be supported even after you're gone.

Mark and Carly take a look at some of the mistaken beliefs about elder law, with many of these ideas coming from other attorneys themselves. Get some clarity on the subject with this episode of Senior Matters Radio!

Mark is joined in the studio by two marines, Jesse Besonen and Travis Farber, who now work in hospice care and pay extra attention to our wonderful veterans who need their services. They discuss the importance of taking care of our veterans and some of the ways Keystone Hospice serves and honors these seniors. Check it out!

This week's episode focuses on awareness and planning for illnesses and disabilities that aren't obvious. Madison Moss, the Community Relations Coordinator for Idaho Estate Planning, joins Mark and Scott in the studio. She has Dysautonomia and Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, but appears healthy on the outside. They talk about how you can't always determine a disability by its visibility, and h...

Though not obvious at first, making your end of life decisions can be a wonderful gift for your sweetheart and loved ones. It's a thoughtful way to protect those you love even after you're gone. In this episode, Mark goes into depth about why the hard work to make these decisions is so important. He discusses with Scott the variety of decisions that can you can make for yourself before communicati...

There is a lot in the news about the Coronavirus. It can be difficult to sift through it all. On this episode, Mark talks with an infectious disease expert about the Coronavirus and discusses what you need to know about taking care of yourself during this time.

On January 1st, 2020, new federal legislation concerning Americans' retirement was enacted. It's called the "Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act," or the SECURE Act for short. In this episode, Mark Wight explains this new act and how it affects your retirement. You'll want to stay updated; don't miss this episode!

Jake Higgins joins Mark and Scott today to explain his specialty: making your home more accessible with ShelfGenie. This brilliant solution could help you and your loved ones go about your daily lives more easily, with less strain on your body. Give this episode a listen to hear more!

Carly Ward and Mark Wight explore even more estate planning fails by celebrities, including a Supreme Court Justice, on Senior Matters Radio. Check out this episode, it's sure to be a fun one!