SeniorLivingGuide.com Podcast

In this episode, we welcome back Rita Shula, Senior Director of Caregiving at the AARP Public Policy Institute, for an insightful discussion about the staggering economic and social impact of family caregiving in America. Rita shares the latest findings from the AARP’s "Valuing the Invaluable" report, revealing that family caregivers in the U.S. provided 50 billion hours of unpaid care i...

In this episode, we welcome Lisa Johnson, a seasoned dietitian with Homestyle Direct , to uncover the science and strategies behind the MIND Diet—a unique combination of the Mediterranean and DASH diets proven to support brain health and reduce the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s. Darleen and Lisa  break down the staggering statistics around dementia in the U.S., and explore why people living in...

In this episode, we delve into the advances, myths, and realities of knee and joint replacement with Dr. David William Fabi, a board-certified, fellowship-trained joint replacement specialist and internationally recognized pioneer in the field.  Darleen, the host,  engages Dr. Fabi in a dynamic conversation about why the frequency of knee replacements is increasing, the influence of the baby boome...

In this episode, we tackle the often-overlooked but critical topic of elder abuse with guest Doni Green, who leads the North Central Texas Area Agency on Aging. With over two decades of experience administering federal programs for older adults and family caregivers, Doni brings invaluable insight into the complexities of abuse, neglect, and exploitation affecting seniors. Host Darleen Mahoney gui...

In this engaging episode, we dive into the topic of ageism, challenging stereotypes and society’s expectations around growing older with the dynamic Ande Lyons—a four-time founder, global startup mentor, and host of the “Don’t Be Caged by Your Age” podcast. Ande Lyons, now 69, shares her personal experiences as a tech-savvy serial podcaster and pro-aging advocate, emphasizing the need to be visibl...

Join us as we delve into the intricate world of dementia caregiving with guest Nancy Treaster, a certified caregiving consultant, who co-founded Caregiver's Journey after navigating dementia care within her own family.  Listeners will gain clarity on the distinctions among the major types of dementia—Alzheimer's, vascular, frontotemporal, and Lewy Body—as Nancy breaks down how symptoms d...

Host Darleen Mahoney chats with dietitians Lisa Johnson from Homestyle Direct and Kelee Hansen, owner of S&S Nutrition , to dish on the new USDA guidelines and what eating well actually looks like after 60. With tons of experience in the nutrition world, Lisa and Kelee share easy tips and real-life stories about how your plate needs to change as you get older. With practical suggestions—like c...

Listen to this episode as our host Darleen, invites Joel Lourie, founder of Lourie Life and Health, to break down one of the most complicated and important topics for seniors: Medicare.  Joel unpacks the essential differences between Medicare Part A, Part B, supplemental plans like Plan G, and Medicare Advantage options, addressing why so many people find Medicare overwhelming and how to avoid com...

The SeniorLivingGuide.com Podcast welcomes bestselling author and retirement happiness expert Tom Marks for an enlightening conversation about embracing individualism in retirement. Drawing on personal stories, thought-provoking quotes, and decades of professional experience, Tom Marks shares how retirees can shed societal expectations and rediscover their unique identities after a lifetime define...

Is inflammation at the root of your daily aches or chronic health hurdles? In this episode, host Darleen Mahoney sits down with Dr. Sabrina Russ , a geriatric pharmacist and wellness coach, for a down-to-earth chat about what inflammation actually is and why it matters as we age. Forget the medical jargon—we’re breaking down how simple shifts in diet, hydration, and stress management can make a ma...

In this episode of the SeniorLivingGuide.com Podcast, host Darleen Mahoney is joined by Master Deputy Jeffrey Merry, Sun City Center Community Resource Deputy with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office and AARP’s 2024 Fraud Fighter of the Year . Together, they take a deep dive into the world of scams targeting seniors—a pressing, ever-evolving issue with staggering financial and emotional impac...

In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Gerda Maissel, a board-certified physician and private patient advocate, for an in-depth conversation about urinary tract infections (UTIs) in older adults and why UTI's are dangerous for elderly. Drawing on her clinical expertise and advocacy background, Dr. Maissel explains why seniors are at higher risk for UTIs and what sets their experiences apart fr...

Join host Darleen Mahoney as she welcomes bestselling author and ThePeacefulRetiree.com editor-in-chief Tom Marks for an honest and engaging conversation about finding fulfillment in retirement. Drawing from his acclaimed book, Coming of Age in Retirement , Tom Marks shares the challenges he faced after leaving a high-powered career in advertising—including losing his identity and tackling the “ha...

In this illuminating episode, host Darleen Mahoney welcomes Rita Shula, Senior Director of Caregiving at the AARP Public Policy Institute, for an in-depth discussion about the dramatic rise in family caregivers across America—a trend revealed by AARP’s latest research. Together, they unpack the staggering statistic that one in four adults now provides some form of caregiving, exploring the forces...

In this episode, we tackle the age-old debate of fresh versus frozen produce with two expert guests who bring real-world insights to your kitchen. Lisa Johnson, corporate dietitian for Homestyle Direct , and Maddie Ehrlich, Boise account manager for Simplot, join host Darleen Mahoney to bust myths and share practical wisdom about maximizing nutrition while minimizing waste and cost. You'll di...

In this episode, we sit down with Chandler Burckbuchler, Senior Division Manager and Marketing Manager for Terra Bella Senior Living , to discuss the critical warning signs families should watch for when visiting aging loved ones during the holidays. Chandler explains why the weeks following Thanksgiving and Christmas are traditionally the busiest times for senior living inquiries, as extended fam...

In this episode, we explore the emotional complexities of navigating grief during the holiday season with Amber Stanley, a licensed social worker and author of Everyday Life and Loss Grief Workbook . Amber brings her expertise from years of hospice work and bereavement counseling to help listeners understand why holidays can be particularly challenging when dealing with loss, explaining how the co...

In this episode, we dive deep into the world of anxiety with expert Bonnie Brindle, author of 'Cracking the Crazy Makers'. Bonnie shares her insights on the rising prevalence of anxiety in society, particularly among seniors and caregivers. We explore the various causes of anxiety, from hereditary factors to environmental influences, and discuss how it manifests in our daily lives. Our c...

In this episode, we dive into the complex world of senior real estate with Jody Epstein, a Senior Real Estate Specialist from Windermere Real Estate . With 20 years of experience, Jody shares invaluable insights on navigating the emotional and financial challenges seniors face when making significant housing decisions. We explore the delicate balance between emotional attachments and practical nee...

In this episode, we dive into the world of senior care communication with Justen Spirk, CEO of How's Mom . We explore the emotional challenges families face when placing loved ones in senior communities and how improved communication can alleviate concerns and guilt. Justen and Darleen discuss the importance of bridging the communication gap between senior communities and families. Often, the...

In this episode, we dive into the fascinating world of cognitive health with Dr. Mitchell Clionsky, a board-certified clinical neuropsychologist specializing in memory disorders assessment. Our host, Darleen Mahoney, explores a recent study on lifestyle interventions for cognitive health, presented at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference. Dr. Clionsky offers a critical analysi...

In this episode, we dive into the world of patient empowerment and personalized healthcare with Dr. Gina Siddiqui MD,  founder and CEO of CARTE Medica l. Dr. Siddiqui shares invaluable insights on how seniors can become active participants in their medical care, from communicating effectively with doctors to understanding the nuances of personalized medicine. We explore real-life examples of how p...

In this episode, we dive into the critical issue of food insecurity with Katie Hilliard, Director of Healthcare Partnerships at Homestyle Direct . Katie breaks down the complex concepts of food swamps and food deserts, explaining how these environments impact access to nutritious food and, consequently, overall health. We explore the startling statistic that 1 in 7 Americans faces food insecurity,...

In this episode, we dive into the world of medical alert devices where many of us remember the commercial, "Help, I've fallen and I can't get up". It can be a stigma that is hard to shake, but the truth is that modern medical alert devices are light-years ahead of the devices advertised in these commercials, etched in our memories. We are joined by Laura Aiello, Vice President...

In this episode, we dive into the world of family-owned and smaller senior living communities with Frank Evegan, Chief Operating Officer at Spring Oak Senior Living . Frank shares invaluable insights on what makes these intimate communities unique and why they might be the perfect fit for your loved ones. We explore the benefits of smaller senior living facilities, from personalized care plans to...