Honestly Aging by Friends Life Care VigR®

On this episode of Honestly Aging by Friends Life Care VigR®, we’re joined by Emily Gavin, a dementia care expert, occupational therapist, and caregiver coach to discuss: The significance of occupational therapy in dementia care.  Practical strategies for caregivers to handle common challenges like repetitive questioning and resistance to care.  Tailored advice for caregivers to manage their stres...

“The time to repair the roof is when the sun is shining,” John F. Kennedy. Preparing for late-life care can be daunting and filled with topics no one particularly wants to talk about. Ellen Donovan, founder of One Life Consulting, has spent her career having these conversations with older adults and their loved ones. On this episode of Honestly Aging by Friends Life Care VigR®, Ellen offers guidan...

54 million Americans, half of all adults age 50 and older, are at risk of breaking a bone and should be concerned about bone health.*  On this episode of Honestly Aging by Friends Life Care VigR®, Darshan Bhatt joins us to share insights into bone health and how we can take proactive steps to ensure strong and healthy bones as we age. In our discussion, we cover a range of topics:  Overview of Bon...

Join us as we delve into the world of in-home health rehab and physical therapy with Darshan Bhatt, Founder and President of Namaste Rehab. Darshan, a trained physical therapist, recognized the pressing need for accessible therapy services for older adults during the COVID pandemic, leading him to establish Namaste Rehab with the motto, "Why go to the clinic if the clinic can come to you!" Through...

Throughout his life and career, Fred Dawson has reinvented himself again and again.  Fred spent his first career with the Dupont company as a professional engineer in various engineering assignments. Moving on, he started his own consulting company and then had a third career in architectural design and building residential homes. Now in his retirement, Fred’s discovered his passion for writing. F...

Despite being associated with childhood, bullying is not limited to adolescence. In fact, it can persist throughout life and take on new, often subtle forms as we age. On this episode of Honestly Aging by Friends Life Care VigR®, Kathy Rusch, a medical advocate with the Women’s Center of Montgomery County, joins us for a candid conversation that uncovers the hidden world of bullying that affects o...

Technology can support older adults who stay at home as they age. It can provide a safer environment, help maintain independence, and provide peace of mind for loved ones. On this episode of Friends Life Care VigR®, Akshita Iyer, who is the CEO and founder of Ome, a technology company that built the world’s first Smart Stove Knob to make cooking safer, easier, and more enjoyable, joins me to discu...

The Alexander Technique is a powerful tool for change. By revealing harmful habits and redirecting them into optimal functioning, this method can help restore comfort, power, and ease in your everyday activities. On this episode of Honestly Aging by Friends Life Care VigR®, Ariel Weiss, a teaching member of Alexander Technique International shares the many benefits of the practice, especially as i...

After practicing medicine for over 20 years, Dr. Carolyn Trend transitioned to a career in health advocacy, where she now specializes in working with middle-aged and older adults and their caregivers.  Throughout her career, Carolyn saw how complex and frustrating the healthcare system can be.    On today’s episode of Honestly Aging by Friends Life Care VigR®, she shares her professional and perso...

As we age, our bodies and minds go through many changes. So, how can we stay fit as we get older?   Vaia Lappas-Gilchrist, M.Ed., DTR, CWP, CHWC, joins us for this important topic. She covers ways to maintain an active lifestyle as we age, why physical activity is so important for older adults, and demos five exercises she recommends for any body.  As always, check with your doctor before starting...

Sara Pilling spent her encore career as a standardized patient. This experience taught her how to talk to healthcare providers and advocate more effectively for herself.  Jennifer Schwartz, Sara’s Friends Life Care Wellness Coordinator, joins this episode of Honestly Aging by Friends Life Care VigR for a co-interview. We learn what a standardized patient is, essential skills for this field of work...

How can you live an intentional life, and what exactly does that mean, especially regarding aging? On this episode of Honestly Aging by Friends Life Care VigR®, Autumn Nessler, a Certified Retirement Options Coach, shares how to live an intentional life through successful transition planning and looking beyond the financial side of retirement. Autumn Nessler specializes in assisting Women to Reinv...

Hospice care can bring up feelings of fear and apprehension. It doesn’t have to, though. In fact, hospice care can be a time of support, connection, and peace.   Shawn Schmitt discusses how hospice provides a whole system approach to end-of-life care. She also covers the practical and emotional sides of death and dying, dispels myths about hospice care, and normalizes the experience.   Shawn is th...

There can be both practical and emotional sides to moving. Sarah Forti and Gina Bass of Forti homes work with clients on both. Listen along as we discuss the lifecycle of moving, including buying, selling, and considerations specific to older adults and solo agers.  Sarah Forti is a lifetime resident of the Philadelphia and Main Line area with over 16 years of real estate experience and the founde...

Aging in place takes more than just planning for future care needs. The administrative and organizational components of maintaining a home must also be considered.  On this episode of Honestly Aging by Friends Life Care VigR®, Bode Hennegan, the Founder and President of Life Managers & Associates discusses the importance of bill paying, paperwork, home maintenance, and more.  In addition, Bode...

Are you considering getting a pet? Do you already own one? Katelyn (Weyrauch) Schunkewitz, MSW, Care Coordinator with Friends Life Care, covers topics older adults and solo agers may wish to consider before and during pet ownership like the benefits of having a pet, things to think about before getting a pet, resources for ownership, and more. Katelyn (Weyrauch) Schunkewitz is a Care Coordinator w...

According to the National Institute on Aging, the health risks of prolonged isolation are equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Social isolation and loneliness have even been estimated to shorten a person’s life span by as many as 15 years.   Ellen Houle and Beth Morley, Care Coordinators with Friends Life Care cover the causes, effects, and ways to combat loneliness. In addition, they discus...

Robert Keppler is a Friends Life Care member. He is also part of the LGBT+ community. On this episode of Honestly Aging by Friends Life Care VigR®, Robert joins us for an important conversation about aging in the LGBT+ community, supporting his partner through illness, ultimately losing his partner, and life after grief and loss. RESOURCES: Friends Life Care Website: https://www.friendslifecare.or...

Building resilience is a critical part of successful aging. But what does it entail?   Join Jan Zacharjasz as she shares concrete ways to build resilience in your daily life. She covers how mid- to later life transitions impact resilience, the nine traits that foster resilience, mindset shifts, and how we can manage a change impacting us now.   Jan M. Zacharjasz, MS, PCC, CPC, ELI-MP, brings over...

There is the primary care older adults should receive, and then there is the care they actually receive in the current healthcare system. On this episode of Honestly Aging by Friends Life Care VigR®, Dr. Neil Patel, Chief Health Officer at Patina, discusses the disparities often experienced between the two and how Patina delivers high-quality care to older adults in new, innovative, and technology...

Today’s healthcare system can be confusing and difficult to navigate, especially for solo agers.   On this episode of Honestly Aging by Friends Life Care VigR®, Ailene Gerhardt guides us through the complexities of solo aging with resources and facts to help this cohort make informed decisions that reflect their personal values.  Ailene is the Founder of Beacon Patient Solutions LLC and the Naviga...

To say Medicare can be confusing is an understatement.  On this episode of Honestly Aging by VigR Health, Kiersten Spitzenberger, a Medicare Specialist with Dan White and Associates, joins us to discuss the different parts of Medicare, what they cover, the cost, eligibility, and more.  As a Medicare Specialist, Kiersten helps clients understand and successfully enroll in Medicare plans that suit t...

The Many Facets of Grief and Loss: Help for the Solo Ager    We talk about grief and loss when someone dies, but can we grieve someone who is still living? How might we deal with the loss of “things” and compound grief over the years? What if we don’t feel close enough with anyone to share our grief?   Angela Dora Dobrzynski works through these tough topics and helps us navigate the complex emotio...

Hydration, nutrition, and exercise are critical to feeling our best as we age. Kiristin Briggs, MSN, CRNP, shares key components of all three, including information on the MIND DIET. Kiristin also covers supplements and why you should check with your healthcare provider before starting any.   Kiristin Briggs is a Board-Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner with over 15 years of experience in the...

How Palliative Care Can Support You in the Aging Process   Palliative care is a healthcare option to improve the quality of life in people with chronic and serious illnesses that have caused a physical, emotional, or spiritual burden.   Kate Phelan, a board-certified family nurse practitioner certified in palliative care, shares what palliative care consists of, how it differs from hospice care, r...