Aging In The Willamette Valley

This week we have Bryce "Spider" Lisser from Stone Guardian Acupuncture on the show to tell us about the slow-motion martial arts you see in the park and similar settings. Yes, it's really a form of martial arts, just done slowly and deliberately. Teaching QiGong and Tai Chi is part of Bryce's practice of Chinese Medicine at Stone Guardian Acupuncture. Tai Chi can even be used by seniors who want to have better balance and prevent falls! Don't miss it!

This week our guest is Bill Sweeney, Senior VP of Government Affairs at AARP, who joined us to explain how the Inflation Reduction Act impacts Medicare. Congress has just passed historic legislation to lower the prices of prescription drugs and put money back in the pockets of seniors. The new law requires Medicare to start negotiating the price of certain drugs, caps seniors’ annual out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs in Medicare Part D and limits the cost of insulin to $35 a month in Medicare. Find out when changes take effect. Don’t miss this show!

This week our guest is Bill Sweeney, Senior VP of Government Affairs at AARP, who joined us to explain how the Inflation Reduction Act impacts Medicare. Congress has just passed historic legislation to lower the prices of prescription drugs and put money back in the pockets of seniors. The new law requires Medicare to start negotiating the price of certain drugs, caps seniors’ annual out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs in Medicare Part D and limits the cost of insulin to $35 a month in Medicare. Find out when changes take effect. Don’t miss this show!

Andrew Mullin, Marketing Director at Redwood Heights Assisted Living talks about a new approach to assisted living. The SPARK Program, inspired by Montessori, ultimately focuses on supporting residents’ ideas, choices, and independence. The staff empowers residents to create a community that speaks to them. Staff encourages new ideas and helps to make them a reality by fostering the natural “spark” within. Andrew also discussed the available care options and activities within this community. Don’t miss this show!

This week we talked with Shelby Murtha, Oregon, Account Manager from CaptionCall. She discussed CaptionCall phones that are optimized for individuals with hearing loss. They use voice-to-text technology, assisted by captioning agents and automated speech recognition, to transcribe your conversation so that other speakers’ words appear on your CaptionCall screen. You can use CaptionCall with landlines or cell phones, which doesn’t change your existing service or price. CaptionCall is FREE! Don't miss this show!

This week we talked with Shelby Murtha, Oregon, Account Manager from CaptionCall. She discussed CaptionCall phones that are optimized for individuals with hearing loss. They use voice-to-text technology, assisted by captioning agents and automated speech recognition, to transcribe your conversation so that other speakers’ words appear on your CaptionCall screen. You can use CaptionCall with landlines or cell phones, which doesn’t change your existing service or price. CaptionCall is FREE! Don't miss this show!

This week we talked with Mike Struder PT, and Former President of Northwest Rehabilitation Associates. He discussed the effects of exercise on Parkinson’s disease. Mike shared his knowledge of the impact of exercise on Parkinson's Disease and how it can be "disease-modifying". Physical therapists prescribe complete plans that are individualized to the subtype or phenotype of PD - it is not a "one-size-fits-all." Programs, such as boxing, cycling, and Tai Chi can be helpful due to the socialization, intensity, and sense that you are doing something healthy and beneficial for yourself. This causes the release of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic factors, which can improve PD symptoms.

This week we talked with Mike Struder PT, and Former President of Northwest Rehabilitation Associates. He discussed the effects of exercise on Parkinson’s disease. Mike shared his knowledge of the impact of exercise on Parkinson's Disease and how it can be "disease-modifying". Physical therapists prescribe complete plans that are individualized to the subtype or phenotype of PD - it is not a "one-size-fits-all." Programs, such as boxing, cycling, and Tai Chi can be helpful due to the socialization, intensity, and sense that you are doing something healthy and beneficial for yourself. This causes the release of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic factors, which can improve PD symptoms.

This week, our guest Bryce 'Spider' Lisser from Stone Guardian Acupuncture & Apothecary is our guest in this episode, and we'll be discussing aging with balance. Bryce is an acupuncturist and Qigong/Tai Chi Teacher. Stone Guardian Acupuncture & Apothecary is a Chinese medical practice that emphasizes all four pillars of Chinese medicine: acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, tuina massage, and qigong. Before this episode, I thought acupuncture meant turning people into a human porcupines, but Bryce dispels that myth and others. Don't miss it!

This week, our guest Alisha Mack, Senior Living Advisor from Oasis Senior Advisors, joined us to discuss selecting the right senior living option for your loved one, as it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the process. With a lot of senior housing communities, & a wide range of different types of options to choose from, it’s not always easy to know where to begin. Alisha’s team offers free services for individuals & their families. They aim to reduce the stress of searching for senior housing services in the Willamette Valley.

This week we talked with Julie Mendez, a Family Caregiver Support Specialist at NorthWest Senior and Disability Services. Julie discussed the Family Caregiver Support Program of NWSDS. Taking care of a family member or friend is an important job. It can also be a stressful, full-time job. The Family Caregiver Support Program is for unpaid caregivers & provides several services: caregiver training & support groups, individual counseling, access to respite care, help with finding services, and funds for minor home repairs or equipment. Julie is a wealth of information, so don’t miss this show to learn more about this great program!

This week we talked with Julie Mendez, a Family Caregiver Support Specialist at NorthWest Senior and Disability Services. Julie discussed the Family Caregiver Support Program of NWSDS. Taking care of a family member or friend is an important job. It can also be a stressful, full-time job. The Family Caregiver Support Program is for unpaid caregivers & provides several services: caregiver training & support groups, individual counseling, access to respite care, help with finding services, and funds for minor home repairs or equipment. Julie is a wealth of information, so don’t miss this show to learn more about this great program!

This week we talked with Karen Smith, Health Promotion & Care Transition Coordinator at Northwest Senior & Disability Service, about their health & wellness programs, why they are essential, and how to access them. Are you looking for a way to stay healthy, improve your health, or manage a health condition? If so, NWSDS offers free, evidence-based health and wellness programs in five counties. Examples are Otago, Tai Chi, chronic disease management, and many other programs to help improve your overall health. Don’t miss this show!

This week we talked with Karen Smith, Health Promotion & Care Transition Coordinator at Northwest Senior & Disability Service, about their health & wellness programs, why they are essential, and how to access them. Are you looking for a way to stay healthy, improve your health, or manage a health condition? If so, NWSDS offers free, evidence-based health and wellness programs in five counties. Examples are Otago, Tai Chi, chronic disease management, and many other programs to help improve your overall health. Don’t miss this show!

This week our guest Maxine “Max” Tammany, a Hospice Consultant, joined us to discuss the benefits of Hospice. In this episode, we talk with Maxine ‘‘Max“ Tammany, a long-time Hospice Consultant and Educator, in this episode. She explains what services are covered in a hospice setting and how people can use those services to the greatest benefit. Max also discusses many myths and misconceptions about hospice care and gives us the “real story.” Also, she touches briefly on services that are unique and vary between hospice agencies. It’s another exciting show, so make sure you tune in!

This week, Ann Horinouchi, COO and Community Developer from S3 Balance, joined us to discuss the importance of exercise for older adults, including seniors. Many think they’re too old to exercise, but the exact opposite is true. Exercise is more important when you’re 80 than when you’re 20. That’s when exercise is essential to maintain functional mobility and balance. It preserves the ability to navigate the basic activities of daily living, provides a good quality of life, and protects your independence. Don't miss this show!

This week, our guest is the owner of Aroma Concierge, Lori Tisdale. We discussed some of the benefits of essential oils and aromatherapy. She explains why essential oils are used with dementia patients in local memory care communities. Lori shares the clinical side of aromatherapy and fantastic stories of how soothing applications of scent have been used with those who struggle with memory or are in hospice care. And healthy people can benefit, too! Tune in to learn that this approach helps lift mood, aid wellness, ease anxiety, and more.

This week our guest is Mac McMurry, Agent, CLTC from New York Life Insurance, who joined us to discuss exploring the building blocks of retirement planning. This week, we talked with Mac McCurry, Agent, CLTC, from New York Life Insurance. We discussed setting up your retirement to weather turbulent markets. Mac explains how to create a good foundation for your retirement by outlining the building blocks of that foundation. Many people worry about their income during retirement, as it's no fun to watch your nest egg go up and down with the market, especially in volatile times. Mac explains how to ensure your plan will last for you without drama and turbulence. Don't miss this show!

This week our guest is Mac McMurry, Agent, CLTC from New York Life Insurance, who joined us to discuss exploring the building blocks of retirement planning. This week, we talked with Mac McCurry, Agent, CLTC, from New York Life Insurance. We discussed setting up your retirement to weather turbulent markets. Mac explains how to create a good foundation for your retirement by outlining the building blocks of that foundation. Many people worry about their income during retirement, as it's no fun to watch your nest egg go up and down with the market, especially in volatile times. Mac explains how to ensure your plan will last for you without drama and turbulence. Don't miss this show!

This week, Dr. Gilbert Simas, Medical Director, and Crystal Lacey, Program Director from Willamette Valley Medical Center, discussed the Senior Behavioral Health Services. For many older adults, declining physical and mental capabilities and complicated medical problems coupled with loss and adjustment in lifestyle can be overwhelming. Geropsychiatry is a specialized area of medicine that focuses on unique physical and emotional needs. Don’t miss this show and the great information shared!