Aging In The Willamette Valley

Naomi Asselin is a bereavement coordinator at Bristol Hospice. As our guest this week, she shows us that “normalizing” bereavement is part of what lets us have difficult conversations with someone who is grieving. The hospice at which Naomi works offers resources to help someone through that difficult period of their life. She encourages us to learn more about the process and understand the subtle differences between grief, mourning, and bereavement. Add to your ability to support family and friends by listening to this episode.

Can dementia be reversed? The answer to this question may surprise you. That’s because there are some conditions that mimic dementia and cause cognitive impairment, and these are referred to as “reversible” dementia. It’s a term that’s applied to any type of dementia caused by a condition that can be controlled, cured, or improved once it’s treated. Steve Toll, Care Enhancement Specialist with ComForCare Home Care, joins us to discuss the many dimensions of reversible dementia. Don’t miss this show!

Can dementia be reversed? The answer to this question may surprise you. That’s because there are some conditions that mimic dementia and cause cognitive impairment, and these are referred to as “reversible” dementia. It’s a term that’s applied to any type of dementia caused by a condition that can be controlled, cured, or improved once it’s treated. Steve Toll, Care Enhancement Specialist with ComForCare Home Care, joins us to discuss the many dimensions of reversible dementia. Don’t miss this show!

This week Patrick Brodigan joined us to discuss Loneliness and Isolation with older adults – what it is and its impact on older adults. Patrick also shares some tips for how to deal with both loneliness and isolation then offers several resources that people can utilize to stay connected and reduce their loneliness. There are resources available to ensure that you, or your loved one, can get some help before a crisis situation occurs. Don’t miss this helpful show! #Salem

In this episode, Steve Toll, the Director of Special Programs for ComForCare Home Care, talks about home safety for someone with dementia. Steve breaks this down into two different categories for safety: making the home safe for the person and how to make that person "feel" safe in the home. Steve shares techniques on how to make your loved one feel safe in the home and with the people caring for them. He also makes several suggestions on how to make the home environment safe for a person with dementia. Don't miss this exciting episode!

Our guest, James Welch, is the owner of a new caregiver registry that selects and refers top-notch caregivers to seniors in the Willamette Valley area. It’s a new resource designed to find care based on individual needs and location. The registry is essentially a matchmaker service that collects only a small fee for finding your ideal caregiver. The registry lists only those caregivers who are checked and vetted, according to rigorous standards established by the State of Oregon. If you’d like to learn more, don’t miss this show!

Robert Giesbers, manager of AJ Medical Transport and R&J Mobility, joins us to talk about transport and mobility options for seniors. Robert starts by discussing the range of transportation options that are available, from traditional cars such as Honda Civics and minivans from one of his companies, and everything from ramps and lift chairs to scooters and van conversions from the other. Robert also talks about the safety measures transportation companies take to keep you safe during COVID. Don’t miss this show!

Our guest, Lauren Heinatz, is the Transitions Director of ComForCare Home Care, so she knows a lot about making adjustments. On this show, she gives us a lot of tips on how to handle holiday festivities while also dealing with your loved one with dementia. Of course, this year, many families are scaling down their in-person celebrations, but even so, those with dementia can become upset or confused by holiday activities. Lauren shows us how to adjust to meet their needs so that they are included appropriately. A few tips: limit travel, provide them with a quiet room separate from the gathered group, have only a few people visit with them at one time, and most of all, create good memories. Don’t miss this show!

When it comes to understanding the complex details associated with Medicare, Social Security, and many other aspects of aging, information can be confusing or difficult to find. But, aging successfully is a challenge we all face. So, after helping family members navigate the process, Cindy Easton and Phil Kilcoin co-founded Aging Energized, an educational resource that offers tools like online classes, ebooks, and a community for your questions and suggestions to make the journey of discovery more enjoyable and successful for everyone. Don’t miss this show!

Curtis Almquist from IDShield joined us to talk about protecting yourself from identity theft. Curtis is the Executive Director of ID Shield and shares his expertise on protecting you, your family, and your business from identity theft. Identity theft is an upsetting trend and one that can hurt you and your family financially for many years. The key to protection is having a way to monitor your presence online so that you can be notified of unusual activity and take action before becoming a victim. But no one can monitor the entire internet on their own, which is why Curtis is here to explain how protection services work – what they do for you, how much they cost, and how you can benefit when you have a protection service working for you. Don’t miss this show!

Cassandra Hutchinson from NorthWest Senior and Disability Services is our guest, and she’s here to tell us about needs-based assistance for those who want to age in their homes. She’s here to talk about Oregon Project Independence (OPI). This program is for people who do not qualify for regular Medicaid services. It is a needs-based program that typically serves people aged 60+ who need “some” help in their homes to stay independent. Cassandra explains the program, as well as a new Pilot Program for OPI that serves a younger population segment. Don’t miss this show!

Karen and Jeff Parsons are senior downsizing experts, and as realtors, they can help with every aspect of estate sales, selling, and moving. So we invited them to talk about how they handle downsizing. You’ll learn that Karen and Jeff can handle everything from sorting, packing, and clearing out to moving, unpacking, and settling in. They get into the details like donations, deep cleaning, and home photos and videos. And best of all, many of these services are free when Jeff is the listing agent. Let’s face it, moving from an established home can be overwhelming, and sometimes, family politics can make it even more so. Karen and Jeff show us an easier way to handle it all. Don’t miss this show!

Marilyn Daily-Blair, Director of Center 50+, joined us to discuss the adventure of self-discovery and the challenge of staying connected in our senior years.In Marilyn’s 50+ community center, they focus on programs and services that recognize the second half of our lives (age 50 and over) is about discovery, self-fulfillment, having the time to savor rather than rush, and maintaining a quality-filled life. We can do this through a healthy and active lifestyle, making new friends with diverse interests, and finding new ways to remain connected to our peers and our community. Marilyn shared how Center 50+ has adapted to COVID-19 thru virtual content and front-porch delivery with their WOW van. Don't miss this show!

Suzy Deeds, an Options Counselor with Northwest Senior & Disability Services, joined us to discuss difficult practical decisions facing seniors and their families. Click https://goo.gl/D6fzHK today to listen! In her role as an Options Counselor, Suzy’s passion is being an advocate for seniors and people with disabilities. She loves to show families how to support their loved ones in ways that let them remain as independent as possible, including the option to stay in their own homes as they age. We discussed the programs for family caregivers such as Options Counseling, the Family Caregiver Support Program, and others. We cover a lot of valuable information, so don’t miss this show!

Alex Johnson, the Principal Broker from TrueLife Financial Solutions, joined us to talk about important Medicare enrollment dates and changes for 2021. Alex shares his expertise to explain why you should consider adjusting your Medicare coverage to suit your needs, what the differences are between the Advantage and Supplemental plans in 2021, and what changes to those plans you should note. Everyone covered by Medicare needs to pay attention to upcoming decision deadlines, and anyone with questions can work with a Medicare advisor to ensure they have the proper coverage for their needs and budget. Don’t miss this important show to learn more!

Curtis Almquist, Executive Director from LegalShield, joined our show to explain how, as a LegalShield member, you’ll get access to attorneys with an average of 22 years of experience at a surprisingly affordable cost. You will speak with an attorney in your area who can assist you with the exact type of law for which you need help, and your calls will always be returned within four business hours. Because the participating law firms are prepaid, their sole focus is on serving you rather than billing you. Curtis explained the pricing and gave examples of using the services. Don’t miss this show!

Dodie Brockamp, Executive Director of the Silverton Senior Center, drops in to discuss the many changes underway at the Silverton Senior Center, where everyone over 50 is welcome to use the center and participate in activities. Many of those activities are now virtual, as seniors are encouraged to isolate at home if they’re among the high-risk population. She also shares the COVID safety practices in place for services that are still available in person at the senior center. Don’t miss this show!

Katie O'Toole and Matt Jones joined us from Connect America to discuss medical alert devices and electronic health monitoring. Katie is the territory manager, and Matt is the regional sales manager with Connect America, and they use their expertise to describe how electronic devices can aid in remote monitoring of health conditions. Some of those devices will help ensure you take your medications correctly. They can even take your blood pressure, weight, and blood glucose. This information can then be sent to your doctor or family members to review. Other devices can send an alert if something is wrong. Don’t miss this show!

This week, we had the pleasure of talking with Lavinia Goto from NorthWest Senior and Disability Services. We talked about how important it is to reduce the risk of falls among seniors. Did you know falls are a leading cause of injury-related death for those over 65? Lavinia gives us an overview of typical falls and how to prevent them. She shares tips on what causes falls, the importance of screening for fall risk, and what you can do to reduce your risk of taking a fall. It matters in our community because, surprisingly, Oregon is among the top ten states for falls! Don’t miss this show!

Our guest, Lori Hayhurst, has lots of experience helping families as a Senior Move Manager from Senior Solutions of Oregon. During this week’s show, we talked about what a senior move manager is and how they can help with senior moving. Apart from what you might guess, move managers also help with organizing, downsizing, setting things aside for donation or disposal, packing, and unpacking, either during the move or at a separate time. They can coordinate with estate sale organizations, too, which can be a significant help to families who understandably can feel overwhelmed by the project. Do not miss this great episode! #Salem