Aging In The Willamette Valley

This week, our guest is Devon Grogans, marketing director of the Salem Audiology Clinic. We discussed how hearing impacts our overall quality of life, and testing is important.Devon shared information about the value of getting your hearing tested and how our hearing can impact other aspects of our overall quality of life. He explained the audio testing process and told us how hearing aid technology has improved. These days, hearing devices aren’t noticeable to other people, so you can wear them easily in most situations. Even if you don’t think you have hearing loss, it’s still important for anyone over 50 to get checked and establish a baseline for their hearing. Don’t miss this show!

This week, Ann Horinouchi, COO and Community Developer from S3 Balance, discusses the importance of exercise for older adults, including seniors. Many think that 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, Natalie Nelson, Executive Director of Battle Creek Memory Care, and Tonya Burlew, their Community Relations Director, joined us to talk about what to look for in a state-of-the-art memory care community.Natalie and Tonya explain how Battle Creek Memory Care combines a charming and safe environment with specialized memory care for individuals with Alzheimer’s, dementia, and other memory issues. Their approach uses customized programs for each resident to build trust and emotional bonds meant to enhance guests’ lives for years to come. Programs include exercise, entertainment, and open visitation (no restricted hours) to encourage family participation. Also, the facility is organized into four neighborhoods, each with its own living, dining, and activity areas. Memory care works best in a supportive, safe, and familiar environment like this. Don’t miss this engaging and informative show!

This week, elder law expert Christopher Hamilton, partner at McGinty Belcher & Hamilton, explains why the holidays are a good time for estate planning.A well-crafted estate plan can save loved ones from having to go through costly and demanding court processes while dealing with their grief. And even when court processes can’t be avoided, a good estate plan can alleviate some of the burdens by streamlining the course of events. The holidays are a great time to put an estate plan together because when you’re gathered with loved ones, you can take a moment to share your intentions with them in person, letting them know that you have made a plan with them in mind, and reducing the concern and anxiety they would otherwise feel later. Don’t miss this show!

This week, Naomi Tillery, Community Relations Director from Boone Ridge Senior Living, joined us to talk about how this new facility approaches assisted living and transcends old-school concepts of nursing homes. She explains how senior care at Boone Ridge is designed to provide a continuum of care on one campus. So, whether residents are able to live independently and care for themselves or need higher levels of care, the community is designed to serve those needs at any level and to negotiate life’s changes as they occur. Less than a year old, Boone Ridge Senior Living opened to provide a safe, thriving, and inspiring environment for senior residents and offers many amenities you might not expect. Don’t miss the show!

This week, we discuss some of the benefits of essential oils and aromatherapy with Lori Tisdale, owner of Aroma Concierge. She explains why essential oils are an integral part of an alternative solution used with dementia patients in local memory care communities. And yet, some people are skeptical about these treatments. 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 who are in hospice care. And healthy people can benefit, too! Tune in to learn about this approach helps significantly to lift mood, aid wellness, ease anxiety, and more. Don’t miss this show!

This week, Manny Martinez, a wealth management advisor from WestPac Wealth Partners, joins us to talk about four steps to financial balance. This is advice that works throughout your life and helps to ensure you have funds for retirement. Manny works closely with his clients to create a plan, and then he monitors your progress to make sure the plan is working. He explains how to adjust the plan when life puts unexpected hurdles in your path. His advice can help you protect what you have today while also looking ahead to what’s next. Don't miss this show!

This week, Lynn Tylczak, a volunteer from the All Maximized Music program, talks about the program she’s developed. It provides dementia patients with free music that is selected and scored in a way that potentially improves physical and mental well-being. Clinical research shows that playing memorable music – and that includes specific musical aspects -- can help dementia patients reduce their risk of falling, improve their mood and behaviors, increase cognition, and reduce the need for antipsychotic drugs. Listen to hear more about what the Oregon Health Care Association calls the “Innovative Program of the Year.” Don’t miss the show!

This week, Alex Johnson II, principal broker and founder of TrueLife Financial Solutions, discussed important Medicare enrollment dates and changes to the Advantage and Supplemental plans in 2020. Alex returns to remind us about decision deadlines for Medicare enrollment, and changing your Medicare options. He explains why you should work with a Medicare adviser to ensure that you have the proper coverage for your needs and your budget. Don't miss this important show!

Our guest this week is Harold Fowlkes, the regional community liaison from Bristol Hospice and an expert on hospice care. He gives us a “Hospice 101” look at many of the specialty services offered by hospice organizations. We discuss the Namaste therapy at Bristol Hospice, which focuses on the five senses of the body with massage, aromatherapy, music, and more. Harold also talks about a new program called Bright Moments that can benefit anyone with dementia and end-of-life care, as well as help for their families. Don’t miss this informative show!

This week, our guest was Stephanie Eddy, a Hearing Instrument Specialist, and owner of Advanced Hearing Services. We discussed how everyone’s hearing is different, types of hearing loss, how hearing may change as we age, and hearing loss issues for those with dementia. Since hearing aids are a common treatment for hearing loss, Stephanie also reviewed the many types of hearing devices that are available these days, and how important it is to get your hearing checked by a qualified professional. With a mobile hearing service, testing is often free and can come to you –no driving on your part. Don’t miss this show!

This week, Dr. Tonia Vojtkofsky joined us to talk about how our brains think and the mission of the nonprofit All Health Foundation. She is a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in cognitive disorders and aging issues. Dr. Vojtkofsky is also the Executive Director of the nonprofit All Health Foundation, which provides education and integrative behavioral health services. On the show, she talked about comprehensive interventions that target the physical, emotional, and social health of seniors and their families. Many people are unaware that this kind of help is available to them, but the staff of the All Health Foundation will visit seniors in their homes, and Medicare covers the cost. Don't miss this show!

This week, we spoke with Angela Smith, RN, and owner of Silver Angels Foot Care. She explained why it's essential to good health that your feet get checked regularly as we age. Proper foot care is an important -- and often overlooked -- aspect of necessary personal care. If you find it difficult to tend to your toes, the RNs at Silver Angels can help. They aid with foot care for those who are diabetic, elderly, disabled, overweight, injured, or for any reason can't reach their feet. More importantly, they inspect your feet and refer you to other professionals if more advanced foot care is needed. Don't miss this show!

This week on Aging in the Willamette Valley, I interviewed Destinee Schuster of Patient Support Services USA. We discussed disability SSDI and SSI disability benefits.As the owner of Patient Support Services USA, Destinee advocates for your Social Security Disability and Medicare benefits. She and her team partner with people who have severe and long-lasting impairments. They assist individuals in understanding the difference between SSI (Supplemental Security Income) and SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance), determining which programs fit the situation of each person, and how to apply for these programs. It’s important information to have before you actually need it, so don’t miss this great show!

This week, we were joined by Maxine “Max” Tammany, a Hospice Consultant from Brighton Hospice, who joined us to dispel fears and misconceptions surrounding the word “hospice.”If you or someone you know have ever felt apprehensive about hospice care, this is one episode you should hear. Care and comfort near the end of life are precious gifts that offer so much more ease than hospitalization. Focusing on the relief of stress and pain, hospices help patients improve their quality of life at a time when that matters most. Max counters the myths that surround hospice care and gives us insight into what makes it work. Don’t miss it!

This week, I interviewed August Peterson, Coach and Owner of Undefeated by Parkinson's. Coach Peterson gives us an inside look at how counter-intuitive programs such as boxing and other regular exercise can help with Parkinson's disease. Phil Davidson, a participant in the boxing program, also joins us to talk about his first-hand experience. Phil shares how regular exercise has helped him fight Parkinson’s by slowing the progression of the disease and living a better life. Finding ways to live better until a cure is found is the best way to battle Parkinson’s now, so don't miss this show!

Many people worry that memory care communities might be frightening. Or they dread thinking about them when a loved one is “on the dementia path." Fear not, because this week we’re joined by Nick Bales, Executive Director of Jefferson Lodge Memory Care. Nick helps explain memory care and what it is like to be a resident of Jefferson Lodge. Nick has run an independent living, assisted living, and memory care communities before joining Jefferson Lodge, where he is very focused on his residents. Nick takes pride in knowing each one of them personally. #Salem

This week, Angela Plowhead, Geropsychologist from Capacity Solutions, answers the question, “Where do you go after your family doctor says, ‘It's some kind of dementia’?” It’s frightening to have a doctor tell you that your loved one may have dementia. Can that diagnosis be right? It’s easy to feel lost or desperate, and you’ll probably want a second opinion before doing anything else. Our guest this week is Dr. Angela Plowhead, a Geropsychologist who can help you determine the correct diagnosis via cognitive and decision-making assessments. She visits individual homes and considers all factors that might be contributing to the issue. Then, she provides recommendations to help manage the situation. Don't miss this show!

In this episode, Mac McCurry, CLTC, an agent with New York Life Insurance, discusses how to have a fixed or guaranteed income stream during your retirement years. Many people worry about their income during retirement, especially if that income is from a traditional plan like a 401(k), or IRA plan that is still tied to market trends. It's no fun to watch your nest egg go up and down with the market. Mac explains other approaches to ensure your nest egg will last for you without drama and turbulence. Don't miss another great show!

This week, Alise Liepnieks, Regional Coordinator for the Alzheimer's Association in the Mid-Willamette Valley, discusses a persistent question anyone might have about themselves or an aging loved one. How do you know whether someone's forgetfulness or speed in processing their thoughts is related to normal aging or is a sign of dementia? Alise explains the differences and shares “Ten Warning Signs of Alzheimer's" as a guide. It’s information you don’t want to be without – so don't miss the show! #Salem