Caring for Your Aging Parents

Caring for Your Aging Parents

Season 01 Episode 11

Charting Your Course through the Medicare Maze with Niki Feret

In this fascinating chat with Niki Feret of the Brickhouse Agency, a certified Independent Medicare Insurance Broker, we unravel the complexities of Medicare and lay down the basics of this significant benefit that you've been investing in throughout your working life. Our conversation also shines a light on the importance of creating a Medicare account online and how to go about it. Listen in as we explore the various types of Medicare plans and their costs, equipping you with knowledge to make informed decisions.

What is Medicare?

Medicare is a federal health insurance program in the United States that provides coverage to individuals aged 65 and older and certain younger individuals with disabilities or specific medical conditions. Medicare is designed to help individuals access essential medical services and reduce the financial burden of healthcare costs. The program consists of different parts that cover various aspects of healthcare services. Medicare was established in 1965 under the Social Security Act and is administered by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services division.

Medicare Options for the Upcoming Enrollment Period

Nikki expertly guides us through the details of Medicare Parts A, B, and D, including yearly premiums, deductibles, and coinsurances. Our discussion underscores the necessity of planning ahead and ensuring you have the coverage you need. We then examine the two options available for Medicare recipients who need drug coverage. Nikki highlights the differences between the standalone prescription drug plan and the Medicare Advantage plan, as well as the implications of late enrollment.

How to Navigate Medicare

Lastly, Nikki shares her invaluable expertise on how to navigate the nuances of Medicare to find the best plan for individual needs. We discuss the advantages of working with an experienced insurance agent and ask the right questions to ensure you aren't overpaying. The importance of enrolling in Medicare before the December 7th deadline and the process of doing so are also discussed. With this enlightening conversation, you will be better prepared to navigate the Medicare maze. Make sure to join her on Facebook to get involved in the Medicare discussion on her page.

Podcast Resources

Caring For Your Aging Parents on YouTube

Visit us to find out more on Caring for Your Aging Parents

Give me a call to locate a senior placement specialist in your area 503.830.1812

Caring for Your Aging Parents

Season 01 Episode 17

Effective Strategies for Introducing Assisted Living to Aging Parents

Ever found yourself at a loss for words when discussing the topic of assisted living with your aging parents? I'm here to guide you through these complex conversations. Together, we'll navigate the often challenging path of discussing elder care, all wrapped up in my personal insights from my own journey of caring for my terminally ill parents.

Key Components to Discuss Assisted Living Transitions for Your Senior Parents

Empathy, patience, and open communication are key in these discussions, and we'll delve into how to make your loved ones feel empowered in their decision-making process. We'll discuss the transition from home to assisted living or independent living communities, not as a way of shirking responsibilities, but as a means to ensure the safety and well-being of your loved ones. Furthermore, we'll explore effective communication within caregiving, namely the importance of using "I" statements and asking open-ended questions to express genuine concern. I'll share invaluable advice on how to introduce your parents to the idea of assisted living, from touring communities to engaging them in activities with potential future neighbors.

The Importance of Understanding Your Elderly Parents Concerns

This episode is the beginning of a journey that we'll take together, demystifying the world of elder care and providing you with the tools you need to support your loved ones. Navigating these conversations can be challenging. That's why we devote time to discussing the importance of empathy, patience, and involving all family members in these decisions.

I encourage you to understand your elderly loved one's fears and concerns so you can incorporate those feelings into your discussions about the future. Get tips on how to include trusted friends or family members in these conversations, and learn how to foster open communication that empowers your loved ones in their decision-making process.

(00:01) Aging Parents' Care Tech Solutions

(00:01) Talking to Aging Parents in Assisted Living

(06:34) Having the Conversation About Assisted Living

(10:37) Fostering Independence and Discussing Senior Care

(18:01) Effective Communication in Caregiving

Podcast Resources

Caring For Your Aging Parents on YouTube

Visit us to find out more on Caring for Your Aging Parents

Give me a call to locate a senior placement specialist in your area 503.830.1812

Caring for Your Aging Parents

Season 01 Episode 13

Strategies for Leveraging Life Insurance Insurance Cash-Outs for Elderly Care with Lisa Rehburg

Have you ever wondered about ways to ensure long-term care for your elderly loved ones without breaking the bank? Our special guest, Lisa Rehburg, an expert in life insurance policies with her company Rehburg Life Insurance Settlements, unveils how seniors can unlock the potential of their life insurance policies to fund extended or long-term care. A must-listen for those in their 50s and older, this episode is a trove of invaluable information about the regulated process of cashing in life insurance policies and its significant benefits, especially when health and well-being are a primary concern.

Cashing Out Life Insurance Policies to pay for Senior Care

When it comes to deciding whether to cash out a life insurance policy, the details can be overwhelming. Lisa, however, skillfully untangles the complexities for us. From discussing the types of policies that can be sold to talking through the potential uses of the cashed-out funds, she also provides guidance on how to approach these discussions with your parents. With a free consultation process up her sleeve and a couple of pieces of good news to share, Lisa's advice is sure to enrich your understanding.

Accessing Funds for Senior Care

Lastly, we delve into the often murky waters of accessing funds for elderly care. Lisa's practical advice on understanding different policy types to the art of navigating conversations with loved ones about the process is guaranteed to guide you every step of the way. We also explore the how-to of cashing in a life insurance policy for seniors with Lisa's expert guidance. A lesson packed with a wealth of information, this is an episode you wouldn't want to miss.

Using a Knowledgeable Life Insurance Broker

Lisa has been in the insurance industry for over 30 years. Before she started her own insurance agency, she worked in corporate running sales teams nationwide. She found that working with seniors assisting them with life insurance settlements for their care was more rewarding so she made the move to build her own insurance brokerage. Having a passion for helping advisors and their clients, selling life insurance to fund senior care is a solution which continues to increase in relevance, as our senior population grows.

(00:23) Elderly Care Life Insurance Cash Out

(11:49) Insurance for Older Clients and Health

(16:17) Understanding Life Insurance Policy Cash Outs

(26:04) Accessing Money for Elderly Care

Podcast Resources

Caring For Your Aging Parents on YouTube

Visit us to find out more on Caring for Your Aging Parents

Give me a call to locate a senior placement specialist in your area 503.830.1812

How to Know It's Time for Senior Care

Podcast Episode Script

Introduction (2-3 minutes)

"Welcome to Caring for Your Aging Parents, I'm Lynn Smargis, and today we're tackling one of the most common questions I get from adult children: How do you know when it's time for senior care?

This is such a crucial topic because timing is everything. Wait too long, and you might be facing a crisis. Move too early, and you might face resistance. So today, I'm going to share some real stories and practical guidance to help you navigate this challenge.

**The Geographic Challenge (3-4 minutes)**

Many of us live far from our parents now

The world has changed - families are spread out

Distance makes it harder to spot decline

Why daily phone calls aren't enough

Story time: Let me tell you about a client who lived just 10 minutes away...

**The Reality Check (4-5 minutes)**

Living nearby isn't always enough protection

Share the story of the client's mother who fell

24 hours before she was found

The devastating impact of delayed care

Sepsis and long recovery time

The emotional toll on both parent and family

**Common Misconceptions (3-4 minutes)**

"My parents take care of each other"

Why this can be dangerous

Story about the couple who both fell

The domino effect of delayed care

What happens when one parent tries to help the other

**The Stroke Story (3-4 minutes)**

Share the St. Petersburg story

Eight-hour delay in care

Permanent consequences

How this could have been prevented

The five-minute response time in assisted living

**Warning Signs to Watch For (5-6 minutes)**

Physical decline

Mobility issues

Balance problems

Recent falls

Cognitive changes

Memory issues

Confusion with daily tasks

Getting lost in familiar places

Personal care decline

Hygiene issues

Household maintenance

Medication management

Emotional changes

Depression

Isolation

Mood swings

**The Holiday Wake-Up Call (3-4 minutes)**

What you might notice during visits

Why phone calls can be deceiving

The "I'm fine" syndrome

What to look for when you visit

How to assess the situation objectively

**Modern Senior Living (3-4 minutes)**

Not your grandmother's nursing home

The cruise ship analogy

Activities and social life

Medical support available

Quality of life improvements

**Action Steps for Listeners (2-3 minutes)**

Start looking at options before crisis hits

Research communities in advance

Understand wait times can be 6+ months

Get on waiting lists if needed

Have the conversation early

Closing (2-3 minutes)

"Before we wrap up today, I want to emphasize that seeking senior care isn't giving up – it's often giving your parents a better quality of life with more social interaction and immediate access to help when needed. If you're seeing any of the warning signs we discussed today, don't wait for a crisis. Start exploring your options now.

If you need help assessing your situation or finding senior care options in your area, you can reach me at 503-830-1812 or visit my website at [website]. And don't forget to subscribe to this podcast for more tips and guidance on caring for your aging parents.

Caring for Your Aging Parents

Season 01 Episode 03

Caring for My Terminally Ill Mother

Welcome to Caring For Your Aging Parents, where I assist the elderly and their caretakers by providing education on how to take care of your aging parents. There will be new episodes every week where you’ll receive valuable information on how to make confident, informed decisions on elderly care.

How I Cared for My Terminally Ill Mother

Both my parents had cancer in the same timespan - and they both passed away within a year of each other. I understand how hard it is to take care of your parents, especially when you’re managing doctors, their place of residence, medical bills, and finding the right type of care when they have to leave the hospital. It’s hard to juggle family life when you have your parents to take care of, and this episode will give you a bit of an insight into the challenges I faced taking care of my terminally ill parents over a decade ago.

My mom was especially hard to take care of because she didn’t have an invested interest in taking care of herself. She had a poor diet and lifestyle, which led to her having and not surviving stage 1 breast cancer, even with an early diagnosis. If she had a healthier lifestyle, she would have been able to survive her cancer.

In addition to her poor lifestyle habits, she also implicitly trusted her doctor, even when she showed signs of her cancer returning and her oncologist ignored them. She refused to get a second opinion, and that mistake cost her her life.

When you have parents that are stubborn or won’t listen to reason, and they are cognizant and able to make decisions, you have to let go emotionally to protect yourself. This is a healthy boundary to have and is essential to know which battles to choose with your parents when you care for them as they age.

Podcast Resources

Caring For Your Aging Parents on YouTube

Visit us to find out more on Caring for Your Aging Parents

Give me a call to locate a senior placement specialist in your area 503.830.1812