Seniors We Love

This episode is created and produced by the Seniors We Love interns. It’s an interview with 3 high school seniors about how they would deal with certain situations as their parents age.

Their discussion includes hypotheticals as well as real concerns that they will face as their parents age with topics ranging from discussing how they would tell their parent that it is no longer safe for them to drive anymore, dealing with future housing issues and even how they would respond if the younger of their parents passed on first.

It’s hard to describe in words the process of aging and how it affects people. On one hand people know it’s inevitable and just a natural process of life, but on the other hand it’s still something people don’t really want to talk about at any point of their lives. You most likely don’t want your loved ones worrying about you, but the irony of it is that you will eventually find yourself worrying for those around you.

Did you know that people are turning 65 at a rate of 10,000 people per day and that number isn’t expected to decrease for a few years?

That’s a lot of people turning 65.

A lot of the people who have had Great accomplishments throughout their lives

Their stories might not have been told and if they have been, they might not be remembered.

Welcome to seniors we love, a podcast designed to honor the people who have made a difference in our lives. Who might not have gotten the recognition they deserved any other way.

It’s where we share stories of people who have made a difference

Mixed in we talk about some of the difficulties they’ve experienced and some of the joys of their adventures. Trailblazers in their own subtle way.

I hope throughout this podcast to share those stories of people who really made a difference and mixed in between some of the stories will probably be some of the difficulties of the senior life that people experience

My name is Debbie DeChambeau and I am the host of this podcast and in 2019, I am also a caregiver.

I didn’t plan to be a caregiver. I didn’t go looking for it.

People tell me they don’t know how I do what I do. It’s something I have heard all of my life. Honestly, I just do what I think needs to be done and I keep moving forward. I’m a survivor. I don’t think twice about it. I focus on having a positive attitude and I think in many ways that’s what keeps me going

In many ways I might have set myself up for it because I am so caring. I’m not afraid to jump in and try to figure it out. And I’m not that good at saying NO.

My sister passed away in November, 1999. She was 34 and left behind 4 children. A year after her death, her husband was floundering so I was asked to care for her two youngest children for awhile. I went from two kids to four overnight. I figured it out. I was raising 4 children for over a year. What a challenging time that was in my life. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

I managed the care for my biological father during the last year of his life. You see he ended up in the hospital once a month and would be there for a week at a time. It was an hour away, but I drove there every day, met with the doctors, coordinated the care then came home to take care of the 4 kids. He would misbehave in the middle of the night and they would call me to come and sit with him because they didn’t have anyone else. While caring for him was different than the caring I’ve done for others, his taught me a lot that has helped me over the past 10 years.

I also have a step father. Actually if you want to learn a little more about me outside of this podcast episode, go to episode 1 of Divorce Exposed, another podcast I host and you’ll get a lot of my backstory.

I digress.

When my step father passed away, he had a brother that he looked after every month. This was my Uncle Merrill. On the way to the funeral, I learned how much my dad was helping his brother. I said to my uncle, if you ever need any help, let me know, I live in a big house and I’m happy to help. It was my way of letting my dad know how much I was part of his family. Another story for another podcast.

Little did I know that within 6 months he would be living with me. He was with me for almost 10 years. I was his caregiver and I’ll talk more about him in another episode.

My mom and I have had an interesting relationship over the years. For the first 30ish, she was an alcoholic. Once she was in recovery, we made up for all of the lost years. I always told her there was a room for her in my home when she needed it and that I would never put her in a nursing home. I don’t believe in that.

3 years ago, my mom moved in with me. It was a short visit because she had fallen off the wagon and it was like reliving my teenage years. Fast forward 3 years and she is again in recovery but she’s also very sick and currently in hospice. I’m her caregiver.

It’s so much more than I ever imagined. I’m good at providing medicine, doing laundry and keeping people doing the right thing. I’m not so good at some of the other duties of a caregiver. I really don’t like changing the porta potty or cleaning the wounds.

With my sisters children, I had a husband who helped and I was 20 years younger!

With my uncle, he did almost everything for himself, or at least tried to.

My mom is a primadonna. She wants everything done for her. That might be because she currently weighs 79 lbs. And is also a fall risk so she can’t do much. But she doesn’t make it easy.

Living with my mom for the first time in 30 years has been quite an adjustment. I’ve learned so many things about her that I was never aware of. Or maybe I just forgot or didn’t see them because of the alcoholism.

There’s a reason we didn’t get along when I was a teenager, but I don’t think I was the issue!...

What happens when you put a Greek with a German? It becomes a long lasting love relationship, truly one of those 'till death do us part' stories.

Andrew Pappas left his home in Greece at 14 and like many immigrants, didn't have an easy life. In this episode we learn about those precious years and the wonderful things Andrew brought to this country and to his family.

EP 7 - This is a podcast about what happens with seniors, from caring to financial issues, behaviors to independence and everything in between.

In this episode, you’ll get insights on why you need to be with your senior while they are in the hospital. These are specific items that happened to me while my mom in to the hospital 6 times within 3 months.

My mom was probably one of the worse types of patients. Hopefully some of these items will never happen to you. You’ll have knowledge in the worst case scenario!

Top 10 Reasons why you need to be in the hospital with your loved ones!

1. Keep Them Covered
2. Stay In Bed
3. Tissues
4. Notes
5. MRI
6. Chargers
7. Reminders
8. Remote Control
9. Cell Phones
10. Flight Risk

SPONSOR INFORMATION

Lynn Michel Insurance, LLC

If you know someone over 65 that is still working, this message is important for them. If they are on their employers plan, have them verify that it is credible coverage. They should get a letter every year with this verification so that when they decide to stop working or they no longer want the employers health insurance, they won’t be penalized by medicare for not having credible coverage.

Without this confirmation, the penalty can be substantial and expensive for someone in retirement.

If you know someone turning 65 that is still working, have them contact Lynn Michel Insurance and discuss their options. There is no charge for the call.

Lynnmichel.com

301996-2328

[email protected]

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ABOUT THE HOST

Debbie DeChambeau is a content creator, business and marketing strategies and professional insurance agent.

She has spent many years caring for family members from raising her neice and nephew, caring for her grandmother and caring for her parents (of which she had more than most people)

Her love for podcasting and for the insurance industry have her creating content that help seniors with their insurance decisions as well and caregivers understand what to expect in their new role.

She is a believer in continued education for her profession and earned the designations as a Certified Insurance Counselor and an Accredited Advisor of Insurance.

She is the co-author of Renewable Referrals and hosts three other podcasts Business In Real Life and Divorce Exposed and Business of Insurance.

Connect with Debbie on LinkedIn, Twitter or Instagram.