Honestly Aging by Friends Life Care VigR®

Facing Mortality: Finding Meaning, Peace, and Ongoing Connection

In this reflective episode of Honestly Aging by Friends Life Care VigR®, we're joined by Patti Nesbitt, retired hospice and palliative care nurse, and Eileen Stanzione, PhD, clinical social worker and grief counselor, for a compassionate conversation about mortality, dying, grief, and what continues after death.  

Through a Quaker lens grounded in listening, presence, and love, Patti and Eileen share personal experiences and professional insights from decades of accompanying individuals and families at the end of life. Together, they explore what it means to face mortality with honesty rather than fear, how spiritual beliefs and nature's cycles can bring comfort, and why talking openly about death can help us live more fully.  

The conversation also delves into grief as a deeply personal process with no timetable, offering gentle guidance on how to support ourselves and others after a loved one dies. From meaningful rituals and legacy practices to ongoing connections that endure beyond physical death, this episode invites listeners to consider how love, memory, and relationship continue.  

Listeners will also hear reflections on "befriending mortality," the role of hospice care, the importance of courageous conversations, and Quaker-style queries that encourage thoughtful self-exploration around aging, loss, and connection.  

This episode offers a reassuring and human approach to life's most tender transitions, reminding us that while death is universal, no one has to face it alone.  

Resources: 

https://www.bym-rsf.org/  

https://www.facebook.com/BYMQuakers/  

https://quakerbooks.org/products/a-tender-time  

Friends Life Care:  

https://www.friendslifecare.org/  

https://www.facebook.com/friendslifecare/  

https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/friends-life-care-/ 

 https://www.instagram.com/friendslifecare/   

#HonestlyAging #FriendsLifeCare #VigR #Podcast #VibrantAging #FacingMortality #EndOfLifeCare #GriefSupport #LivingWithLoss #DeathAndDying #HospiceCare #Bereavement #QuakerValues 

© 2026 Friends Life Care. All Rights Reserved. 

Inside Senior Living: Exploring Options with The Hickman

In this episode of Honestly Aging, we're on-site at The Hickman, a warm and vibrant senior living community in West Chester, Pennsylvania. Together with three members of The Hickman's team, we explore the many senior living options available today and how to think through which choices may be the right fit as needs and priorities change over time.  

Our conversation begins with an overview of The Hickman's on-site offerings, including Personal Care, Memory Care, and Respite Care. From there, we broaden the discussion to look at the full landscape of senior living and care options, including Independent Living, Assisted Living, Skilled Nursing Facilities, Adult Day Programs, and Continuing Care Retirement Communities (also known as Life Plan Communities).  

We also discuss alternatives for those who wish to remain at home as they age, including continuing care at home models like Friends Life Care, which provide care coordination, wellness programs, home assessments, concierge services, and financial protection designed to support aging in place.  

Beyond care models, this episode highlights what makes The Hickman truly special. The team shares how the community’s history and Quaker values shape daily life, guide compassionate care, and foster an inclusive, purpose-driven environment for residents of all backgrounds. We talk about supporting joy, connection, and meaning, navigating serious illness and advanced care needs, integrating hospice services, and helping families make thoughtful decisions as circumstances evolve.  

We wrap up with guidance for listeners who want to learn more or explore The Hickman in person followed by a guided tour of the community.  

Tour highlights include: 

• Studio Apartment 

• One-Bedroom apartment 

• Dining 

• Activity room 

• Creative arts studio 

• Darlington memory care garden  

Whether you're beginning to think about senior living or actively planning next steps, this episode offers clarity, perspective, and reassurance that there are many paths to aging well.  

Resources: 

https://www.thehickman.org/ 

https://www.facebook.com/HickmanFriends/ 

https://www.instagram.com/hickmanfriendswc/  

https://www.linkedin.com/company/thehickmanfriendswc/  

https://www.linkedin.com/in/toni-kelly-lpn-pcha-cpasrm-624a80b0/ 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/maggie-abbonizio-pcha-mba-4613a052/  

Friends Life Care: 

https://www.friendslifecare.org/   

https://www.facebook.com/friendslifecare/   

https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/friends-life-care-/  https://www.instagram.com/friendslifecare/    

#HonestlyAging #FriendsLifeCare #VigR #Podcast #VibrantAging #SeniorLiving #QuakerValues #TheHickman #IndependentLiving #AssistedLiving #SkilledNursing #AdultDay #CCRC #AgeinPlace  

© 2026 Friends Life Care. All Rights Reserved. 

When Dementia Comes Early: The Truth About Frontotemporal Degeneration

Frontotemporal Degeneration (FTD) is a lesser-known form of dementia that often affects people in their 40s and 50s, bringing profound changes in behavior, personality, and language.   

In this episode of Honestly Aging by Friends Life Care VigR®, we're joined by Esther Kane, Support & Education Director at The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration (AFTD), and Liz Zadnik, an AFTD Ambassador for Pennsylvania whose mother was diagnosed with FTD.   

Together, they explore: 

• What Frontotemporal Degeneration is and how it differs from other dementias 

• Who is typically affected, and the early warning signs families may notice 

• The emotional and practical challenges of receiving an FTD diagnosis 

• Current treatment options and what families can do if they suspect symptoms 

• How AFTD supports individuals, families, and care partners through education, resources, and connection   

Liz also shares her family's personal journey with FTD and how her work as an ambassador helps ensure others feel less alone. Esther offers expert insight into navigating diagnosis, building a support team, and finding reliable resources.   

This conversation is an honest, compassionate look at what it means when dementia comes early, and where hope, support, and understanding can be found.   

Resources: 

https://www.theaftd.org/   

1-800-507-7222  

info@theaftd.org   

https://www.theaftd.org/find-support/   

https://www.theaftd.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Persons-with-FTD-3.2025.pdf  

https://ftdregistry.org/  

https://www.pennftdcenter.org/   

https://www.linkedin.com/in/esther-kane-msn-rn-cdp-2237577b/   

https://www.theaftd.org/about-us/aftd-ambassadors/  

https://www.facebook.com/TheAFTD/  

https://www.threads.com/@theaftd  

https://www.youtube.com/user/TheAFTDorg  

https://x.com/AFTDHope  

https://www.instagram.com/theaftd/  

https://www.tiktok.com/@theaftd  

https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-association-for-frontotemporal-degeneration/  

Friends Life Care: 

https://www.friendslifecare.org/  

https://www.facebook.com/friendslifecare/  

https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/friends-life-care-/  

https://www.instagram.com/friendslifecare/   

#HonestlyAging #FriendsLifeCare #VigR #Podcast #VibrantAging #FrontotemporalDegeneration #FTD #DementiaAwareness #EarlyOnsetDementia #CaregivingJourney #CarePartnerSupport #BrainHealth #AgingWithPurpose   

© 2025 Friends Life Care. All Rights Reserved. 

From Corporate to Creative: Reinventing Life After Work

In this episode of Honestly Aging by Friends Life Care VigR®, we talk with Holly Beebee, a Friends Life Care member who reinvented her life after leaving a 38-year corporate sales career.  

Holly shares how burnout led her to a bold leap of faith and into a joyful second chapter: creating a successful Dancin' Chairs program for older adults, performing music as part of a vocal duo, and becoming a published children's book author with her debut book, The Day When Daisy Learned to Dance.  

This conversation is a powerful reminder that retirement is not an ending; it's an opportunity to rediscover purpose, creativity, connection, and joy at any age.  

Resources: 
https://daisyfindsjoy.com/   
https://www.amazon.com/Day-When-Daisy-Learned-Dance/dp/1966617860   
https://www.linkedin.com/in/holly-beebee-11a34245/  
https://www.facebook.com/holly.beebee.5/  
https://www.facebook.com/TunesRus/ 
daisyfindsjoy@gmail.com   

Friends Life Care:   
https://www.friendslifecare.org/       
https://www.facebook.com/friendslifecare/        
https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/friends-life-care-/    
https://www.instagram.com/friendslifecare/    

#HonestlyAging #FriendsLifeCare #VigR #Podcast #VibrantAging #RetirementReinvention  #IndieAuthor #DaisyFindsJoy  

© 2025 Friends Life Care. All Rights Reserved. 

Anyone Can Move: Safe Steps for Better Balance

In this episode of Honestly Aging by Friends Life Care VigR®, we explore an important part of vibrant aging: staying confident on your feet. Our guest, Judith Sachs, founder of Anyone Can Move, brings decades of experience as a dancer, movement educator, and certified instructor in Dance for Parkinson's, balance and gait work, and fall-recovery training.  

Judith shares how movement became her life's mission and why she believes every body, at every age and ability, can learn to move with more ease, awareness, and joy. She explains who is most at risk for falling, the surprising science behind fear of falling, and the simple strategies that can improve balance at home and in everyday life.  

Listeners will learn about: 
• How our center of gravity shifts as we age 
• Why weight-shifting is essential for safe movement 
• Practical ways to recover after a fall and advocate for yourself 
• How music supports brain-body coordination 
• The power of community and connection in building confidence  

Judith also introduces the inclusive programs she leads through Anyone Can Move, including Dance for Parkinson's, balance and gait classes, close-contact mobility training for couples, and her newest offering, Bounce Back: Mastering the Art of Falling and Recovery.  

Whether you want to feel steadier walking, reduce your risk of injury, or rediscover the joy of moving freely, this conversation offers inspiration and actionable tools you can start using today.  

Resources: 
https://anyonecanmove.com/  
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574844970363 
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdmfR6wAHqmvTIo9A1avV0g 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/judith-sachs-37106a2/ 

Friends Life Care:  
https://www.friendslifecare.org/      
https://www.facebook.com/friendslifecare/       
https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/friends-life-care-/  
https://www.instagram.com/friendslifecare/    

#HonestlyAging #FriendsLifeCare #VigR #Podcast #VibrantAging #HealthyAging #AgingWithConfidence #AgeInPlace #MovementMatters #BalanceTraining #FallPrevention #BetterBalance #ActiveAging #SeniorWellness #MovementForAll   

© 2025 Friends Life Care. All Rights Reserved. 

Caregiving in the Digital Age: How Technology Eases the Journey

In this episode of Honestly Aging by Friends Life Care VigR®, we're exploring what it really means to care for a loved one in today's world and how technology can make that journey a little lighter. 

We're joined by Traci Lamb, Business Development Specialist at OdessaConnect, a platform that helps older adults stay connected through the most familiar screen in the home – the TV. Drawing from both her professional experience and personal caregiving story, Traci shares honest insights about the emotional, financial, and logistical challenges caregivers face and how accessible tech can bring comfort, connection, and peace of mind. 

Listeners will learn how to: 

• Navigate the emotional weight and daily realities of caregiving 

• Use simple technology to reduce isolation and strengthen family connection 

• Approach caregiving with more planning, balance, and self-compassion 

 Whether you're caring for a parent, a partner, or preparing for the road ahead, this conversation reminds us that caregiving doesn't have to be done alone and that the right tools can make the journey more connected, supported, and human.  

#HonestlyAging #FriendsLifeCare #VigR #Podcast #Caregiving #CaregiverJourney #AgingInPlace #ConnectedAging #FamilyCaregivers #TechnologyForGood #EmpoweringCaregivers #DigitalAging #AgingWell #OdessaConnect #VibrantAging  

Resources: 

https://odessaconnect.tv/  

https://www.facebook.com/OdessaConnectTV  

https://www.instagram.com/odessaconnecttv/  

https://www.linkedin.com/company/odessaconnect/  

https://www.youtube.com/@odessaconnect  

https://x.com/OdessaConnectTV/?mx=2  

https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracilamb/ 

Email: traci@odessaconnect.tv 

Phone: 813-997-7503 

https://adaptiveequipmentcorner.com/ 

https://www.youtube.com/c/AdaptiveEquipmentCorner  

 

Friends Life Care: 

https://www.friendslifecare.org/    

https://www.facebook.com/friendslifecare/      

https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/friends-life-care-/   

https://www.instagram.com/friendslifecare/  

© 2025 Friends Life Care. All Rights Reserved. 

Understanding Grief - Support, Healing, and Connection

Grief is a universal experience, yet each person's journey through it is deeply personal. In this episode of Honestly Aging by Friends Life Care VigR®, we're joined by George Salloom, a retired social worker and long-time bereavement support facilitator with over 30 years of experience. 

George shares insights from his decades of work in hospitals, long-term care, and hospice settings, as well as from leading eight-week bereavement support groups. He discusses the many forms grief can take – personal, communal, and ambiguous – and explains the difference between grief and mourning. With compassion and wisdom, George explores how meditation, music, group connection, and even spiritual reflection can create safe spaces for healing and growth. 

Listeners will hear about the challenges of moving beyond the "fixer" mindset, the myths around the stages of grief, and the powerful transformations participants often experience when they open themselves to support. Whether you are grieving a loved one, supporting someone else in their loss, or simply reflecting on your own spiritual journey, this conversation offers comfort, perspective, and hope. 

Resources: 
georgesalloom@hotmail.com  
https://bereavementcenter.org/  
https://www.griefshare.org/  
https://www.griefcounselor.org/resources/ 

Friends Life Care:  
https://www.friendslifecare.org/      
https://www.facebook.com/friendslifecare/    
https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/friends-life-care-/   https://www.instagram.com/friendslifecare/   

#HonestlyAging #FriendsLifeCare #VigR #Podcast #GriefSupport #BereavementCare #VibrantAging #AgingWithResilience 

© 2025 Friends Life Care. All Rights Reserved. 

Staying Safe in a Digital World: Tech Tips for Older Adults

In this episode of Honestly Aging by Friends Life Care VigR®, we're joined by Alan Silverblatt, a Friends Life Care member and information technology expert with decades of experience helping individuals, nonprofits, and small businesses navigate the digital world. Now retired, Alan continues to share his knowledge by teaching, consulting, and empowering older adults to use technology with confidence and safety.  

Throughout the episode we explore the most common digital challenges older adults face, from confusing software and outdated hardware to online scams and password overload. Alan offers practical, easy-to-follow tips on creating strong passwords, using password managers, enabling two-factor authentication, and recognizing red flags that signal scams. He also shares advice on antivirus protection, backing up important files, safely recycling devices, and where to find trustworthy resources for building digital skills.  

With clear guidance and relatable examples, this episode equips listeners with tools to stay secure online and highlights how technology can support independence, connection, and peace of mind as we age.  

#HonestlyAging #FriendsLifeCare #VigR #Podcast #DigitalSafety #CyberSecurityTips #TechForSeniors #OnlineSafety #PasswordProtection  

Resources: 

https://silverblatt.net/   

https://www.linkedin.com/in/alan-silverblatt-a01a73/  

https://gtownradio.com/members/alan-silverblatt/ 

https://gtownradio.com/shows/harmonic-attitude/ 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d526OqZX_LI  

Friends Life Care:  

https://www.friendslifecare.org/      

https://www.facebook.com/friendslifecare/    

https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/friends-life-care-/   

https://www.instagram.com/friendslifecare/    

© 2025 Friends Life Care. All Rights Reserved. 

The Quaker Approach to Aging: Care, Support, and Meaning

Aging is more than growing older – it’s an opportunity for wisdom, connection, and meaning. In this episode of Honestly Aging by Friends Life Care VigR®, we welcome Sheila Smolens Sorkin, Aging Support Coordinator at Philadelphia Yearly Meeting (PYM), to explore the Quaker approach to aging, care, and support.  

Together, we discuss: 

• The Quaker values that shape aging services 

• 10 key areas of aging — from emotional care to financial security 

• How to age in place successfully and plan ahead with intention 

• Compassionate conversations around death and dying 

• Finding purpose in retirement and nurturing spiritual gifts  

Sheila draws on decades of experience in social work, long-term care, and nonprofit leadership, sharing resources like Quaker Aging Resources, grants available through PYM, and practical tools for individuals, families, and communities.  

Whether you're aging yourself, supporting a loved one, or simply Quaker-curious, this episode offers insights and inspiration for living with vitality, independence, growth, and resilience.  

Subscribe to Honestly Aging by Friends Life Care VigR® for more conversations on vibrant aging: 

 https://www.friendslifecare.org/podcast  

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe. Leave us a comment with your reflections – how do you define meaningful aging? 

#Aging #QuakerValues #VibrantAging #FriendsLifeCare #HonestlyAging #PhiladephiaYearlyMeeting #PYM #Quakerism #QuakerAging #Podcast #AgingWithPurpose  

Resources: 

https://www.pym.org/  

https://www.quakeragingresources.org/  

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheila-sorkin-8946a17/  

https://www.linkedin.com/company/philadelphia-yearly-meeting/  

https://www.facebook.com/QuakersPYM/ 

https://www.instagram.com/quakerspym/ 

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCw5GG0hfRjRSb-40lhbVE6Q  

https://twitter.com/QuakersPYM/ 

 

Friends Life Care:  

https://www.friendslifecare.org/      

https://www.facebook.com/friendslifecare/       

https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/friends-life-care-/     

https://www.instagram.com/friendslifecare/   

  

© 2025 Friends Life Care. All Rights Reserved. 

 

The Path to Longevity: Fitness, Nutrition, and Mindset for a Healthier Life

What does it take to age vibrantly and independently? In this episode of Honestly Aging by Friends Life Care VigR®, we're joined by Mario Mascioli, certified athletic trainer, strength and conditioning coach, and founder of Mass Movement. Drawing from his experience with professional athletes and his work with older adults, Mario shares insights into building a strong foundation for healthy aging through personalized fitness, nutrition, sleep, mindset, and social connection.  

Tune in as Mario breaks down the core components of longevity, what they mean, why they matter, and how anyone can begin making sustainable lifestyle changes at any age. Whether you're easing back into exercise or looking to maintain your health long into the future, this episode offers practical advice and inspiration to help you thrive.  

Key topics include: 

• How to start (or restart) an exercise routine with confidence 

• Simple nutrition changes that support long-term wellness 

• The impact of sleep and stress on physical recovery 

• Why mindset and social connection matter just as much as movement 

• Insights from Blue Zones and what they teach us about living longer, healthier lives  

#HonestlyAging #FriendsLifeCare #VigR #Podcast #VibrantAging #AgingWell #HealthyAging #Longevity #FitnessOver50 #NutritionTips #MindsetMatters #AgingIndependently #AgingInPlace #HolisticHealth #WellnessJourney #BlueZonesLifestyle #FunctionalFitness #StrengthTrainingForSeniors  

Resources: 

www.mariomass.com/about 

info@mariomass.com 

610-996-8060 

https://www.instagram.com/massmovement21/ 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mario-mascioli-076ab0b6/ 

 

Friends Life Care:   

https://www.friendslifecare.org/       

https://www.facebook.com/friendslifecare/        

https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/friends-life-care-/      

https://www.instagram.com/friendslifecare/    

   

© 2025 Friends Life Care. All Rights Reserved.