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We’re all getting older. We might as well embrace it. Join Honestly Aging by Friends Life Care VigR® in exploring what it’s like to get older. Host Cheryl Proska walks with you on the winding road of aging. The peaks. The valleys. And everything in between. This is what aging looks like. Real people. Real stories. Real advice. Let’s grow old, together.
Episodes
Wednesday Aug 30, 2023
Wednesday Aug 30, 2023
To say Medicare can be confusing is an understatement.
On this episode of Honestly Aging by VigR Health, Kiersten Spitzenberger, a Medicare Specialist with Dan White and Associates, joins us to discuss the different parts of Medicare, what they cover, the cost, eligibility, and more.
As a Medicare Specialist, Kiersten helps clients understand and successfully enroll in Medicare plans that suit their needs and budget.
Before her role as a Medicare Specialist, Kiersten held positions as Dan White and Associates’ Assistant Director of Operations and Marketing and as an Independent Agent with Mutual of Omaha.
Kiersten has a bachelor’s degree from West Chester University in professional studies with two minors in Mathematics and Elementary Education. She is also licensed in Life and Health Insurance.
Grab something to take notes with because we cover a lot!
Resources:
https://danwhiteandassociates.com/
https://danwhiteandassociates.com/about/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kiersten-spitzenberger-21b853161/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/daniel-a-white-&-associates/
https://www.facebook.com/DanWhiteandAssociates
https://www.youtube.com/@daniela.whiteassociatesllc9576
https://www.instagram.com/danwhiteandassociates/
https://www.friendslifecare.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Medicare-Enrollment-Flow-Chart.pdf
https://www.friendslifecare.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Four-Parts-of-Medicare.pdf
#HonestlyAging #FriendsLifeCare #VigR #SoloAgers #SoloAging #Medicare #PartA #PartB #PartC #PartD #Medigap #MedicareSupplement #Medicaid #Cost #Eligibility #Enrollment #EnrollmentPeriod #LongTermCare #Coverage #CaseStudies #MedicareVsMedicaid #MedicareAdvantage #PreExistingConditions #HomeHealthCare #DanWhiteAndAssociates #MedicareSpecialist #Benefits #65Plus #LatePenalties
Wednesday Aug 16, 2023
Wednesday Aug 16, 2023
The Many Facets of Grief and Loss: Help for the Solo Ager
We talk about grief and loss when someone dies, but can we grieve someone who is still living? How might we deal with the loss of “things” and compound grief over the years? What if we don’t feel close enough with anyone to share our grief?
Angela Dora Dobrzynski works through these tough topics and helps us navigate the complex emotions that come with grief and loss throughout a lifespan.
Angela Dora Dobrzynski is a Licensed Professional Counselor with a private practice. Additionally, she is a Certified Grief Counseling Specialist and holds a certificate in Holistic Health Coaching from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition.
Angela earned her Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from Rosemont College and her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Stockton University.
Prior to private practice, Angela worked as a Bereavement Counselor for Main Line Health Homecare and Hospice, The Renfrew Center, and as adjunct faculty at Manor College teaching Developmental Psychology and Stress and Health Psychology.
Resources:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/angela-dora-dobrzynski-lpc-04b958b/
Therapeutic Writing Blog Post: https://angeladora.org/2022/01/24/therapeutic-writing/
Support Groups:
St. Peter Church East Brandywine. Contact Shavaun: shavaunmcginty@gmail.com
Compassus Hospice: Online general grief support group, Tuesdays at 8pm, Contact John john.cooper@compassus.com
Adult grief group with Hand Holding Hearts. Contact Amy: contact@handsholdinghearts.org
Penn Medicine Hospice: Online support group via Zoom. Call 610. 617. 2400.
Books:
Healing After Loss by Martha W. Hickman: https://www.amazon.com/Healing-After-Loss-Meditations-Working/dp/0380773384
Unmoored by Angela Dora Dobrzynski: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09ZCQPKZC?psc=1&smid=A1Y53T3O3Q25L8&ref_=chk_typ_imgToDp
Helpful Website: www.whatsyourgrief.com
(C) 2023 Friends Life Care. All Rights Reserved.
Wednesday Aug 02, 2023
Wednesday Aug 02, 2023
Hydration, nutrition, and exercise are critical to feeling our best as we age. Kiristin Briggs, MSN, CRNP, shares key components of all three, including information on the MIND DIET. Kiristin also covers supplements and why you should check with your healthcare provider before starting any.
Kiristin Briggs is a Board-Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner with over 15 years of experience in the nursing profession, including nearly 10 years as an Advanced Practice Nurse. Kiristin graduated with her BSN from Bradley University in 2004 and obtained her MSN at LaSalle University in 2010.
For 10 years Kiristin has also maintained an adjunct faculty position at the Community College of Philadelphia. Kiristin has experience in Primary Care/Internal Medicine, med-surg, skilled/rehab nursing, long-term care, and drug detox/rehabilitation. In addition, she has been a Legal Nurse Consultant/Expert Witness since 2018.
Resources:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kiristin-briggs-823665213/
https://www.friendslifecare.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/At-Home-Stationary-Exercises_NIA.pdf
https://www.goodrx.com/well-being/movement-exercise/20-chair-exercises-for-seniors
https://www.silversneakers.com/blog/total-body-chair-workout-for-older-adults/
https://www.friendslifecare.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/MIND_Diet_Flyer_1-22.pdf
Please note, those interested in incorporating the MIND diet should make sure there aren't any medical/medication and/or diet contraindications. Consider using low sodium or no added salt to some of the recipes.
(C) 2023 Friends Life Care. All Rights Reserved.
#HonestlyAging #VigRHealth #FriendsLifeCare #SoloAgers #SoloAging #Aging #Hydration #Dehydration #Awarness #SelfMonitoring #MINDDiet #Moderation #Supplements #Exercise #Endurance #Flexibility #Balance #Strength #PhysicalTherapy #PhysicalLimitations #Nutrition
Wednesday Jul 19, 2023
Wednesday Jul 19, 2023
How Palliative Care Can Support You in the Aging Process
Palliative care is a healthcare option to improve the quality of life in people with chronic and serious illnesses that have caused a physical, emotional, or spiritual burden.
Kate Phelan, a board-certified family nurse practitioner certified in palliative care, shares what palliative care consists of, how it differs from hospice care, real-life examples of how this type of care positively impacts patients, and more.
Resources:
Website: https://www.friendslifecare.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/friendslifecare/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/friends-life-care-/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/friendslifecare/
Angelic Health Website: https://www.angelic.health/
Angelic Health Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AngelicHealthPA
Angelic Health LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/angelic-palliative-hospice-care/
Kate Phelan LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-phelan-msn-crnp-achpn-cen-a8b98a31/
Palliative Care Informational Resources:
https://www.friendslifecare.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Palliative-E-brochure.pdf
https://www.friendslifecare.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Palliative-Provides-PA-22.pdf
#HonestlyAging #VigRHealth #FriendsLifeCare #SoloAgers #SoloAging #Aging #Palliative #PalliativeCare #WhatIsPalliativeCare #Chronic #ChronicConditions #SeriousIllnesses #PalliativeVsHospiceCare #Insurance #Goals #PatientGoals #Autonomy #PatientAutonomy #Family #Team #FamilyDynamics #TeamDynamics #SuccessStories #AngelicHealth #WhyConsiderPalliativeCare #CareersInPalliativeCare #PalliativeVsPrimaryCare #HealthcareOption #QualityOfLife
(C) 2023 Friends Life Care. All Rights Reserved.
Wednesday Jul 05, 2023
Wednesday Jul 05, 2023
Might you benefit from having a therapist in your life? Katie Starrantino, LCSW, M.Ed, CDP, Friends Life Care Director of Wellness Initiatives, covers how solo agers can find the right fit with her top 5 considerations when selecting a therapist. She also debunks the stigma around “shrinks” and shares therapy successes.
Katie is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Certified Dementia Practitioner, has a master’s degree in education, and is a Licensed Counselor in the state of Pennsylvania.
Resources:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists
https://bmcpsychology.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40359-022-00742-7
https://gimletmedia.com/shows/science-vs/8whx33w
https://www.friendslifecare.org/about-us/care-coordinators/katie-starrantino/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie-starrantino-lcsw-m-ed-cdp-387129224/
(C) 2023 Friends Life Care. All Rights Reserved.
#HonestlyAging #VigRHealth #FriendsLifeCare #SoloAgers #SoloAging #Aging #WellnessCoordination #TherapeuticAlliance #Therapy #Therapist #Top5 #DebunkingStereotypes #Insurance #PrivatePay #TherapistCredentials #TherapyOnline #TherapyInPerson #Success #Relationship #Modalities #AnxietyDisorders #CBT #CognitiveBehavioralTherapy #Depression #PTSD #CPT #ProlongedExposureTherapy #LifeChanging #Psychologist #Psychology #MentalHealth #SelfCare #MentalHealthAwareness
Wednesday Jun 21, 2023
Wednesday Jun 21, 2023
What is ageism, and why should we care about it? Katie Reilly, PhD, explored this and more during her doctoral research on the existence of ageism. Listen to this podcast episode and better understand what ageism is, its negative repercussions, strategies to combat it, and more.
Katie Reilly is a doctoral level gerontologist with over 13 years of experience in the senior care industry. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Gwynedd Mercy University, a master’s degree in Gerontology from Saint Joseph’s University and a PhD from Concordia University in Leadership and gerontology—with a qualitative research focus on the existence of ageism.
Katie works as a Care Advisor for the Abramson Senior Care Healthy Brain and Memory Center. Additionally, Katie provides education on dementia-related topics to both formal and informal caregivers as well as the community at large. Katie also serves as a volunteer for the Alzheimer’s Association as both a support group facilitator and certified community educator. In addition to her work with Abramson Senior Care, Katie works as an adjunct professor at a local university teaching undergraduate courses on aging and dementia.
Per KR: I will be rejoining ACTS Retirement as the divisional director of memory care services in May.
Abramson Senior Care: https://abramsonseniorcare.org/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie-reilly-phd-12664510/
(C) 2023 Friends Life Care. All Rights Reserved.
#HonestlyAging #VigRHealth #FriendsLifeCare #SoloAgers #SoloAging #Aging #Ageism #OlderAdults #Seniors #ComponentsofAgeism #ChronologicalAgeism #RecognizingAgeism #AgeBias #Gerontology #RepercussionsofAgeism #CombattingAgeism #IntergenerationalConnections
Wednesday Jun 07, 2023
Wednesday Jun 07, 2023
Having a caregiver in your home helping with your activities of daily living can be an unfamiliar situation. In this episode, Annmarie Francis and Erin Price help demystify the caregiving experience by sharing what they’ve learned through their many years working with the aging community.
Annmarie is CEO and Co-founder of Leta Loving home care Services Inc. She has been in the health care service for over 30 years.
Her love and admiration for her grandmother brought her to the health care field. Annmarie and her sister took care of their grandmother when she became ill and unable to care for herself.
The love, appreciation, and happiness they've seen in their grandmother's eyes, became their inspiration for creating Leta Loving Home Care Services. They opened the home care service agency in honor of their loving grandmother and are now providing the best care services on the market for those who know they deserve nothing less.
Erin holds a master’s degree in Social Work from West Chester University and is a Licensed Social Worker in the state of Pennsylvania. She specializes in geriatrics and is certified by NASW as an Advanced Social Worker in Gerontology. Erin has been working in the healthcare field for 11 years. She spent the past 10 years working with older adults in a continuing care retirement community setting where she oversaw the Social Services departments responsible for the Independent Living, Personal Care, and Memory Care areas.
Erin enjoys working with Friends Life Care members to find solutions to enhance their quality of life using a person-centered approach so they can live the best life possible.
Resources:
https://letalovinghomecare.com/
https://www.facebook.com/LetaLovingHomecareService/
https://www.friendslifecare.org/about-us/care-coordinators/erin-price/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-price-lsw-asw-g-9a4a46148/
(C) 2023 Friends Life Care. All Rights Reserved.
Wednesday May 24, 2023
Wednesday May 24, 2023
Shelley Morrison has always enjoyed singing. So, after retiring, she decided to join Encore Creativity for Older Adults and found that it was just what she was looking for.
Through Encore, Shelley has gotten to sing, perform, travel, and connect with other adults, including David Simmons, the conductor of Encore’s Wilmington, DE chorale. David also joins this episode and shares his perspective about how Encore Creativity is helping older adults find their passion after retirement.
David has been performing professionally since age 14. Upon graduating from Muhlenberg College in Allentown, PA in 1988, David moved to Washington, DC, where he attended The American University, Washington College of Law, and where he lived for 33 years. After a short career as a litigation and real estate attorney, David returned to his true passion, music, where his career has taken him from the music classroom to the church organ and choir loft, and from work as a recital soloist and accompanist to a variety of conductor's podiums, stretching from choral and orchestral work to turns in musical theatre, jazz, and opera.
From September of 2019 through August of 2021, David served as an Encore conductor in the DC region and then as the Associate Artistic Director of Encore Creativity. He is now conducting Encore's first Delaware chorale.
Shelley is a member of Encore’s Wilmington, DE chorale. She is also a Friends Life Care member.
Resources:
https://www.facebook.com/encorecreativity
Encore Creativity for Older Adults - Millennium Stage (December 26, 2022)
This episode was originally recorded on January 13, 2023.
(C) 2023 Friends Life Care. All Rights Reserved.
Wednesday May 10, 2023
Wednesday May 10, 2023
Changes in memory occur as we get older. These changes may make us wonder, is this normal, or cause for concern. Gary Skole joins us to tackle this important topic. We cover poignant information about Dementia, how solo agers can plan ahead for potential cognitive impairment, caregiving, and how AlzBetter can help.
Gary Skole is a founder of AlzBetter with decades of experience improving care for patients with challenging healthcare needs at home. He is a published author and frequent speaker on Dementia, Transitional Care Management, and Remote Patient Monitoring.
Reducing care partner stress is the primary objective of the AlzBetter program. Families often feel all alone and unprepared for the demands placed upon them when caring for a loved one living with dementia. We help empower individuals with easy-to-use care strategies and dementia coaches.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-skole-a01a247/
AlzBetter: https://alzbetter.com/
AlzBetter App: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/alzbetter-app/id1592825786
(C) 2023 Friends Life Care. All Rights Reserved.
#HonestlyAging #VigRHealth #FriendsLifeCare #SoloAgers #SoloAging #Aging #Memory #MemoryandAging #Dementia #Alzheimers #AlzheimersDisease #CognitiveImpairment #Signs #NormalAgingVsDementia #TypesofDementia #DementiaAssessment #DementiaDiagnosis #PlanningAhead #LifestyleAdjustments #QualityofLife #EarlyDiagnosis #Caregiver #caregiving #Depression #AlzBetter #alzheimersawareness
Wednesday Apr 26, 2023
Wednesday Apr 26, 2023
Can Your “Forever Home” Meet Your Solo Aging Needs?
Most older adults want to stay at home as they age. Similarly, most older adults will need help to do so successfully.
Kristin Swanick, CAPS, joins us to discuss accessibility, aging in place, home modifications, and more. Listen and learn actionable ways to make your home safer and more accessible, especially as you age.
Kristin Swanick is currently the Marketing Manager for Amramp in the Tri State Area. Amramp is a local accessibility product and service company with over 22 years of experience providing individuals and families with solutions to age in place successfully.
Kristin has spent over 25 years working in the healthcare arena with a focus on accessibility, diagnostics, and pharmaceuticals. Kristin graduated from Thomas Jefferson University with a BS in Diagnostic Imaging and is chasing her Masters in Dynamics of Organization from the University of Pennsylvania.
For the past 6 years, Kristin has worked with aging adults, people with disabilities, people with mobility challenges and healthcare professionals and organizations. Kristin is passionate about the ADA and accessibility for all. She is also CAPS certified, which means certified aging in place specialist.
Kristin has an amazing husband and 3 even more amazing children. She also has an 82-year-old mother with mobility challenges she has been helping age in place successfully. They all keep her connected and grounded!
Resources:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristin-swanick-caps-8a6928151/
https://amramp.com/franchises/philadelphia-pennsylvania/
https://www.friendslifecare.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/AMRAMP-Home-Safety-Check-List.pdf
(C) 2023 Friends Life Care. All Rights Reserved.