Next Steps 4 Seniors: Conversations on Aging with Wendy Jones

Cognitive decline is an increasingly prevalent concern among aging populations, affecting not only seniors but also their families and caregivers. In a recent episode of "Next Steps 4 Seniors: Conversations on Aging," host Wendy Jones and guest expert Wendy Adlerstein—Executive Director and co-owner of First Light Home Care of West Suburban Boston—delve into the nuances of recognizing early signs of cognitive decline, t...

Feeling overwhelmed with caregiving responsibilities? In this episode of Next Steps 4 Seniors, Wendy Jones shares a spiritual perspective that can transform your experience. Discover how surrendering control to God can bring peace, strength, and comfort during difficult times.

Key Topics

• The emotional and spiritual challenges of caregiving
• The importance of trusting God's love and guidance
• How to surrender stress and responsib...

In this episode of "Next Steps 4 Seniors," host Wendy Jones and guest Wendy Zimmer Cox, an estate planning expert, discuss the essentials of financial security and estate planning for seniors. They highlight the importance of having key legal documents, choosing the right decision-makers, and organizing vital information in a “death binder.” The conversation covers common pitfalls, such as joint bank accounts and family...

In this episode of "Next Steps 4 Seniors: Conversations on Aging," host Wendy Jones welcomes Pastor Ben Mae from Oakland Church, Michigan, to discuss the spiritual and emotional challenges of waiting as we age. Drawing from his sermon series, Pastor Ben shares three biblical purposes of waiting, emphasizing its meaning and value in the Christian faith. The conversation explores how waiting can prompt intercessory prayer, encourage ...

In this episode of "Next Steps 4 Seniors: Conversations on Aging," host Wendy Jones welcomes Dr. William Fox, a board-certified vascular and interventional specialist, to discuss innovative, minimally invasive procedures for managing joint pain. The conversation highlights the prevalence of joint pain among seniors and the limitations of traditional surgical options. Dr. Fox emphasizes the importance of addressing inflammation rath...

In this episode, Wendy shares a powerful message that changed her perspective after hearing Cody Wilson speak at church. What started as an incredible service turned into a deep reminder about how easy it is to let life, busyness, and distractions slowly replace our “first love”—Jesus.

Wendy talks about what it really means to put God first in everyday life, not just in words but in how we spend our time, structur...

In this episode of "Next Steps 4 Seniors: Conversations on Aging host Wendy Jones and estate planning attorney Rob Kaplow discuss essential strategies for managing family finances and preparing for the future with aging loved ones. They cover the pros and cons of joint bank accounts, the use of transfer on death (TOD) and payable on death (POD) designations, Lady Bird deeds for real estate, the importance of keeping a financial aff...

In this episode of Next Steps 4 Seniors, host Wendy Jones discusses the challenges faced by seniors as they navigate aging and the importance of addressing both physical and spiritual needs. She emphasizes the significance of understanding life’s final steps, the necessity of forgiveness, and the path to salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. Wendy encourages listeners to consider their spiritual journey and the reality of ...

In this episode of Next Steps 4 Seniors: Conversations on Aging, host Wendy Jones and estate planning attorney Mallory Kallabat discuss probate, estate planning, and strategies to avoid probate. They explain what probate is, its drawbacks, and the importance of early planning. The conversation covers the differences between wills and trusts, the necessity of properly funding trusts, and essential documents like powers of attorney. ...

This week, we’re bringing back one of our most powerful conversations. In this Best Of episode of Next Steps 4 Seniors: Conversations on Aging, host Wendy Jones sits down with caregiver and advocate Deirdre Mercer for an honest, real-life look at what it means to care for aging parents while juggling teenagers, a career, and, you know… sanity.

Deirdre shares her family’s “share and care” philosophy, w...

In this episode of "Next Steps 4 Seniors: Conversation on Aging," host Wendy Jones and guest Pastor Lorenzo Sewell from 180 Church in Detroit discuss the emotional complexities of aging during the holiday season. They emphasize the importance of forgiveness, letting go of regrets, and the joy of giving. Pastor Sewell shares personal stories and encourages listeners to reflect on their relationships and cherish memories of loved one...

In this episode of Next Steps 4 Seniors: Conversations on Aging, host Wendy Jones and Father Brian from Saint Andrew’s Church discuss how seniors can face fears related to aging, loss, and uncertainty with hope. They explore the importance of faith, prayer, scripture, and community support, share personal stories, and offer practical spiritual practices. Listeners are encouraged to reach out for help, embrace new opportunitie...

In this episode of Next Steps 4 Seniors: Conversations on Aging, host Wendy Jones welcomes Valerie Grubb, author of Planes, Canes and Automobiles. Valerie shares heartfelt stories from 25 years of traveling with her late mother, highlighting the joys and challenges of journeying with aging loved ones. The conversation explores practical tips for planning trips, the importance of creating lasting memories, and how travel can deepen ...

In this special holiday episode of Next Steps 4 Seniors: Conversations on Aging, host Wendy Jones is joined by Kimm Kincer for a heartfelt conversation about what truly matters as we age - the gift of faith, hope, and spiritual peace.

Together, Wendy and Kim discuss the importance of addressing spiritual needs, particularly for seniors nearing the end of life. Kim shares her experiences visiting seniors in hospitals, nursing homes,...

In this episode of "Next Steps 4 Seniors: Conversations on Aging," host Wendy Jones is joined by Bill Feldmaier and Mike Laske from Greenleaf Trust to discuss achieving financial peace of mind in retirement. They highlight the importance of comprehensive financial planning, organizing scattered assets, involving family in financial literacy, and working with fiduciary advisors. The conversation emphasizes proactive planning, clear ...

In this heartfelt episode, Wendy Jones addresses the emotional challenges faced by adult children caring for aging parents. She emphasizes the importance of spending quality time with loved ones, encouraging listeners to engage in meaningful conversations and create lasting memories before it's too late. Wendy shares personal anecdotes and practical advice on how to connect with aging parents, highlighting the significance of in-pe...

In this episode of "Next Steps 4 Seniors: Conversations on Aging," host Wendy Jones and expert Val Fiott discuss vital topics in senior health, including joint care, fall prevention, and muscle loss (sarcopenia). Val explains why walking and swimming aren’t enough for joint and muscle health, emphasizing the importance of personalized strength training. They debunk myths about aging, highlight the risks of inactivity, and sha...

In this episode of Next Steps 4 Seniors: Conversations on Aging host Wendy Jones and dementia practitioner Erica Ancel discuss the unique challenges caregivers face during the holiday season, especially when supporting seniors with memory loss. They introduce the CARE framework Connect, Acknowledge, Reflect, Empower, Engage to guide compassionate caregiving. The conversation highlights the importance of patience, empathy, and slowi...