Desperately Seeking Senior Living

When you're sandwiched between raising kids and caring for aging parents, the stress can feel overwhelming—especially in a state like Florida, where senior living options are vast but complex. In this episode, I’m joined by Carline Cadet Francois @FloridaALFConsulting, a dynamic healthcare entrepreneur and visionary leader in Florida’s senior care scene. As the founder of Florida Assisted Living Consulting (FALC), Carline has becom...

Let’s be real—no one’s excited to talk about death or senior living, but waiting until there’s a crisis just makes it harder. In this heartfelt and eye-opening episode, Lisa Pahl and I peel back the layers of fear, guilt, and denial that so often block these conversations. With humor, honesty, and a whole lot of insight, we explore creative tools like The Death Deck, the emotional realities of caregiving, and how just...

Memory care can feel overwhelming—especially when you’ve heard horror stories or toured a community that didn’t feel right. But not all memory care communities are the same, and knowing what to look for can make all the difference. In this episode, I answer Jan’s question: Why do I hear so many bad things about memory care? I share real-life stories, common concerns, and most importantly—how to advocate for your loved one.

We talk ...

I’m so excited to welcome Hospice Nurse Penny back to the show! In this episode we're talking about her new book Influencing Death: Reframing Dying for Better Living.

In this episode, we discuss:

11:19 Advanced Planning

15:00 Cultural Traditions & Prayer

29:05 Misconceptions About Hospice

41:53 Advocating for Hospice

44:01 Hospice ...

All assisted living and dementia care communities have to be safe...right?

In this episode, Valerie Lynn walks you through everything you need to know about evaluating safety in senior living—from essential physical features like fall prevention and security systems to medical care and emotional well-being because senior living communities are NOT created equal. With real-life stories and practical tips...

Many families share that being home for the holidays prompted siblings and other family members to finally see what they were seeing all along. Mom might need more help. The holidays bring families together, making it the ideal time to start conversations about senior living. In this episode, I share why any holiday is perfect for these discussions, practical tips for approaching the topic with care, and strategies for making it a ...

I was so excited to welcome back Ginni Ryan, who worked in the senior living industry has for over 25 years. She is currently with Revel Communities. We had such a great conversation in my previous episode, about making that move to an independent living community and how difficult the decision can be, but also all the benefits of making the move. It’s a really great episode so be sure to check it out if you haven’t a...

I’m so excited to welcome Ginni Ryan, the Vice President of Operations for Revel Communities. At Revel Communities, Ginni is responsible for the operations of the entire portfolio of independent living communities. She has over 25 years of experience in senior living and over the course of her career, Ginni has developed a deep understanding of the needs and desires of the senior population. She uses her experience to...

You’re struggling to manage caring for mom or dad. You’re juggling work, trying to manage the dwindling finances that are necessary to care for your aging parent or loved one and the pressure of it all is dizzying. The push to answer questions and make decisions you’re not ready to make can leave you feeling boxed into a corner. And why won’t the phone stop ringing!?

In this episode, we're answering a s...

Whether it’s a grocery store, a family gathering, or even the doctor’s office—when your mom doesn’t quite act like she used to or dad begins to get agitated, it’s difficult, it’s heartbreaking, and it can leave you not only feeling overwhelmed and anxious but also like maybe you should just stay home. In this episode, I'm outlining strategies for a successful outing and addressing the isolation that can come when staying home feels...

In this episode, I tackle the financial challenges families face with senior care, stressing the importance of early planning to avoid future stress. With assisted living costs averaging $4,500 a month, many are blindsided by the expenses. Open conversations about finances and seeking help from financial advisors or elder law attorneys can make a significant difference. Remember, proactive planning not only provides peace of mind b...

You KNOW your mom or dad isn't safe at home alone but they are refusing to leave their home so what are you supposed to do when you truly believe it’s what’s best? In this episode, we’re exploring one of the most difficult conversations many of us will face: convincing your mom or dad, to leave their home and transition to senior living.

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No one wants to talk about or even think about senior living and care and I think that goes double for death and dying. I’m so excited to welcome Penny Hawkins Smith to the show. She’s a nationally certified hospice & palliative care registered nurse with over 17 years of experience. You may know her as Hospice Nurse Penny on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram and Facebook where Penny is working to dispel the mysteries ar...

You toured a few assisted living communities …you were very up front with all of them about the money situation. The community your mom chose said don’t worry! When your mom runs out of money, we’ll take Medicaid. No Problem!

Until it was a BIG problem.

I can’t believe how many times this has happened to my clients and families I’ve met over the years. How is it possible that so many families are having the same experience?

In this...

Are they going to let my mom in? Is there anything that could come up that would make the community not take my dad? My mom is really nervous. She’s afraid she won’t pass the test.

These are all statements I’ve heard from families when it comes to the assisted living nurse assessment. While the nurse assessment may be a requirement and yes there are lots of questions…is it a test? Could your loved one fa...

I’ve often heard families say that moving their mom or dad into assisted living or memory care kindof felt like dropping their kids off at daycare that first time. Why would it feel that way? The first time I dropped my son off at daycare is burned in my brain. He cried...I cried…it was terrible! I think one of the reasons moving your loved one into a senior living community feels like this is because most of the time this decision...

Why do certain items get locked up in memory care communities and adult family homes? Was there a list of items like medications, vitamins, and even flowers and plants that you were told would be locked up before move-in day?

It is vital to understand the importance of these "lock-up" precautions and how to adjust your routines to ensure the safety of your loved ones, and a smooth move-in process.

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Patti LaFleur is the Lorenzo’s House Youth Initiatives and Outreach Lead.  Patti is the former carepartner to her mom, Linda, who had younger-onset dementia - and a former elementary educator of over 10 years. Patti designs and leads our youth programming with intentionality, knowledge and love. Her capacity to connect with family members through lived experience and profound generosity of spirit sets the tone for how Lorenzo’s Hou...

Ana Burnes is a seasoned marketing professional with over a decade of experience forging strong community partnerships. Her extensive background includes leadership roles and a specialized focus in the medical field, where she excels in patient care and assistance. Ana is dedicated to making a positive impact on the lives of those she serves, and she is passionate about helping others through coaching and mentoring. 

In this episod...