70% of people with Alzheimer's or another type of dementia will wander at some point in time due to poor short-term memory. ‘Wandering’ means getting lost by moving away from where they’re typically located, whether it’s driving or walking. This can be dangerous when they’re unable to find their way back and risk their safety or being taken advantage of.

This is where the Safe Return MedicAlert® program comes in.

Tanesha Tyler-Ca...

Dana Mantilia realized how critical it is for people to learn about cybercriminals, identity thieves, and scammers while creating her identity protection company. 

Criminals often prey upon seniors in particular by playing on their emotions and loneliness, creating a sense of urgency to get them to act fast. That’s why it’s important to have conversations with seniors who aren’t as knowledgeable about the pitfalls of technology...

Order my book: https://amzn.to/3Y41CxA

Today, I want to share a personal update that has been close to my heart: the journey my family and I have been on since my husband, Mark, had four strokes starting on Christmas Day, 2022. This experience has taught me so much and I feel compelled to share it with you, especially if you're caring for someone critically ill or injured.

The Road to Recovery: Mark's Journey

Over a year and ...

So, you decided your loved one needs a caregiver…what’s next? Where do you find one? How do you choose the right fit?

I'm not only a senior living expert with 17+ years of experience in the industry, but I am also the primary caregiver for my husband who is a stroke survivor. I have the perspective of helping others find the right resources while navigating this reality for my own family.  

With this unique position, I have gath...

What are the benefits of speech therapy to the brain?

If you have a stroke or a traumatic brain injury, you might find yourself visiting a speech-language pathologist. Depending on your injury, this professional helps with different areas of cognition and executive functioning, like decision-making and problem-solving skills. Together you’ll work to restore communication – and become as independent as possible in the meantime.

Franci...

My loved one with dementia is anxious and agitated – what can I do?

It’s common for those with Alzheimer’s to have challenging behaviors – maybe they’re terrified, aggressive, or not sleeping. However, when Tonja Moon’s family gave her grandma a baby doll, everything changed. Her grandma’s mood completely changed, and the baby became her purpose. She began eating more and stopped wandering. She finally settled down and had ...

How can you train yourself to have a positive mindset?

Try the 7 steps to change your mindset.

Your mindset can make or break a situation.

If you look for the negatives, you’ll easily find negativity. If you can find the positive in it, positivity spreads. We can’t control what happens to us, but we can choose our response – and choosing to nurture a positive vs. negative mindset is often key to a life well lived. This skill ...

I am beyond excited to welcome you to the 200th episode of "Aging in Style." It's incredible to think that we've come this far, and I am so grateful for your ongoing support. This episode is particularly special for me because it coincides with the launch of my new book, "Surrounded by Love: One Family’s Journey Through Stroke Recovery."

I launched the book on Amazon in the third week of July, and it's already topping new release ca...

What’s the reality of life for children of stroke victims?

When someone suffers a stroke, it’s common to get the perspective of a spouse or primary caregiver. But what about children who are younger adults on the cusp of life?

When my husband Mark had 4 strokes that began on Christmas Day in 2022, my children Abby and Chris saw the horror unfold and our lives changed in an instant. While I was pitted in the chaos of making q...

How does caregiving change you?

Since my husband Mark had four strokes on Christmas Day in 2022, the past 18 months have profoundly changed me. This journey through hospitals, rehabs, and endless challenges pushed me to a new level of toughness I never knew I had.

While I never doubted my community, I’ve been pleasantly surprised at the love I’ve received. This inspired the name of my new book, Surrounded by Love, which details my ex...

What is aphasia and how is it treated?

Discussions around aphasia have become more mainstream as celebrities like Bruce Willis, Dick Clark and Randy Travis have struggled with the condition. Aphasia is a neurological language disorder often resulting from injury to left side of the brain due to stroke, head injury, tumors, lesions, and more. It affects the ability to speak, read, write, and comprehend language. However, it ...

You may be wondering, “Why would I ever use a senior placement service? I don’t want to leave my house.”

The truth is, many of us who work for senior placement services agree: We want you to stay at home as long as possible, if that’s what you want AND if it’s safe for you to do so!

If you’re no longer safe or no longer wish to be at home, the good news is that senior living specialists can help. Not only do we know all the senior l...

Why are seniors more likely to get dehydrated? How can they stay safe in the summer heat?

Summer is here, and with triple-digit heat in Texas, this means it’s a great time to revisit senior safety. Dehydration and heat stroke are big risks for older adults, so it’s important to stay informed and know how to lower your risk.

First, it’s helpful to understand why seniors are at risk of dehydration and heat stroke. As seniors age, their...

There are an estimated 2.7 million LGBTQ people over the age of 50. With Alzheimer’s projected to affect 13 million people by 2050, we can anticipate this impacting many members of the LGBTQ population.

In honor of Pride Month, Megan Rowe joins me to explain how Alzheimer’s uniquely impacts this population. As the former Senior Program Manager for the Alzheimer’s Association Dallas and Northeast Texas Chapter, Megan provides statist...

How can strokes be prevented?

Our beautiful brain hosts millions of cells, however, every minute that our brain goes without proper blood flow, 1.9 million brain cells die. This statistic is incredibly significant and brings home the importance of quick action when stroke symptoms appear. In this episode, I’m thrilled to have two exceptional guests from Medical City Lewisville, a top-notch hospital I can personally vouch for. Both g...

How can I cope when I’m grieving someone who is still alive?

You always hear about grief when someone has died – but what about if they’re still alive?

This is a scenario commonly experienced when a loved one suffers an accident or stroke, or has been given a life-changing diagnosis such as Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s. You grieve who they were and the life you once had. The 5 stages of grief are the same as if someone died: denial, an...

When talking to other caregivers, I found a striking similarity: Many of us felt ill-equipped after our loved ones were discharged from rehab. After my husband suffered a stroke on Christmas Day in 2022, I learned firsthand what many of my clients experience each day. Once he was released from rehab, I was given my husband’s medicine, told to install grab bars in the shower for safety, add a shower chair, and was sent on my way. My...

Mother's Day is a special occasion to honor and celebrate the remarkable women in our lives who have lovingly served in the role of a mother figure. However, when your loved one is navigating the journey of dementia, finding the perfect gift that resonates with their unique needs and preferences becomes a heartfelt challenge.

In this episode of Aging in Style, you'll learn what to consider when selecting Mother's Day gifts tailored...

How can I avoid family drama when an elderly loved one needs care?

Every family has its own conflicts and drama. This truth becomes more obvious when aging parents or loved ones need care due to dementia, Alzheimer’s, or other diagnoses where they require constant care. Old fights and hurt feelings resurface, siblings butt heads, and the stress of the situation can make it all worse!

Author Leah Stanley joins me to share her...