Caring for Your Aging Parents

Caring for Your Aging Parents

Are you worried about your aging parents? Do you feel they will need either in-home care, driving assistance, or possibly move into assisted living or a memory care facility? Join me as I discuss your concerns around caring for your senior parents with changes they may experience as they age, the different types of care for your parents, and how to avoid caregiver burnout. It’s hard enough taking care of your family in today’s world. Then, when you add in nursing care, physical rehabilitation, and looking for a personal assistant or a new housing situation to better suit your parents’ needs as they age, you can find yourself frustrated, confused, and unsure of where to start when sorting through the myriad of options available to you and other Gen Xers who are on a journey to seek out long term care. How can I find assisted living facilities near me? Does long-term care insurance cover assisted living facilities? Is memory care covered by long-term care insurance? How can I get a reverse mortgage on my home if I’m a senior or elderly individual who needs to move into an assisted living facility? What do I need to know when caring for a person with dementia? Is memory care tax deductible? What benefits are offered for aging Veterans? What do I need to know if one or both of my parents need Medicaid? Make sure to follow Caring for Your Aging Parents on your favorite podcast player, along with our YouTube channel, to get the answers you need to your questions about caring for your geriatric parents, helping them to find memory care, or the best assisted living facility to meet their changing needs.

Episodes

April 29, 2025 16 mins

Welcome to the season finale of Caring for Your Aging Parents, where I explore the intricate dance between caregiving and self-care. Drawing from personal experiences, I discuss the vital importance of support systems for caregivers and how these networks can be our lifelines. Balancing caregiving, parenting, and personal pursuits isn't easy, but I've learned that self-care is essential, not just a luxury.

I share poignant memories,...

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Delve into the intricate world of senior care funding with me. I begin by unraveling the complexities of Medicare and Medicaid, helping you understand the crucial differences and the benefits of Medicare Advantage plans. Discover how Medicare specialists can provide tailored solutions at no cost, ensuring your loved ones receive the care they deserve while saving on costs.


I then navigate the challenging Medicaid spend-down proc...

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Join me for a conversation with Rick and Clancy Denton about the emotional and challenging path of caregiving for aging parents with dementia. Their journey began in 2019 when Clancy first noticed subtle changes in Rick’s mother’s behavior. This marked the start of their deeply emotional caregiving experience, which was compounded by the onset of Alzheimer's and the rare Capgras syndrome.

We candidly discuss the significant emotiona...

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April 8, 2025 12 mins

I explore the enriching concept of senior home sharing, a housing arrangement where seniors open their homes to younger individuals. This innovative solution offers a range of benefits, including companionship, cost savings, and support with daily activities.

Drawing inspiration from Chapter 5 of my book, we delve into platforms like Nesterly, Senior Home Sharing, Silver Nest, and Center of Concern. These platforms facilitate mutual...

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Let’s dive into the art of proactive caregiving, equipping families with the knowledge and tools needed to confidently support their aging loved ones. Drawing from my book, "Sensible Senior Solutions," I discuss the importance of recognizing early signs of aging and strategically planning for potential health challenges.

We'll explore how to choose the right in-home care agency, focusing on personalized care plans and emotional supp...

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Join me for a thought-provoking conversation with Joe Casciani, a seasoned geropsychologist and founder of the Living to 100 Club. Together, we challenge the conventional views on aging and retirement, emphasizing that turning 50 or retiring doesn't mean slowing down. Instead, it's a time ripe with potential for reinvention and embracing new opportunities with a positive mindset.

In our discussion, Joe shares his journey from nursin...

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Caring For Your Aging Parents Podcast

Season 02 Episode 19

What to Look For When Touring Retirement Communities

Check out this episode to unlock the secrets to finding the ideal senior living community for your loved ones. I’m Lynn Smargis, a certified senior advisor, here to guide you through this often overwhelming journey with insights from my book, "Sensible Senior Solutions."


In this episode, I delve into the complexities of s...

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Caring For Your Aging Parents

Season 02 Episode 18

Talking to Your Parents About Moving into Retirement Living

Delve into the intricate journey of long-distance caregiving, drawing from my personal experiences while supporting my father through his battle with stage four cancer. This journey opened my eyes to the challenges many face when discussing retirement living options with aging parents. Throughout this episode, I share practic...

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February 4, 2025 26 mins

How to Know It's Time for Senior Care

Podcast Episode Script

Introduction (2-3 minutes)

"Welcome to Caring for Your Aging Parents, I'm Lynn Smargis, and today we're tackling one of the most common questions I get from adult children: How do you know when it's time for senior care?


This is such a crucial topic because timing is everything. Wait too long, and you might be facing a crisis. Move too early, and you might face resistance...

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Caring for Your Aging Parents

Season 02 Episode 16

A Son's Journey: Navigating Parkinson's Caregiving and Advocacy

In this heartfelt episode, we delve into the inspiring journey of George, a dedicated caregiver who supported his mother through a 15-year battle with Parkinson's disease. George candidly shares the emotional and practical challenges he faced, from the early symptoms to later stages marked by delusions and hallucinations....

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Caring for Your Aging Parents

Season 02 Episode 15

Navigating Senior Care Planning with Confidence

Join us for an insightful episode from Pacific Northwest Senior Care, where we delve into caregiving through proactive planning. Discover how my new book, "Sensible Senior Solutions," can transform the challenging journey of caring for aging parents into a manageable and compassionate experience.


Let me guide you through the crucial a...

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Caring for Your Aging Parents

Season 02 Episode 14

Top Misconceptions Surrounding Senior Living

Join us for an enlightening episode as we challenge common misconceptions about senior living. Discover how modern retirement communities are vibrant hubs of independence, offering an array of activities and meaningful social connections. I’ll share insights on the extensive amenities available, from art studios and music classes to conveni...

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Caring for Your Aging Parents

Season 02 Episode 13

Embracing the GEMS Model: Transformative Strategies for Compassionate Dementia Care with Teepa Snow

In this insightful conversation, Teepa offers practical strategies for navigating the complexities of dementia care. She highlights the importance of adapting caregiver expectations, fostering compassionate relationships, and addressing challenging behaviors with empathy and understandi...

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Caring for Your Aging Parents

Season 02 Episode 12

Recognizing Dementia Symptoms in Aging Parents: A Guide for the Holiday Season

Get ready for an insightful episode, where we explore the critical topic of recognizing dementia symptoms in aging parents, especially during the holiday season. With families gathering around during the Christmas and winter holidays, these weeks become an opportune time to observe any changes in your loved...

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December 10, 2024 16 mins

Caring for Your Aging Parents

Season 02 Episode 11

How Assisted Living Empowers Aging Parents

What if assisted living could actually enhance your aging parent's independence rather than limit it? Join me, Lynn Smargis, on this enlightening episode of Caring for Your Aging Parents, where we shatter common misconceptions about assisted living facilities. These communities are designed with the goal of fostering an active and engaged lif...

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Caring for Your Aging Parents

Season 02 Episode 10

Real Estate Solutions for Funding Long Term Senior Care with Rachel Cook

Unlock the secrets to funding long-term care through real estate with our guest Rachel Cook, whose inspiring story will leave you motivated and informed. Discover how Rachel's family overcame financial challenges after a traumatic accident left her mother disabled, requiring extensive and costly nursing care. Lea...

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November 26, 2024 14 mins

Caring for Your Aging Parents

Season 02 Episode 09

The Benefits of Using a Senior Advisor

Discover the invaluable role of senior advisors as Lynn walks you through the critical stages, from understanding your loved one's medical needs and lifestyle preferences to the intricacies of facility availability and care types. Learn how a senior advisor ensures that every aspect—from pet accommodations to desired amenities—aligns perfectly wi...

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Caring for Your Aging Parents

Season 02 Episode 08

Mastering the Move to Retirement Living with Personal Items and Pets

Unlock the secrets to a seamless move into retirement living with Pacific Northwest Senior Care. You'll walk away with practical strategies for organizing the transition, from crafting a precise floor plan to determining which treasured belongings should make the move. 

Learn how to optimize your new space, deal ...

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Caring for Your Aging Parents

Season 02 Episode 07

How to Get Paid as a Caregiver for Your Parents with Nancy May from Eldercare Success

Join us this week as we welcome Nancy May, a seasoned corporate leader and business advisor, who shares invaluable insights from her personal caregiving journey. Nancy's wealth of experience spans managing finances, ensuring quality care, and assembling a team of independent caregivers to reduce cost...

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Caring for Your Aging Parents

Season 02 Episode 06

Combatting Senior Loneliness: Strategies for Connecting with Aging Parents

Unlock the secrets to making a genuine connection with your aging parents and combat the silent epidemic of senior loneliness. I’m joined by Caleb from Helperly, who shares his heartfelt experiences with his grandparents and provides crucial insights into recognizing the signs of loneliness and isolation in eld...

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