The Better Health While Aging Podcast

In This Episode:

Dr. K talks with Kerry Byrne, PhD, a researcher and expert in aging and family caregiving, and the founder of TheLongDistanceGrandparent.com. They discuss the importance of intergenerational connections and of grandparents in particular. They cover:

• Why intergenerational connections are so important to society, and how they reduce ageism
• What we know about the grandparent-grandchild relationship
• How Kerry’s experience living abroad led to her particular interest in “long distance” grandparents
• Why grandparents are especially important, when it comes to countering ageism
• How grandparents can more easily stay connected to grandchildren, especially if they live far away
• Tips on fostering more intergenerational connections, whether that’s with family or others

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In This Episode:

Dr. K talks with Linda Fodrini-Johnson, MA MFT CMC, a past president of the National Association of Geriatric Care Managers (now the Aging Life Care Association) and a featured expert providing guidance in Dr. K’s Helping Older Parents Membership Program.

To help families have the best holidays possible, they discuss practical approaches to help families avoid common conflicts that come up during the holidays. They also discuss adapting the holidays for aging parents with dementia. Their talk includes:

• What are geriatric care managers (also now known as aging life care professionals)
• Why adult children should avoid telling their aging parents what they “should” do, and what to do instead
• How to handle common causes of sibling conflict related to aging parents
• How to learn more about what aging parents want for their future
• What you can do if YOU are the older parent and your adult children are concerned
• How to adapt the holidays so they work better for aging parents with dementia
• What to do if an aging parent is showing signs of memory problems but hasn’t been diagnosed

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In This Episode:

Dr. K talks with geriatrician Bill Thomas, MD,  founder of ChangingAging.org. They discuss what he’s worked on during the past year, including his work fostering better aging through Minka houses, MAGIC (Multi-Ability, Multi-Generational Inclusive) Communities, and much more. They cover:

• Why ageism is so important
• Why it’s better to avoid age (and ability) segregation, when it comes to housing and community services
• The mismatch between the housing we have and the housing we need
• The problem of older adults loving houses that don’t love them back
• His own experience this year of turning 60 and of moving to a smaller house
• How cars affect aging and communities, and whether self-driving cars will change things
• Why the Village of Hope community is designed to cultivate social capital
• His recent work in value-based home health care
• Whether aging issues will become part of the election conversation
• Why it’s vital to confront our internal ageist narratives and appreciate our aging faces

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In This Episode:

Dr. K explains what all older adults and family caregivers should know about annual vaccination against influenza. She also reports on the statistics from last year’s flu season. This episode covers:

• What is influenza, and how many people are affected every year
• Why older adults are at higher risk of harm from the flu
• How the vaccine works
• The two key ways you can protect yourself from the flu
• How pneumococcal vaccination helps protect against flu complications
• What to know about flu shots designed for older adults
• Which influenza vaccine she thinks is best for most older adults
• What to do if your older relative is unable or unwilling to get vaccinated

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In This Episode:

Dr. K talks with Michelle Allen, LCSW, about what all older adults and families should know about Medicare Open Enrollment and understanding your Medicare coverage. Michelle is an experienced social worker and geriatric care manager based in Atlanta, and is a featured expert providing guidance in Dr. K’s Helping Older Parents Membership Community. They discuss:

• The surprisingly common misunderstandings that people often have about their Medicare coverage
• The difference between traditional Medicare and Medicare Advantage plan
• What is Medigap, what is secondary insurance, and what is supplemental insurance
• How to find out just what type of Medicare coverage you or your older relative has
• How to know whether it’s worth considering a plan switch during Medicare Open Enrollment
• Why it’s a good idea to request a medication review before reviewing your Part D prescription coverage
• What to consider if you frequently spend time traveling or living in other states 
• How to get free help understanding your Medicare coverage options

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