Answers For Elders
Answers for Elders is the North Star in Navigating Senior Care. Our content is designed to Empower Seniors and their Families through the Daunting Journey of Aging. Featuring our host, Suzanne Newman and top industry providers across the USA, together, we support, coach and assist seniors, caregivers and their families in finding the best independent solutions in world of aging, with a comprehensive line-up of topics covering Health & Wellness, Life Changes, Living Options, and Money & Law.
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Episodes
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Unmarried Couples: Protections and Estate Planning
Friday, January 24, 2025
A lot of people choose not to get married. They cohabitate, they mix assets, they'll buy a home, and some even have retirement plans. There are many legal protections for married couples, but some of those protections don't extend to individuals who live together, such as Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid benefits. If an unmarried couple decides to live together, they ought to discuss how to protect each other, and how do you protect yourself if you choose to live with a partner. Elder law attorney Andrea Lee from Legacy Estate Planning joins Suzanne to talk about protections and estate p...
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How Will AI Help Growing Old?
Monday, January 20, 2025
Dr. Marc B. Cooper sees enormous benefits in using AI to help our senior loved ones, especially in their later age. He joins Suzanne Newman on the Answers for Elders Radio Show to talk about the potential of technology, particularly AI, to combat loneliness among the elderly and improve healthcare management in the future. They consider strategies that can be implemented to help elders feel less isolated. They also think about how AI can assist in the mission of The Contemporary Elder Institute. Additionally, they explored the impact of AI on content creation, with Suzanne sharing her exper...
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What’s Life Like As an Elder?
Monday, January 20, 2025
Dr. Marc B. Cooper joins Suzanne Newman on the Answers for Elders Radio Show to continue their talk about aging with purpose and intention. They talk about higher consciousness and self-understanding. They ask how a higher consciousness and self-understanding can impact your life. He writes, "After 80 years on the planet, my life’s been anything but linear. In our Western culture, my adult journey followed a prescribed path for success: college, dental school, a residency in periodontics training, and an advanced degree in immunology. This was followed by two years in the Air Force as a per...
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What’s the Mission of The Contemporary Elder Institute?
Monday, January 20, 2025
More about aging with purpose and intention: Suzanne Newman is joined by Dr. Marc B. Cooper on the Answers for Elders Radio Show to delve further into the significance of living with intention and purpose as individuals transition into elderhood. Dr. Cooper highlights the importance of authentic elders in decision-making and the need to redefine aging positively. He describes how to live with intention and purpose. He describes the mission of The Contemporary Elder Institute, how he hopes to accomplish the mission, and what a person needs to be to accomplish it. Marc says, "My intention is ...
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What's the Difference Between Older and Elder?
Monday, January 20, 2025
Aging with purpose and intention: Dr. Marc B. Cooper joins Suzanne Newman on the Answers for Elders Radio Show to discuss the evolving role of elders in society, particularly as the population over 65 continues to grow. Suzanne Newman shared her personal experience of being downsized, which led her to establish Answers for Elders. Both Suzanne and Dr. Cooper emphasized the importance of storytelling and legacy for baby boomers, who control a significant portion of wealth. They discussed the need for elders to guide younger generations and the value of inquiry in fostering personal and socie...
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Special Needs Trusts: Plans and Considerations
Thursday, January 16, 2025
Elder law attorney Andrea Lee from Legacy Estate Planning joins Suzanne to talk more about special needs trusts, comparing first party special needs trusts and third party special needs trusts. Andrea provides an example of a third party special needs trust: "Let's say I am a parent of a disabled child, and my disabled child does not have assets. Maybe they're on Medicaid, maybe I support them, but they don't have their own money. I might draft a will, and in my will give my two healthy kids their distribution outright, and then for my disabled child, I in my will might create a special nee...
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Do You Need a Special Needs Trust?
Thursday, January 16, 2025
So many of us have a loved one that may have special needs, a disability. Maybe a spouse has just been diagnosed with dementia and needs care, and they're afraid of losing their house or their money. If you're in that situation, or maybe your parents are, or a child that has special needs, this episode will be important. Elder law attorney Andrea Lee from Legacy Estate Planning joins Suzanne to talk about special needs trusts and how people can protect their own resources. Learn more:* Andrea Lee: https://www.waltar.com/andrealee/* Legacy Estate Planning: https://www.waltar.com/* Legacy Est...
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Tour Senior Communities to Find the Best Fit
Saturday, January 11, 2025
We don't spend enough time finding out everything we need to know. Have you got your legal paperwork done? L.E. "Ellie" Brown from Chateau Retirement Communities joins Suzanne to talk about how to find resources for seniors that many people don't even know exist. Ellie says, "There are some great programs out there that don't cost anything to the family. Senior Care Finder is one that I really enjoy a lot. They don't capture your information, but you go on there and you do a search, and it'll show you all the Google reviews, and the different sites in your area, and then it gives you that o...
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Top 3 Ways to Help Declining Loved Ones
Saturday, January 11, 2025
L.E. "Ellie" Brown from Chateau Retirement Communities joins Suzanne to share how families can best support their senior loved ones. Ellie shares her top three tips for getting through the transition when a loved one starts struggling. Chateau Retirement provides independent living, assisted living, and memory care services. They have been locally owned and family operated for more than 25 years.Chateau Retirement has three communities in Washington's Seattle/Puget Sound area: Chateau Pacific in Lynnwood, Bothell Landing in Bothell, and Chateau Valley Center in Renton. Visit them online at ...
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Facing Denial: Dad's Not Fine, He's Declining
Saturday, January 11, 2025
What signs of aging are of concern as we're supporting our senior loved ones? L.E. "Ellie" Brown from Chateau Retirement Communities joins Suzanne to talk about the warning signs and facing up to the various dynamics of denials, not just from ourselves, but also our loved ones. Ellie shared her personal, family experiences with warning signs. She says, "For my mom, her health was clearly in decline. She wasn't recovering as quickly from colds. She was seemingly depressed at times. So that was a sign to me. Not as vibrant anymore. Then I started hearing about falls, which — she was minimizin...
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Our Parents Fib About Their Health, and What To Do About It
Saturday, January 11, 2025
L.E. "Ellie" Brown from Chateau Retirement Communities joins Suzanne to talk about how to best support our senior loved ones, particularly as they get older and might need to consider senior living. Ellie works with families every day, and shares common situations that she encounters as families try to help their loved ones. Ellie is Vice President Sales - Strategic Market Analysis, Branding & Sales Leadership for Chateau Retirement. Ellie finds that a lot of families are facing similar challenges, obstacles, stereotypes about senior living, and misinformation. "It could be as simple as the...
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Maintain Your Car, Maintain Your Estate Plan
Saturday, December 7, 2024
People sometimes put their estate documents in a file and forget about it. Elder law attorney Steve Waltar joins Suzanne to talk how to keep your estate plan documents current. Visit the Legacy Estate Planning website at waltar.com for beneficial articles, resources, and webinars. Steve Waltar: https://www.waltar.com/our-firm/about-our-firm/ Books: https://www.waltar.com/resources/books-published-by/ Webinars and seminars: https://www.waltar.com/seminars/ Hear more podcasts with Steve Waltar at Answers for Elders: https://answersforelders.com/tag/stephen-waltar/ Find an attorney in your st...
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Wills and Trusts are not Tires, You Can't Shop Prices
Saturday, December 7, 2024
How do you make updates to your estate plan? Elder law attorney Steve Waltar joins Suzanne to talk about dos and don'ts. Visit the Legacy Estate Planning website at waltar.com for beneficial articles, resources, and webinars. Steve Waltar: https://www.waltar.com/our-firm/about-our-firm/ Books: https://www.waltar.com/resources/books-published-by/ Webinars and seminars: https://www.waltar.com/seminars/ Hear more podcasts with Steve Waltar at Answers for Elders: https://answersforelders.com/tag/stephen-waltar/ Check out our affiliate podcast Alzheimer’s Speaks See omnystudio.com/listener for ...
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Your Legal Documents: Are Kids Unequal?
Saturday, December 7, 2024
With a new year arriving, it's time to consider reviewing and updating legal documents. Elder law attorney Steve Waltar joins Suzanne to talk about when to update estate plans. Visit the Legacy Estate Planning website at waltar.com for beneficial articles, resources, and webinars. Steve Waltar: https://www.waltar.com/our-firm/about-our-firm/ Books: https://www.waltar.com/resources/books-published-by/ Webinars and seminars: https://www.waltar.com/seminars/ Hear more podcasts with Steve Waltar at Answers for Elders: https://answersforelders.com/tag/stephen-waltar/ Check out our affiliate pod...
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10 Years in Jail for Breaking New LLC Law
Saturday, December 7, 2024
Elder law attorney Steve Waltar joins Suzanne to talk about the Corporate Transparency Act, a new federal law made to thwart money laundering, but has overreaching implications for owners of new and existing small businesses and their legal agents across America. Visit the Legacy Estate Planning website at waltar.com for beneficial articles, resources, and webinars. Steve Waltar: https://www.waltar.com/our-firm/about-our-firm/ Books: https://www.waltar.com/resources/books-published-by/ Webinars and seminars: https://www.waltar.com/seminars/ Hear more podcasts with Steve Waltar at Answers f...
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Seeing Caregivers Celebrated and Heard
Saturday, November 2, 2024
Kitty Norton, director of the film Wine, Women, & Dementia, joins Suzanne to talk about reactions to her documentary. Wine, Women, and Dementia premieres November 2 on PBS. Watch at PBS Online or download the PBS App to stream from your favorite devices. Check your local PBS Member Station for air dates and times in your area. See a list of upcoming local broadcasts here. * Hear more podcasts with Kitty Norton* Hear more podcasts about caregiving and caregivers* Check out our affiliate podcast Alzheimer’s SpeaksSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Kitty's Top Tips for Caregivers
Saturday, November 2, 2024
Kitty Norton, director of the documentary Wine, Women, & Dementia, joins Suzanne to offer her best advice for caregivers. Wine, Women, and Dementia premieres November 2 on PBS. Watch at PBS Online or download the PBS App to stream from your favorite devices. Check your local PBS Member Station for air dates and times in your area. See a list of upcoming local broadcasts here. * Hear more podcasts with Kitty Norton* Hear more podcasts about caregiving and caregivers* Check out our affiliate podcast Alzheimer’s SpeaksSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Caregiving: Things I Wish I'd Known
Saturday, November 2, 2024
Kitty Norton, director of the documentary Wine, Women, & Dementia, joins Suzanne to talk about her movie's premiere on many PBS markets at various times beginning November 2. New York, San Francisco, and Los Angeles PBS stations will air it this month. Check local listings to see if it will air on your local PBS station. Wine, Women, and Dementia premieres November 2 on PBS. Watch at PBS Online or download the PBS App to stream from your favorite devices. Check your local PBS Member Station for air dates and times in your area. See a list of upcoming local broadcasts here. * Hear more podca...
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Humor and Caregiver Smack: Wine, Women, & Dementia
Saturday, November 2, 2024
Kitty Norton, director of the documentary Wine, Women, & Dementia, joins Suzanne to talk about her movie's premiere on PBS. Kitty talks about caregiving for her mom, blogging about everything that she and her sister were going through, using humor to cope and surrender to the moment. She became friends with people across the world who enjoyed the blog. Wine, Women, and Dementia premieres November 2 on PBS. Watch at PBS Online or download the PBS App to stream from your favorite devices. Check your local PBS Member Station for air dates and times in your area. See a list of upcoming local br...
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Unlocking Hope: Guide to Alzheimer's Volunteering
Saturday, September 28, 2024
Learn about various ways people can volunteer for the Alzheimer's Association. Alexis Bonoff, Program Director of the Alzheimer's Association in Washington state, joins Suzanne to talk about volunteering and also the organization's clinical trial match tool. Check out the Alzheimer’s Association TrialMatch, which connects individuals living with Alzheimer's, caregivers, and healthy volunteers to clinical trials that may advance Alzheimer's research. It's free and allows you to see which studies are a good fit for you or your loved ones. Visit https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/research...
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Support for Families With Alzheimer's
Saturday, September 28, 2024
How do you find resources and information to help care for families dealing with a senior loved one with Alzheimer's or dementia? Alexis Bonoff, Program Director of the Alzheimer's Association in Washington state, joins Suzanne to talk about how to find information, their 24/7 hotline, and more. Visit alz.org/walk and enter your zip code to find the Walk nearest you to register or donate. Check out alz.org to learn more. Reach master level clinicians at their 24/7 help line at 800-272-3900. Hear more podcasts about the Walks: https://answersforelders.com/tag/alzheimers-walks/ * Check out ou...
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Decoding Alzheimer's: How to Get Answers
Saturday, September 28, 2024
Take advantage of the resources of the Alzheimer's Association to help care for families dealing with a senior loved one with Alzheimer's or dementia. Alexis Bonoff, Program Director of the Alzheimer's Association in Washington state, joins Suzanne to talk about the resources and programs. Visit alz.org/walk and enter your zip code to find the Walk nearest you to register or donate. Check out alz.org to learn more. Reach master level clinicians at their 24/7 help line at 800-272-3900. Hear more podcasts about the Walks: https://answersforelders.com/tag/alzheimers-walks/ * Check out our affi...
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Embracing Change: Help to Adapt Family Life to Alzheimer's
Saturday, September 28, 2024
Alexis Bonoff, Program Director of the Alzheimer's Association in Washington state, joins Suzanne to talk about the Walk to End Alzheimer's and various programs and resources of the Alzheimer's Association. Visit alz.org/walk and enter your zip code to find the Walk nearest you to register or donate. Check out alz.org to learn more. Reach master level clinicians at their 24/7 help line at 800-272-3900. Hear more podcasts about the Walks: https://answersforelders.com/tag/alzheimers-walks/ * Check out our affiliate podcast Alzheimer’s Speaks: https://alzheimersspeaks.comSee omnystudio.com/lis...
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Alzheimer's Fundraising: How to Ask for Money
Saturday, September 21, 2024
Cory Townsend, Director of Development for the Alzheimers Association, Washington branch, joins Suzanne to talk about fundraising for the Walk to End Alzheimer's. In this segment, Cory provides advice for people who feel uncomfortable asking people to donate. Visit alz.org/walk and enter your zip code to find the Walk nearest you to register or donate. Check out alz.org to learn more. Reach master level clinicians at their 24/7 help line at 800-272-3900. Hear more podcasts about the Walks: https://answersforelders.com/tag/alzheimers-walks/ * Check out our affiliate podcast Alzheimer’s Speak...
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Alzheimer's: Importance of Fundraising
Saturday, September 21, 2024
Cory Townsend, Director of Development for the Alzheimers Association, Washington branch, joins Suzanne to talk about fundraising for the Walk to End Alzheimer's. Visit alz.org/walk and enter your zip code to find the Walk nearest you to register or donate. Check out alz.org to learn more. Reach master level clinicians at their 24/7 help line at 800-272-3900. Hear more podcasts about the Walks: https://answersforelders.com/tag/alzheimers-walks/ * Check out our affiliate podcast Alzheimer’s Speaks: https://alzheimersspeaks.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Alzheimer's: Employers and Caregivers
Saturday, September 21, 2024
Cory Townsend, Director of Development for the Alzheimers Association, Washington branch, joins Suzanne to talk about the Walk to End Alzheimer's. This segment focuses on employers beginning to adapt to the needs of family members caregiving for a senior loved one with Alzheimer's or dementia. Visit alz.org/walk and enter your zip code to find the Walk nearest you to register or donate. Check out alz.org to learn more. Reach master level clinicians at their 24/7 help line at 800-272-3900. Hear more podcasts about the Walks: https://answersforelders.com/tag/alzheimers-walks/ * Check out our ...
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Grandpa Forgot My Name
Saturday, September 21, 2024
Cory Townsend, Director of Development for the Alzheimers Association, Washington branch, joins Suzanne to talk about the Walk to End Alzheimer's. Visit alz.org/walk and enter your zip code to find the Walk nearest you to register or donate. Check out alz.org to learn more. Reach master level clinicians at their 24/7 help line at 800-272-3900. Hear more podcasts about the Walks: https://answersforelders.com/tag/alzheimers-walks/ * Check out our affiliate podcast Alzheimer’s Speaks: https://alzheimersspeaks.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Alzheimer's Pet Stories to Cry For
Saturday, September 14, 2024
Therapy animals make a difference in the lives of people with Alzheimer's and dementia. Washington Therapy Dogs' manager Marlina Velasco-Barker joins Suzanne to talk about the science and successes of therapy dogs. Episodes this month support the Walk to End Alzheimer's. She mentions the article "Pet Power" on the Alzheimer's Association's website https://www.alz.org/news/2023/pet-power. The article says, "Animal therapy is an accessible and inexpensive practice that has been shown to provide a wide variety of behavioral and emotional benefits for people living with dementia. The Alzheimer'...
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Training Pets for Alzheimer's Dog Therapy
Saturday, September 14, 2024
More than 100 therapy dogs and their handlers have joined Answers for Elder's Washington Therapy Dogs group to visit senior living communities and bring joy to those with Alzheimer's and dementia. Manager Marlina Velasco-Barker joins Suzanne to talk about the process of going about training your pet to become a therapy dog. Episodes this month support the Walk to End Alzheimer's. The group started during the pandemic. Marlina says, "There are no required prerequisites to go in for an evaluation with any organizations listed on the American Kennel Club's website, but many recommend basic obe...
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Alzheimer's and Pet Owners
Wednesday, September 11, 2024
Supporting the Walk to End Alzheimer's, this episode is about animal-assisted intervention for those with Alzheimer's and dementia, specifically therapy animals. Washington Therapy Dogs' manager Marlina Velasco-Barker joins Suzanne to talk about a therapy dog team formed as an extension of Answers for Elders. In this segment, Marlina talks about seniors with Alzheimer's who have their own pets. To collaborate or learn more about dog training in the U.S., visit watherapydogs.com. Visit alz.org/walk and enter your zip code to find the Walk nearest you to register or donate. Check out alz.org ...