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Your Parents Are Turning 65 - It's Time to Have "The Talk"
Manage episode 479922568 series 3566555
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What if we approached aging with the same enthusiasm and preparation as expecting parents planning for a baby? This transformative perspective is just one of the powerful insights Kayla Cook brings to our discussion on navigating senior care with confidence and compassion.
Drawing from her psychology background and extensive experience in home health and hospice, Kayla challenges common misconceptions that prevent families from accessing vital resources at the right time. She paints a vivid picture of modern senior living communities that feel more like cruise ships than clinical facilities, with vibrant activities and amenities designed to help residents thrive rather than merely exist.
Our conversation tackles the widespread misunderstanding of hospice care, revealing how this Medicare-covered service can actually extend life while dramatically improving its quality when utilized early enough. Yet many families wait until the final days of life, missing months of comprehensive support that could transform their experience.
Kayla advocates for proactive planning, suggesting families begin care conversations at milestone moments like a 65th birthday, when everyone is still healthy enough to express their preferences clearly. This approach normalizes aging as another life stage worthy of thoughtful preparation rather than something to be feared or avoided.
We explore underutilized resources from specialized fitness training to help maintain crucial muscle mass, to educational programs like Kayla's upcoming "Senior Pathways" course. This monthly program will equip families with practical knowledge about dementia stages, available resources, and financing options without sales pressure.
Listen now to reframe your approach to aging and discover how early planning can transform this journey from one of crisis management to meaningful connection. Join Kayla's first Senior Pathways course on May 1st at Abington Senior Living in Murray to take your first step toward confident, compassionate care planning.
RSVP here: https://web.facebook.com/SeniorPathwaysUT
• Psychology background shapes Kayla's person-centered approach to helping families make difficult care decisions
• Modern senior living communities offer vibrant social environments comparable to cruise ships, far from outdated stereotypes
• Hospice care is drastically underutilized and misunderstood – studies show it can actually extend life by about 15 days
• Families should start care planning conversations at milestone moments like age 65, long before crises occur
• Physical fitness and muscle maintenance are critical yet overlooked factors in healthy aging and longevity
• Understanding the landscape of Medicare-covered versus private pay options requires early education
• Senior Pathways course launches May 1st to help families understand dementia stages, caregiving tips, and available resources
Chapters
1. Welcome to Senior Care Academy (00:00:00)
2. From Psychology to Gerontology (00:01:30)
3. Common Misconceptions About Senior Care (00:05:50)
4. The Truth About Hospice Care (00:08:50)
5. Being Proactive vs Reactive in Care Planning (00:14:20)
6. Underutilized Resources for Families (00:21:40)
7. Senior Pathways: A Course for Families (00:24:30)
54 episodes
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