In this episode of 805 Talk, I speak with Katie Wilfong, a medical social worker and senior care planning expert, to discuss one of the most critical but often overlooked parts of aging: planning for healthcare needs before a crisis hits.
Drawing from a deeply personal family experience, my mother's journey through different healthcare needs, this conversation highlights the importance of proactive planning and how Katie's expertise helped guide my family through the overwhelming process after my mother's injury and subsequent needs between assisted living and memory care.
This recording is from a few years ago, in December of 2021.
We explore why creating a plan now can make all the difference when the unexpected happens.
We also discuss a service that Katie, and her business partner in Solo Aging Solutions, Ken Kossoff offer. What happens when someone is alone and doesn't have someone to name in the Advanced Healthcare Directive? Or has family, though no one that is relatively close by.
The difference between an Advance Healthcare Directive and a POLST (Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment)
Why choosing the right healthcare advocate is crucial—not just the oldest child
How Solo Aging Solutions steps in when family isn't nearby or available
The emotional costs of not planning ahead
How local resources like Ventura County's senior programs can support families
Why it's important to regularly review and update healthcare wishes
How early planning can save families from making rushed, painful decisions during a crisis
"We plan for so many things in life—but we try to stay away from planning for when we're not as capable. Having these conversations early is truly a gift to your family."
—Katie Wilfong
"In a moment of crisis, you're overwhelmed. Having someone like Katie helping to navigate that maze was absolutely invaluable."
—Jeff Landau
