Shows
Senior Care Academy - A Helperly PodcastChristmas Fishbowl (Special Episode)Send us a textWe pull holiday questions from a bowl to reflect on care, family rituals, and what truly matters at the end of a long year. From a Grinch suit to a weekly visit that may have saved a life, we land on one simple ask for Christmas morning.• playful traditions that spark connection • why small, steady acts keep seniors thriving • the ache for family togetherness and how to bridge it • foods that carry comfort and memory • a year summed up as learning in service • gratitude for teams who carry the mis...
2025-12-1716 min
Senior Care Academy - A Helperly PodcastCommon Sense Over Hype: Safer Retirement Paths with Barry James DykeSend us a textWhat if the game isn’t just hard—it’s tilted? We sit down with Barry James Dyke, president of Castle Asset Management and author of The Pirates of Manhattan, to unpack why so much financial “wisdom” is marketing, where today’s biggest risks actually hide, and how seniors can secure dependable income without betting the house.Barry explains how banking really works, why central bank policy shapes your grocery bill, and the uncomfortable truth about incentives on Wall Street. We get into the coming hazards he sees in private credit, private equi...
2025-11-2628 min
Senior Care Academy - A Helperly PodcastMaking Holidays Work For Aging Parents: Real Barriers, Simple Fixes, Lasting MomentsSend us a textHoliday magic can feel heavy when you’re juggling aging parents, scattered schedules, and tight budgets. We dive into what actually makes the season hard for older adults—loneliness, mobility limits, chronic conditions, grief, and the quiet pressure to spend—and we share straightforward ways to make celebrations safer, calmer, and more meaningful without overhauling your plans. From thoughtful seating and shorter visits to familiar music and low-stimulation spaces, you’ll get practical ideas you can use this week.We also talk about money stress on fixed incomes, why “I’m fine” can hi...
2025-11-1919 min
Senior Care Academy - A Helperly PodcastReverse Mortgages Demystified With Kevin GuttmanSend us a textMost retirees don’t run out of love for life—they run out of cash flow. We sit down with Kevin Guttman, one of just 218 certified reverse mortgage professionals in the U.S., to unpack how today’s FHA‑backed reverse mortgages actually work, who they help, and why their reputation hasn’t caught up with reality. Kevin brings more than two decades of lending experience, nonprofit roots, and a people‑first approach to a topic crowded with myths and fear.We walk through the modern safeguards that protect seniors—HUD counseling, no...
2025-11-1224 min
Senior Care Academy - A Helperly PodcastStability Over Strategy: Rethinking Family Finance In Later Life ft. Anne TaylorSend us a textMoney becomes a monster in the closet when aging, memory loss, and online fraud collide. We pull the light switch. With Anne Taylor, founder of Grace Point Family CFO and former chief compliance officer stewarding over $300M in assets, we unpack how families can replace panic with predictability and give parents what they want most: independence with dignity.We talk about the daughter’s dilemma—helping without overreach—and the moment when waiting turns into crisis. Anne breaks down what a Family CFO actually does: aligning with your financial advisor, attorney, and ac...
2025-11-0527 min
Senior Care Academy - A Helperly PodcastYou’re Not Too Old: A 75-Year-Old CrossFitter Proves Consistency Changes EverythingSend us a textWhat if growing older meant growing stronger? That’s the reality Beverly McCarter created after walking into a CrossFit gym at 63. Now 75, she trains six days a week, deadlifts 170, and chases grandkids with the kind of energy that turns errands into adventures. We explore the simple shifts that changed everything: building muscle to take pressure off joints, turning “slow” into a mindset advantage, and using small, repeatable systems to make hydration, protein, and sleep automatic.Beverly opens up about the aches, osteoporosis, and carpal tunnel that led her to try strength traini...
2025-10-2927 min
Senior Care Academy - A Helperly PodcastWhat happens when leadership treats caregivers like people, not positions ft. Riley MooreSend us a textWhat if the biggest lever for better elder care isn’t a new tool, but a different kind of leader? We sit down with Riley Moore—whose journey spans skilled nursing, assisted living, memory care, and now family medicine at Lakeview—to unpack how pay, culture, and everyday choices shape outcomes for seniors and the teams who serve them. Riley makes a clear, grounded case: when leaders show up on the floor, take the toughest call light, and coach with empathy, turnover drops and care quality rises.We explore the quiet mechan...
2025-10-2224 min
Senior Care Academy - A Helperly PodcastFrom Battlefield to Bedside: Reinventing Rehab with AI ft. Sheila BuswellSend us a textWhat if rehab care didn’t mean waiting hours for help to do the most basic things? We sit down with Sheila Buswell—Army veteran, engineer, and CEO of Buswell Biomedical—to unpack how a life‑altering injury and her mother’s hip fracture exposed a quiet truth: activities of daily living are overdue for a humane upgrade. Sheila shares the origin of Upmo, a patented mobility system that navigates like a Roomba, syncs to a patient’s RFID strap, and uses LIDAR and IMU sensors to support movement, detect instability, and prevent dangerous fa...
2025-10-1525 min
Senior Care Academy - A Helperly PodcastHow to Travel Well After 60—Safety, Joy, and Realistic PlansSend us a textMost bucket lists go quiet after 61—not because the desire fades, but because barriers get louder. We unpack the real reasons older adults stop traveling (no companion, health worries, cost) and replace them with practical steps that make meaningful trips feel possible again. From choosing the right pace and accessible destinations to planning for medical needs without panic, we lay out a clear, repeatable approach families can use to turn “someday” into booked.We dig into smart destination choices—why national parks with shuttles and viewpoints can deliver awe without strain, and how...
2025-10-0812 min
Senior Care Academy - A Helperly PodcastThe Power of Social Connection in AgingSend us a textLoneliness isn't just an emotional challenge for seniors—it's a serious health crisis that can literally shorten lives. When a spouse passes away after decades of marriage, the surviving partner often follows within a year, not from illness but from losing their reason to live. But it doesn't have to be this way.This eye-opening episode dives deep into how social connection acts as a vital life force for aging adults. You'll hear powerful real-world examples, like a grandfather who survived six years after losing his wife thanks to a fishing bu...
2025-10-0116 min
Senior Care Academy - A Helperly PodcastBusting Myths About Getting Older with Briana VelardeSend us a textAging is a privilege, not a problem. This perspective-shifting conversation with gerontologist Briana Velarde challenges everything you thought you knew about growing older.Drawing from her expertise as coordinator of the Optimal Aging Program at the Huntsman Mental Health Institute, Velarde redefines successful aging as adaptability rather than the avoidance of change. She dismantles harmful stereotypes suggesting that aging inevitably leads to decline and dependency, offering instead a vision of continued growth, purpose, and joy throughout life's later chapters.The science is clear—your mindset about aging significantly impacts yo...
2025-09-2429 min
Senior Care Academy - A Helperly PodcastHealthcare Reform Reimagined: The Utah CARES Act with Joseph JarvisSend us a textWhen a hospital CEO candidly admitted to Dr. Joseph Jarvis that they diverted non-paying patients elsewhere despite having available beds, it crystallized everything wrong with America's healthcare system. In this eye-opening conversation, Dr. Jarvis—physician, public health leader, and healthcare reform advocate—shares his groundbreaking vision for transforming healthcare access in Utah and potentially nationwide.The Utah CARES Act represents a radical yet practical approach to healthcare reform that could eliminate the bureaucratic middlemen wasting billions while ensuring every resident receives necessary medical care without financial barriers. Dr. Jarvis artfully dismantles the...
2025-09-1728 min
Senior Care Academy - A Helperly PodcastSenior Care in Crisis: How Government Regulations Impact Quality of Life with Allison SpanglerSend us a textThe crisis in senior care isn't coming—it's already here. With Utah nursing homes forced to deny 1,200 admissions in 2023 and the state's senior population projected to grow 18% by 2027, we're facing critical questions about how to care for our aging loved ones.Allison Spangler, President and CEO of the Utah Healthcare Association, takes us behind the curtain of healthcare policy and advocacy. Her journey from hands-on caregiver to policy champion offers a unique perspective on the challenges facing senior care today. "I fell in love with helping older adults, being their family," sh...
2025-09-1029 min
Senior Care Academy - A Helperly PodcastThe Hidden Costs of Delayed Caregiving with Raymond LavineSend us a textPlanning for long-term care might be the most important conversation your family isn't having. In this eye-opening episode, Raymond Lavine, founder of Lavine LTC Benefits, reveals why waiting to address caregiving needs creates unnecessary financial and emotional burdens for families across America.Drawing from his personal experience caring for both parents, Raymond shares powerful insights that go beyond insurance policies to the heart of what matters: preserving relationships when caregiving becomes necessary. "Wife should always be wife, son should always be son—not caregivers," he emphasizes, highlighting how proper planning maintains th...
2025-08-2730 min
Senior Care Academy - A Helperly PodcastBridging Generations Through Conversation ft. Danniel Worthen-CullumberSend us a textThe walls between generations seem to grow taller each year. Teenagers roll their eyes at grandparents who "just don't get it," while seniors shake their heads at youth who "don't care enough." But what if these misconceptions are actually preventing some of life's most enriching relationships?Licensed clinical social worker Danniel Worthen-Cullumber joins us to dismantle these barriers with wisdom gained from decades working with both ends of the age spectrum. Her insights reveal something surprising: our discomfort with older generations often stems from fear of our own aging future. By...
2025-08-2029 min
Senior Care Academy - A Helperly PodcastYou've Saved for Retirement, But Will It Be Enough?Send us a textRetirement planning has a serious problem: we're living much longer than previous generations, but our financial preparation hasn't kept pace. With many retirees finding themselves 45% short of what they'll need for a comfortable retirement lasting potentially 30+ years, what options do we have?Laura Phillips, a licensed reverse mortgage specialist with over 25 years of experience, joins us to demystify one powerful but often misunderstood financial tool - the modern reverse mortgage. She tackles the elephant in the room immediately, acknowledging the product's controversial reputation while explaining how today's reverse mortgages differ dramatically...
2025-08-1327 min
Senior Care Academy - A Helperly PodcastYour Parents Are Turning 65 - It's Time to Have "The Talk"Send us a textWhat 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...
2025-04-3029 min
Senior Care Academy - A Helperly PodcastDementia Caregiving: Finding Joy Amid Challenges with Beth FauthSend us a textWhen caregiving for someone with dementia, the most powerful support might not be what you expect. Dr. Beth Fauth, director of Utah State University's Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia Research Center, reveals transformative approaches to dementia care that benefit both caregivers and their loved ones.What began as an unexpected passion during her college studies has evolved into groundbreaking research on caregiver support. Dr. Fauth shares how her multidisciplinary approach—drawing from psychology, healthcare, family studies, and even architecture—creates a more comprehensive understanding of dementia caregiving challenges. "Understanding the mechanism of how...
2025-04-2343 min
Senior Care Academy - A Helperly PodcastWhen Memory Fades: Practical Support for Alzheimer's and Dementia Patients ft. Kristy RussellSend us a textKristy Russell takes us on a deeply personal and professional journey through the world of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD). As Utah's sole specialist covering the entire state, Kristy shares how her grandmother's Lewy body dementia diagnosis transformed her perspective on memory care after initially swearing off working with dementia patients due to challenging experiences.The conversation tackles misconceptions head-on. Memory loss is just one symptom — thinking, behavior, and problem-solving abilities are equally affected. Kristy reveals a startling reality: only half of people with Alzheimer's are diagnosed, and of those, me...
2025-04-0932 min
Senior Care Academy - A Helperly PodcastCare Beyond Walls: Transforming Senior Healthcare with Matt HansenSend us a textWhat happens when a doctor of physical therapy who swore he'd never work with older adults discovers his true calling in senior care? Matt Hansen, Executive Director of the Home Care and Hospice Association of Utah, takes us on his remarkable journey from pediatric specialist to passionate advocate for quality home-based care.Matt reveals how his perspective dramatically shifted when he recognized the profound similarities between life's bookends—young children and seniors often share the clearest understanding of what truly matters in life. Through candid storytelling, he challenges some of our mo...
2025-04-0227 min
Caring for Your Aging ParentsAnticipating and Preparing For Evolving Health ConditionsLet’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 support that align with your loved one's medical and cultural needs. I also highlight the financial aspects of in-home care, providing insights into various payment methods, particularly for seniors with dementia....
2025-04-0118 min
Senior Care Academy - A Helperly PodcastBetter Nutrition and Diet for Senior Health with Amy CovingtonSend us a textCould changing your diet in your 70s actually improve your health, or is it too late? According to nutrition expert Amy Covington, the power to transform health through diet remains strong throughout our entire lives.Amy shares the remarkable story of a senior who initially refused to change his eating habits but experienced dramatic improvements in his diabetes management and mobility after just six months of nutritional changes. This transformation challenges the widespread belief that older adults can't reverse chronic conditions or improve their metabolic health.Drawing from her...
2025-03-1943 min
Senior Care Academy - A Helperly PodcastAging Well: Can Tai Chi Really Help?Send us a textExperience the enlightening journey of Connie Assiff, a passionate caregiver and Tai Chi instructor, who shares her inspiring story about navigating the challenges of caregiving while advocating for holistic health for seniors. From her unexpected start as a caregiver at 25, Connie has dedicated her life to empowering families with the tools and resources needed to ensure aging with dignity. In this episode, we delve into the multifaceted lessons she learned over her nearly three-decade-long journey. Connie discusses the current understanding of aging, the importance of health literacy, and the transformative power o...
2025-02-2534 min
Senior Care Academy - A Helperly PodcastSenior Care Last 2024: The Biggest Trends Changing the IndustrySend us a textWhat if the future of senior care lies in the seamless integration of technology and human compassion? Get ready to explore this fascinating intersection in our latest episode of the Senior Care Academy podcast. Aaron and I delve into the trends shaping senior care in 2024, as the industry recalibrates after the COVID-19 disruptions. We uncover the significant demand for senior care services despite the stagnant growth in caregiver numbers. Join us as we highlight insights from the Utah Symposium on Aging Care, which inspire fresh approaches to meet these challenges and underscore the...
2025-02-1929 min
Senior Care Academy - A Helperly PodcastAging Gracefully: Supporting Senior’s Mental Health with Pam and ByranSend us a textPam Hill and Brian Tucher from Beacon Therapy reveal the transformative power of therapy for seniors, joined by their delightful therapy dog, Hal. Experience firsthand how they create a nurturing space that allows older adults to express their emotions freely, overcoming the stigma of mental health often faced by the elderly. By sharing their compassionate approach, Pam and Brian emphasize the critical role of building trust and friendship to help seniors find renewed purpose and joy even amidst the challenges of aging.Listeners will gain valuable insights into the nuances of...
2025-02-1235 minCaring for Your Aging ParentsTalking to Your Parents About Moving into Retirement LivingCaring For Your Aging ParentsSeason 02 Episode 18Talking to Your Parents About Moving into Retirement LivingDelve 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 practical advice on navigating these sensitive conversations with empathy and respect, aiming to preserve dignity and maintain strong relationships.Tackle the hurdles of long-distance caregiving...
2025-02-1126 min
Senior Care Academy - A Helperly PodcastSmall Gestures, Big Impact in Caregiving with Janelle BirdSend us a textWhat happens when a personal experience turns into a lifelong calling? Janelle Bird shares her journey from caring for her brother with Down syndrome to becoming a dedicated in-home caregiver for seniors. She highlights the deep connections she forms with clients, where trust, empathy, and small yet meaningful gestures make a lasting impact.In this episode, we explore the universal experiences of seniors and individuals with disabilities, the power of presence in caregiving, and how small acts of kindness can transform lives. Janelle also offers insights on preventing burnout and sustaining...
2025-02-0525 min