Shows
Advice From Your AdvocatesCaregiver’s Guide to Easing Dementia Behaviors: Healing Through Understanding Past TraumaIn this episode, we explore vital elder care strategies focused on understanding dementia behaviors through the lens of personal history, trauma, and emotional support. Elder Law Attorney Bob Mannor interviews dementia care expert and author Tami Anastasia, MA to uncover how caregivers can use care planning that honors the individual beneath the diagnosis.Instead of dismissing actions as "just dementia," we dive into roots such as family patterns, old roles, and early wounds that resurface as coping skills diminish. This insights-driven approach empowers caregivers with practical strategies—soothing language, anchoring routines, and environment adaptations—that reduce agitation and...
2026-01-1524 min
Advice From Your AdvocatesWhy Caregivers Are Key to Effective Elder Care PlanningIn this insightful episode of Advice From Your Advocates Podcast, host Bob Mannor, nationally recognized elder law attorney and dementia advocate, speaks with Josh Klein, founder and CEO of Emerest, Royal Care, and U@Perks, leaders in home healthcare and elder care strategies. This episode explores the critical role of caregivers in effective care planning and elder care, highlighting how their continuous interaction with patients brings valuable insights often missed by traditional healthcare providers. Listeners will discover why caregivers are fundamental to delivering personalized, patient-centered care and how their observations improve healthcare evaluations and outcomes. Josh and B...
2026-01-0227 min
Advice From Your AdvocatesDementia Care & Independence: The Power of PACEIn this episode of Advice From Your Advocates, Elder Law Attorney Bob Mannor sits down with Jessica Downing of Ascension Living PACE to unpack the Program for All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly, better known as PACE.Together, they explore how PACE supports senior independence, provides comprehensive healthcare services, and removes some of the biggest barriers aging adults face, including transportation, access to Medicare/Medicaid–covered care, and reliable support for those living with dementia.Jessica explains how PACE’s wraparound model, featuring 11 healthcare disciplines, helps older adults stay safely in their homes and communities. They also...
2025-12-1619 min
Advice From Your AdvocatesHoliday Tips and Care Planning for Dementia Caregivers: Simple Strategies for a More Peaceful SeasonThanksgiving and other holidays can be especially challenging for caregivers and families managing dementia and elder care. In this episode of Advice From Your Advocates, Board-Certified Elder Law Attorney Bob Mannor joins Executive Director Savannah Meksto, Certified Dementia Practitioner, to discuss caregiving during the holidays with practical elder care strategies and care planning advice.They explore how caregivers can reduce overwhelm, manage emotional overload, and create meaningful connections even as traditions evolve. Topics include handling dementia-related changes in family gatherings, dealing with sundowning and overstimulation, coordinating caregiving shifts, and simplifying meal planning during the holidays....
2025-11-2524 min
Advice From Your AdvocatesThe Healing Power of Communication: Rethinking Mental Health in Elder CareIn this enlightening episode of Advice From Your Advocates, Attorney Bob Mannor sits down with Dr. Fred Moss, a psychiatrist who’s redefining what mental health care can look like—especially for older adults. Together, they explore how genuine communication and human connection often achieve more than medication ever could.Dr. Moss shares his decades-long journey through psychiatry, from witnessing the over-medication of elderly patients to discovering that true healing begins when people are treated as humans, not diagnoses. This conversation challenges traditional ideas about dementia, mental illness, and medication management, offering a fres...
2025-10-3020 min
Advice From Your AdvocatesHospital Safety Secrets for Caregivers: Protecting Elders in HealthcareWhat if we told you that up to 400,000 Americans die each year from preventable harm in hospitals?That shocking statistic is just the beginning of what Dr. Julie Siemers, founder of LifeBeat Solutions, reveals in this eye-opening conversation.In this episode of Advice From Your Advocates Podcast, Elder Law Attorney Bob Mannor speaks with Dr. Julie Siemers about the critical issues surrounding patient safety and medical harm in healthcare. They discuss the alarming statistics of preventable harm, the importance of family involvement in healthcare advocacy, and the need for effective communication between healthcare providers and...
2025-09-2525 min
Advice From Your AdvocatesInside the Dutch Dementia Village: Revolutionizing Dementia CareWhat if we completely reimagined dementia care? In this eye-opening episode, Bob Mannor and Amy Persails take you inside their extraordinary visit to Hogeweyk, the revolutionary dementia village in Amsterdam that's transforming traditional memory care. This unique approach to elder care champions dignity, freedom, and quality of life for people with severe dementia, offering a new perspective on the challenges caregivers face.Within the cobblestone streets of Hogeweyk, you'll find real grocery stores, restaurants, and pubs—not just window dressing but symbols of a fundamental shift in philosophy compared to typical American facilities. Here, residents are encouraged to...
2025-08-0824 min
Advice From Your AdvocatesTrapped in the Middle: Legal and Emotional Pressures of the Sandwich GenerationThe silent struggle of caring for both aging parents and growing children simultaneously affects countless Americans, yet few are prepared for the legal complications that arise. In this eye-opening episode, elder law attorney Bob Mannor and certified dementia practitioner Savannah Meksto unpack the challenges of the "sandwich generation" and provide critical guidance for avoiding costly mistakes.Most families wait until a crisis hits before addressing essential legal preparations, often discovering too late that decades-old documents are insufficient or outdated. As Bob explains, having the right "lifetime documents" in place—specifically separate powers of attorney for medical and fi...
2025-07-0226 min
Advice From Your AdvocatesStaying Home Longer: How the PACE Program Supports Aging in PlaceIn this episode of 'Advice From Your Advocates', hosts Bob Mannor and Savannah Meksto delve into the PACE program, a transformative initiative for elder care. They discuss the eligibility criteria, financial aspects, and the comprehensive care provided under the program. The conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding Medicaid qualifications and the benefits of receiving care at home. Listeners are encouraged to explore the PACE program as a viable option for their loved ones, highlighting the supportive community and medical resources available.Host: Attorney Bob MannorCo-Host: Savannah MekstoExecutive Producer...
2025-06-1224 min
Advice From Your AdvocatesTop Elder Law Myths Busted: Protect Your Family with the Right PlanIn this episode of Advice From Your Advocates, Elder Law Attorney Bob Mannor and Certified Dementia Practitioner Savannah Meksto team up to bust some of the most common myths in estate planning & elder law—and offer real-life advice for families caring for a loved one with dementia.From “I have a will, so I’m all set” to misunderstandings about Medicaid penalties and asset transfers, Bob and Savannah tackle the legal misconceptions that can lead families astray. They also share actionable caregiving tips to help reduce burnout, create routines, and build a supportive care environment.💡 Takeaways i...
2025-05-2719 min
Advice From Your AdvocatesPlan Smarter, Not Harder: Holistic Strategies for Elder Care and Dementia Support"Planning isn't just about the paperwork" In this episode of 'Advice From Your Advocates', Attorney Bob Mannor and co-host / executive producer Savannah Meksto discuss the complexities of elder law, focusing on long-term care planning, the importance of holistic approaches, and the necessity of having essential legal documents like powers of attorney. They emphasize the need for families to start planning early, the significance of building a support team for dementia care, and debunk common legal myths surrounding estate planning. The episode also highlights community resources and support groups available for families dealing with elder care issues.
2024-11-2225 min
Advice From Your AdvocatesCelebrating Holidays with Dementia-Inclusive TraditionsImagine navigating the holiday season with a loved one living with dementia. It's undoubtedly a heart-wrenching reality, yet it also presents an opportunity to connect more profoundly with your loved one. This is the focus of our earnest conversation with the mighty compassionate Elisa Bosley chaplain and founder of Spiritual Elder Care.In this fascinating episode, host Attorney Bob Mannor and Elisa tackle the sensitive subject of including dementia patients in our family and religious traditions. Elisa brings her wealth of experience to the table, offering practical tips for planning ahead and embracing the situation with grace...
2023-12-1333 min
Advice From Your AdvocatesMedicaid, Caregiver Contracts & Why Michigan Seniors Pay the PriceEver wondered how the system could impose penalties on you for simply caring for your loved ones? Prepare to have your eyes opened by Amy Persails, Planning Services Director at Mannor Law Group. Amy brings her vast experience in handling Medicaid cases to this discussion, revealing how the state of Michigan imposes penalties on families seeking in-home care for their elderly relatives. We unravel the intricate web of rules, the hoops one has to jump through, and strategies to protect your assets while still qualifying for Medicaid.We don't just talk theories, we bring you real-life stories...
2023-11-1316 min