Episodes

  • Episode 311 - How Speech Therapy Supports Cognitive Health

    Episode 311 - How Speech Therapy Supports Cognitive Health
    Feb 18 2026
    Speech therapy is about more than words. In this episode, outreach coordinator Dana Hentschel talks with speech-language pathologist Olivia Golchi about how therapy can support memory, communication, attention, and independence for adults experiencing cognitive changes. Learn: - What cognitive decline looks like in real life - When to seek support - How caregivers can be involved - Practical strategies for brain health - A powerful conversation about staying connected, empowered, and supported as we age. 🔊 Listen now and follow Aging Starts Now for more conversations about aging, care, and planning.
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    28 mins
  • Episode 310 - Medicare Fraud Alert for Every Medicare Recipient

    Episode 310 - Medicare Fraud Alert for Every Medicare Recipient
    Feb 11 2026
    A Medicare fraud scam involving medical equipment—specifically urinary catheters—has resurfaced, leading to fraudulent claims being paid for services beneficiaries never requested or received. In this episode, Dana Hentschel speaks with Tyler McCullar, Public Benefits Specialist at Johnson McGinnis Elder Care Law & Estate Planning, about: • How this scam operates • Warning signs on Medicare Summary Notices • Steps beneficiaries and caregivers should take immediately • How reporting fraud helps protect future benefits This is essential information for professionals, caregivers, and families working with Medicare recipients.
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    26 mins
  • Episode 309 - Will the Nursing Home Take My House? Understanding Estate Recovery

    Episode 309 - Will the Nursing Home Take My House? Understanding Estate Recovery
    Feb 4 2026
    Many people don’t learn about Medicaid estate recovery until they’re already facing loss. In this episode, host Aging Starts Now is joined by Barbara McGinnis, Certified Elder Law Attorney, to explain what estate recovery is, how it works, and why it matters for families using Medicaid to pay for care. This episode explores: • Common fears and misconceptions • Assets most often affected • How estate recovery impacts families • Why understanding the rules early can make a difference
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    20 mins
  • Episode 308 - Why Every Caregiver Needs a Weather Backup Plan

    Episode 308 - Why Every Caregiver Needs a Weather Backup Plan
    Jan 28 2026
    Severe weather can quickly disrupt caregiving routines—putting older adults and caregivers at risk. In this episode, Outreach Coordinator Dana Hentschel speaks with elder care coordinators Erin Keogh-Rankin, Janel Heflin, and Pati Bedwell about how caregivers can prepare for emergencies before they happen. This conversation covers: • Why relying on a single plan is risky • Common misconceptions about preparedness • Actionable steps caregivers can take immediately Whether you work in elder care, support caregivers, or are caring for a loved one yourself, this episode offers valuable, real-world guidance.
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    21 mins
  • Episode 307 - Choosing the Right Executor: When a Professional May Be the Best Choice

    Episode 307 - Choosing the Right Executor: When a Professional May Be the Best Choice
    Jan 21 2026
    An executor plays a critical role in settling an estate—managing assets, paying debts, navigating legal requirements, and serving as the point person during an emotional and often stressful time for families. While many people automatically name a spouse, adult child, or close friend, that decision isn’t always the simplest—or the wisest—choice. In this episode of Aging Starts Now, Erin Keogh-Rankin, Elder Care Coordinator at Johnson McGinnis Elder Care Law & Estate Planning, sits down with Mollie Lacher, Founder of Sunny Care Services, to discuss professional executors. Together, they explore what professional executors do, when it makes sense to use one, how fees work, and how a neutral third party can reduce family stress, conflict, and confusion. Whether you’re planning ahead for yourself or helping a loved one navigate estate planning decisions, this conversation offers clarity and confidence around one of the most overlooked—but most important—roles in your estate plan. Key topics include: - What an executor really does (and why it’s more work than most people expect) - When a professional executor may be the best choice - Benefits for complex estates, blended families, or high-conflict situations - How professional executor fees work—and how they compare to the hidden costs of family conflict -Why naming a backup executor matters 🎙 Aging Starts Now is brought to you by Johnson McGinnis Elder Care Law & Estate Planning, a Life Care Planning Law Firm helping families navigate the legal, financial, and healthcare challenges that come with aging and disability.
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    24 mins
  • Episode 306: Occupational Therapy 101: Supporting Independence at Home

    Episode 306: Occupational Therapy 101: Supporting Independence at Home
    Jan 14 2026
    What if independence isn’t about doing everything alone—but about having the right support? On this episode of Aging Starts Now, host Pati Bedwell, elder care coordinator at Johnson McGinnis Elder Care Law & Estate Planning, sits down with occupational therapist Ebony Porter to explore how occupational therapy helps older adults live safely, confidently, and independently. We clear up common misconceptions about OT, discuss who can benefit (including those with cognitive changes), and share practical examples of how occupational therapy supports aging in place, reduces fall risk, and eases caregiver stress. Whether you’re an older adult, a family member, or a caregiver, this conversation may change how you think about independence. 🎙️ Listen now and share with someone who could benefit.
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    22 mins
  • Episode 305 - What to Do With Your Important Papers

    Episode 305 - What to Do With Your Important Papers
    Jan 7 2026
    📂 Organizing Important Papers: Where to Start Most people know organizing important documents is important—but many don’t know where to begin. In this episode of Aging Starts Now, Outreach Coordinator Dana Hentschel is joined by Josh Hunter, Associate Attorney at Johnson McGinnis Elder Care Law & Estate Planning, to break it down in a practical, approachable way. We discuss: • Essential documents everyone should have • How and where to store them safely • Who should know where they are • Why organizing your paperwork matters at any age Getting your important papers in order isn’t about expecting the worst—it’s about preparation, clarity, and protecting the people you love. 🎧 Listen now and take one small step toward peace of mind.
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    23 mins
  • Episode 304- Do You Know Your Resident Rights?

    Episode 304- Do You Know Your Resident Rights?
    Dec 31 2025
    Resident rights matter—especially when a loved one is living in an assisted living or skilled nursing facility. In this episode of Aging Starts Now, Outreach Coordinator Dana Hentschel is joined by Elder Care Coordinator Pati Bedwell of Johnson McGinnis Elder Care Law & Estate Planning for an essential conversation about resident rights in long-term care settings. Together, they break down what residents are entitled to, how those rights differ between assisted living and skilled nursing facilities, and what protections exist to safeguard dignity, safety, and quality of care. From privacy and medical decision-making to financial transparency and protection from neglect or retaliation, this episode equips families with the knowledge they need to stay informed, involved, and empowered. Whether you are a resident, a family member, or a caregiver, this discussion will help you better understand how to advocate effectively—while still respecting autonomy and independence.
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    27 mins