• Living the Work: When Caregiving Becomes Personal
    Sep 16 2025
    This poignant episode is a heartfelt exploration of love, loss, and what it truly means to show up for someone in their final chapter. Host Jacqui Clark sits down with Frank Cunningham — elder care consultant, placement specialist, and RCFE license holder — who not only helps families navigate senior living but has lived this journey himself. Frank shares the deeply personal story of moving into assisted living while his wife, Judy, entered memory care, the challenges of advocating for her care, and the profound spiritual experience of being present at her passing. Together, Jacqui and Frank discuss resilience, grief, and what Frank calls “soul work” — the calling to serve families through one of life’s hardest transitions. This conversation is raw, honest, and ultimately full of hope, offering comfort to anyone walking a similar path. Links and Resources: Frank Cunningham, RCFE (626) 318-6414 fcunningham19@gmail.com My Calling Inc. https://www.mycallinginc.com/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555758043523 Links and Resources: (Jacqui Clark): Connect with a local Aging Parent Tribe FB Group for caregiver support near you: Aging Parent Tribe SoCal - San Diego : An Info and Support Group | Groups | Facebook- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/1300623337892805⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠This Is Living Well - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.thisislivingwell.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/getreadyforbetteraging⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Aging Well Magazine - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.thisislivingwell.com/magazine⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/GetReadyforBetterAging Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    48 mins
  • From Overmedicated to Empowered: The Role of Patient Advocates
    Aug 19 2025
    Managing medications can be overwhelming for older adults and their families. In this episode of Get Ready for Better Aging, host Jacqui Clark welcomes Dr. Nancy Taylor, founder of TaylorMade Senior Advocacy and Consulting. With decades of experience as a pharmacist, plus credentials as a Board-Certified Patient Advocate and Certified Senior Advisor, Dr. Taylor brings deep insight into one of the most pressing challenges in senior health: polypharmacy. Together, they uncover how too many medications—or the wrong combinations—can impact quality of life, drive up costs, and create dangerous prescribing cascades. Dr. Taylor explains why advocacy is critical in today’s complex healthcare system, how personalized healthcare action plans work, and the ways adult children can get relief when caregiving becomes overwhelming. If you’ve ever worried about a loved one’s medications or struggled to navigate the system yourself, this episode offers practical strategies and hope. Links and Resources: Contact Dr. Nancy Taylor (877) 216-7450 nancy@drtadvocacy.com www.drtadvocacy.com Facebook - (20+) Facebook Links and Resources: (Jacqui Clark) Connect with a local Aging Parent Tribe FB Group for caregiver support near you: Aging Parent Tribe SoCal - San Diego : An Info and Support Group | Groups | Facebook- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/1300623337892805⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠This Is Living Well - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.thisislivingwell.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/getreadyforbetteraging⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Aging Well Magazine - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.thisislivingwell.com/magazine⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/GetReadyforBetterAging Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    54 mins
  • Small Homes, Big Impact: Caring for Seniors with Serious Needs
    Aug 6 2025
    In this eye-opening episode of Get Ready for Better Aging, host Jacqui Clark sits down with Vesna Ilich, owner and administrator of Monte Vista Manor, a six-bed residential care home in Vista, California. Together, they pull back the curtain on small but powerful care homes—also known as board and care homes—that offer hands-on, personalized support for seniors with high needs, including advanced dementia, mobility challenges, and end-of-life care. Vesna shares her 20+ years of experience, the realities of staffing, licensing, and cost pressures, and why these homes are often misunderstood despite being licensed at the same level as large communities. With rising costs and shrinking numbers of these homes, the conversation becomes a wake-up call for families on how to plan for long-term care. You’ll hear the heart, grit, and personal connection behind this overlooked model of care. Spoiler: It may just be theoption you never knew existed. Links and Resources: Connect with Vesna Illich (760) 685-2299 Links and Resources: (Jacqui Clark) Connect with a local Aging Parent Tribe FB Group for caregiver support near you: Aging Parent Tribe SoCal - San Diego : An Info and Support Group | Groups | Facebook- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/1300623337892805⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠This Is Living Well - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.thisislivingwell.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/getreadyforbetteraging⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Aging Well Magazine - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.thisislivingwell.com/magazine⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/GetReadyforBetterAging Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    43 mins
  • Retiring in Florida? What Every Family Needs to Know Before Choosing Assisted Living
    Jul 22 2025
    Florida may be the top retirement destination in the U.S., but what’s it really like to age there? In this informative and upbeat episode of "Get Ready for Better Aging," host Jacqui Clark is joined by Wendy Rickenbach-Barclay, CSA, a senior care expert and founder of Hometown Senior Care Solutions. Together, they break down the unique assisted living licensing system in Florida and explain why understanding these care levels is critical for families making long-term decisions. From on-site doctors and mobile services to Medicaid planning and concierge care, Wendy shares essential insights into Florida’s senior care landscape. You’ll also hear how Florida communities compare to California’s—and why working with a knowledgeable advisor can save you time, money, and stress. Whether you're supporting aging parents or planning ahead for yourself, this episode offers clarity, compassion, and practical tools to navigate the journey. Learn how assisted living can increase independence—and what to consider before making the move. Links and Resources: Connect with Wendy Rickenbach-Barclay at www.hometownseniorcaresolutions.net Links and Resources: (Jacqui Clark) Connect with a local Aging Parent Tribe FB Group for caregiver support near you: Aging Parent Tribe SoCal - San Diego : An Info and Support Group | Groups | Facebook- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/1300623337892805⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠This Is Living Well - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.thisislivingwell.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/getreadyforbetteraging⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Aging Well Magazine - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.thisislivingwell.com/magazine⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/GetReadyforBetterAging Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    48 mins
  • Second Retirement: How to Unlock VA Benefits Before It’s Too Late
    Jul 1 2025
    In this essential episode of Get Ready for Better Aging, host Jacqui Clark welcomes Sandy Messer, CEO of Long Term Assurance and one of only 200 VA-accredited civilian agents in the country. Sandy breaks down the ins and outs of VA Aid and Attendance benefits—and why timing is everything. Learn who qualifies (hint: it’s more people than you think), what documents you need, and how to plan ahead to cover long-term care costs with VA benefits, Medicaid, or both. From little-known spend-down strategies to protecting your assets across state lines, Sandy offers powerful insights for families, caregivers, and veterans alike. Discover how to make smart financial moves today to avoid panic tomorrow. Whether you're planning for a parent or yourself, this conversation is packed with actionable guidance—and compassion. Don't wait for a crisis to figure it out. Tune in and start planning your “second retirement” now. Links and Resources: Connect with Sandy Messer of Long Term Assurance at www.ltainfo.com (877) 286-0402 Sandy@ltainfo.com FAQ: Veterans Aid & Attendance | Long Term Assurance - https://ltainfo.com/faq Links and Resources: (Jacqui Clark) Connect with a local Aging Parent Tribe FB Group for caregiver support near you: Aging Parent Tribe SoCal - San Diego : An Info and Support Group | Groups | Facebook- ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/1300623337892805⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠This Is Living Well - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.thisislivingwell.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/getreadyforbetteraging⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Aging Well Magazine - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.thisislivingwell.com/magazine⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/GetReadyforBetterAging Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    47 mins
  • Driven to Care: Why Transportation is the Missing Link in Aging at Home
    Jun 10 2025
    In this eye-opening episode of Get Ready for Better Aging, host Jacqui Clark welcomes Christine Lee, a Certified Senior Advisor and the CEO of Casa Companion Home Care and Transport Solutions. Together, they unpack a critical—but often ignored—pillar of aging well: transportation. Christine shares her inspiring journey from founding a culturally rooted home care company to launching a transport service that empowers seniors, veterans, and adults with disabilities to stay mobile and independent. You’ll learn why lack of transportation is a major reason older adults enter assisted living before they’re ready—and how the right support can change everything. From hospital discharges to life events like weddings, Christine and Jacqui explore the emotional and logistical impact of getting where you need to go, with dignity. Whether you're aging in place or supporting someone who is, this episode delivers powerful insights to help you plan ahead—before a ride becomes a crisis. Links and Resources: Connect with Christine Lee and Casa Companion Home Care and Transportation - https://www.casacompanionhomecare.com Links and Resources: (Jacqui Clark) Connect with a local Aging Parent Tribe FB Group for caregiver support near you: Aging Parent Tribe SoCal - San Diego : An Info and Support Group | Groups | Facebook- ⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/1300623337892805⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠This Is Living Well - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.thisislivingwell.com⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Instagram - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/getreadyforbetteraging⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Aging Well Magazine - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.thisislivingwell.com/magazine⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Facebook - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/GetReadyforBetterAging Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    46 mins
  • Redefining Retirement: Joy, Purpose, & New Possibilities with Dr. Harry Agress, Jr.
    May 27 2025
    What if retirement isn’t the end, but the beginning of your most meaningful chapter? In this inspiring episode, Jacqui Clark welcomes Dr. Harry Agress, Jr.—physician, photographer, author, and reinvention enthusiast—to explore how retirement can be a launching pad for creativity, curiosity, and connection. Harry shares the deeply personal story behind his book Next Years, Best Years, and how simple lists of fears, loves, and curiosities led him to improv classes, children’s book illustration, and even background acting in TV shows. Together, they unpack his framework of Purpose, Passion, and Possibility and the “Four Freedoms” that make this life phase so unique. From turning hobbies into joy (not jobs) to embracing curiosity as a compass, this conversation offers a roadmap to vibrant, self-defined living after 60. Whether you're newly retired or just planning ahead, this episode is your reminder: you’re not winding down—you’re just getting started. Links and Resources: Connect with Dr. Harry Agress, Jr. His book Next Years, Best Years is available everywhere books are sold. See his website for his upcoming events - https://nextyearsbestyears.com Subscribe to get your FREE chapter, worksheets, and sample resource Links and Resources: (Jacqui Clark) Connect with a local Aging Parent Tribe FB Group for caregiver support near you: Aging Parent Tribe SoCal - San Diego : An Info and Support Group | Groups | Facebook- ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/1300623337892805⁠⁠ ⁠⁠This Is Living Well - ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.thisislivingwell.com⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Instagram - ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/getreadyforbetteraging⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Aging Well Magazine - ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.thisislivingwell.com/magazine⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Facebook - ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/GetReadyforBetterAging Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    43 mins
  • A Better Ending: How Death Doulas and Doctors Are Transforming End-of-Life Care
    May 6 2025
    What if death didn’t have to be lonely, confusing, or feared? In this powerful and deeply human episode, host Jacqui Clark welcomes Dr. Bob Uslander and death doula Lori Krause to explore a compassionate, team-based approach to dying well. Together, they reveal how the partnership between physicians and end-of-life doulas is revolutionizing care—offering emotional, spiritual, and practical support that the traditional healthcare system often misses. From navigating dementia to honoring a loved one’s final wishes, this conversation uncovers what’s possible when people are truly seen, heard, and supported. Whether you’re a caregiver, facing loss, or simply curious, this episode offers hope, tools, and vital insights into an experience we all will face. You’ll come away with a sense of peace—and maybe even inspiration to rethink how we live and die. This is one episode you can’t afford to miss. Links and Resources: (Connect with Dr. Bob Uslander and Lori Krause) https://empoweredendings.com https://www.facebook.com/empowerendings https://www.instagram.com/empowered_endings_ Links and Resources: (Jacqui Clark) Connect with a local Aging Parent Tribe FB Group for caregiver support near you: Aging Parent Tribe SoCal - San Diego : An Info and Support Group | Groups | Facebook- ⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/1300623337892805⁠ ⁠This Is Living Well - ⁠⁠https://www.thisislivingwell.com⁠ ⁠Instagram - ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/getreadyforbetteraging⁠ ⁠Aging Well Magazine - ⁠⁠https://www.thisislivingwell.com/magazine⁠ ⁠Facebook - ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/GetReadyforBetterAging Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    47 mins