In this reflective episode of Honestly Aging by Friends Life Care VigR®, we're joined by Patti Nesbitt, retired hospice and palliative care nurse, and Eileen Stanzione, PhD, clinical social worker and grief counselor, for a compassionate conversation about mortality, dying, grief, and what continues after death.

Through a Quaker lens grounded in listening, presence, and love, Patti and Eileen share personal experiences and professional insights from decades of accompanying individuals and families at the end of life. Together, they explore what it means to face mortality with honesty rather than fear, how spiritual beliefs and nature's cycles can bring comfort, and why talking openly about death can help us live more fully.

The conversation also delves into grief as a deeply personal process with no timetable, offering gentle guidance on how to support ourselves and others after a loved one dies. From meaningful rituals and legacy practices to ongoing connections that endure beyond physical death, this episode invites listeners to consider how love, memory, and relationship continue.

Listeners will also hear reflections on "befriending mortality," the role of hospice care, the importance of courageous conversations, and Quaker-style queries that encourage thoughtful self-exploration around aging, loss, and connection.

This episode offers a reassuring and human approach to life's most tender transitions, reminding us that while death is universal, no one has to face it alone.

Resources:

https://www.bym-rsf.org/

https://www.facebook.com/BYMQuakers/

https://quakerbooks.org/products/a-tender-time

Friends Life Care:

https://www.friendslifecare.org/

https://www.facebook.com/friendslifecare/

https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/friends-life-care-/

https://www.instagram.com/friendslifecare/

#HonestlyAging #FriendsLifeCare #VigR #Podcast #VibrantAging #FacingMortality #EndOfLifeCare #GriefSupport #LivingWithLoss #DeathAndDying #HospiceCare #Bereavement #QuakerValues

© 2026 Friends Life Care. All Rights Reserved.

In this episode of Honestly Aging, we're on-site at The Hickman, a warm and vibrant senior living community in West Chester, Pennsylvania. Together with three members of The Hickman's team, we explore the many senior living options available today and how to think through which choices may be the right fit as needs and priorities change over time.

Our conversation begins with an overview of The Hickman's on-site offerings, including Personal Care, Memory Care, and Respite Care. From there, we broaden the discussion to look at the full landscape of senior living and care options, including Independent Living, Assisted Living, Skilled Nursing Facilities, Adult Day Programs, and Continuing Care Retirement Communities (also known as Life Plan Communities).

We also discuss alternatives for those who wish to remain at home as they age, including continuing care at home models like Friends Life Care, which provide care coordination, wellness programs, home assessments, concierge services, and financial protection designed to support aging in place.

Beyond care models, this episode highlights what makes The Hickman truly special. The team shares how the community’s history and Quaker values shape daily life, guide compassionate care, and foster an inclusive, purpose-driven environment for residents of all backgrounds. We talk about supporting joy, connection, and meaning, navigating serious illness and advanced care needs, integrating hospice services, and helping families make thoughtful decisions as circumstances evolve.

We wrap up with guidance for listeners who want to learn more or explore The Hickman in person followed by a guided tour of the community.

Tour highlights include:

• Studio Apartment

• One-Bedroom apartment

• Dining

• Activity room

• Creative arts studio

• Darlington memory care garden

Whether you're beginning to think about senior living or actively planning next steps, this episode offers clarity, perspective, and reassurance that there are many paths to aging well.

Resources:

https://www.thehickman.org/

https://www.facebook.com/HickmanFriends/

https://www.instagram.com/hickmanfriendswc/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/thehickmanfriendswc/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/toni-kelly-lpn-pcha-cpasrm-624a80b0/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/maggie-abbonizio-pcha-mba-4613a052/

Friends Life Care:

https://www.friendslifecare.org/

https://www.facebook.com/friendslifecare/

https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/friends-life-care-/ https://www.instagram.com/friendslifecare/

#HonestlyAging #FriendsLifeCare #VigR #Podcast #VibrantAging #SeniorLiving #QuakerValues #TheHickman #IndependentLiving #AssistedLiving #SkilledNursing #AdultDay #CCRC #AgeinPlace

© 2026 Friends Life Care. All Rights Reserved.

Frontotemporal Degeneration (FTD) is a lesser-known form of dementia that often affects people in their 40s and 50s, bringing profound changes in behavior, personality, and language.

In this episode of Honestly Aging by Friends Life Care VigR®, we're joined by Esther Kane, Support & Education Director at The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration (AFTD), and Liz Zadnik, an AFTD Ambassador for Pennsylvania whose mother was diagnosed with FTD.

Together, they explore:

• What Frontotemporal Degeneration is and how it differs from other dementias

• Who is typically affected, and the early warning signs families may notice

• The emotional and practical challenges of receiving an FTD diagnosis

• Current treatment options and what families can do if they suspect symptoms

• How AFTD supports individuals, families, and care partners through education, resources, and connection

Liz also shares her family's personal journey with FTD and how her work as an ambassador helps ensure others feel less alone. Esther offers expert insight into navigating diagnosis, building a support team, and finding reliable resources.

This conversation is an honest, compassionate look at what it means when dementia comes early, and where hope, support, and understanding can be found.

Resources:

https://www.theaftd.org/

1-800-507-7222

info@theaftd.org

https://www.theaftd.org/find-support/

https://www.theaftd.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Persons-with-FTD-3.2025.pdf

https://ftdregistry.org/

https://www.pennftdcenter.org/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/esther-kane-msn-rn-cdp-2237577b/

https://www.theaftd.org/about-us/aftd-ambassadors/

https://www.facebook.com/TheAFTD/

https://www.threads.com/@theaftd

https://www.youtube.com/user/TheAFTDorg

https://x.com/AFTDHope

https://www.instagram.com/theaftd/

https://www.tiktok.com/@theaftd

https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-association-for-frontotemporal-degeneration/

Friends Life Care:

https://www.friendslifecare.org/

https://www.facebook.com/friendslifecare/

https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/friends-life-care-/

https://www.instagram.com/friendslifecare/

#HonestlyAging #FriendsLifeCare #VigR #Podcast #VibrantAging #FrontotemporalDegeneration #FTD #DementiaAwareness #EarlyOnsetDementia #CaregivingJourney #CarePartnerSupport #BrainHealth #AgingWithPurpose

© 2025 Friends Life Care. All Rights Reserved.