Episodes

  • Navigating Eldercare: Finding Your Path to Confident Care Decisions

    Navigating Eldercare: Finding Your Path to Confident Care Decisions
    Sep 28 2025

    Welcome to Navigating Eldercare, the definitive podcast for families and professionals seeking guidance and practical solutions for the elder care journey. Hosted by Laura Daniels, a registered nurse with 30 years of experience in geriatrics and founder of Care Advocates, this show tackles the real questions and challenges of care transitions.

    Each week, we bring you expert insights to help you make informed and confident decisions, whether you're dealing with a loved one's change in health, planning for future needs, or seeking to age in place safely. From understanding your options like assisted living and residential care homes to navigating complex emotional and logistical issues, we provide the advocacy, education, and support you need every step of the way.

    Join us to turn overwhelm into clarity and find the right care at the right time for the people who matter most.

    Chapters

    • 00:02 | Introduction to Navigating Eldercare

    • 00:20 | Meet Your Host, Laura Daniels

    • 01:53 | Today's Topic: The Desire to Age in Place

    • 02:13 | Introducing Guest Expert: Amy Roberts, a San Antonio-based Aging in Place Realtor

    • 03:06 | Amy's Personal Journey and Passion for Elder Care

    • 04:56 | The Value of Universal Design and the CAPS Certification

    • 06:23 | Defining "Aging in Place"

    • 07:39 | The Reality of Unprepared Homes and Involuntary Moves

    • 09:05 | How an Aging in Place Realtor Helps Older Adults

    • 10:41 | Handling Tough Conversations: When a Loved One Doesn't Want to Move

    • 11:15 | Case Study: The Overwhelmed Spouse and the Resistant Partner

    • 14:44 | The Importance of the CAPS (Certified Aging in Place Specialist) Certification

    • 16:13 | DIY Home Modifications for Safe Aging in Place

    • 18:36 | The Most Common Places for Falls

    • 19:00 | Staying Socially Connected and Maintaining Wellness at Home

    • 20:09 | Healthcare Resources to Support Aging in Place

    • 22:00 | Case Study: The Importance of Having an Advocate After a Move

    • 23:17 | A Message from Laura Daniels and Care Advocates

    • 24:36 | Contact Information for Laura Daniels and Amy Roberts

    • 25:26 | Closing Remarks

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
    Show More Show Less
    30 mins
  • The Medicare GUIDE Program: A New Era in Dementia Care

    The Medicare GUIDE Program: A New Era in Dementia Care
    Sep 21 2025
    Laura Daniels, a registered nurse and founder of Care Advocates, hosts this podcast to help families and professionals find the right solutions for seniors in transition. In this episode, she interviews Mona Talukdar, a highly respected leader in senior care, about the Medicare Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience (GUIDE) model. They discuss this groundbreaking program, which is changing how dementia is treated in the U.S. by providing comprehensive, wraparound support for both patients and their caregivers. Tune in to learn about eligibility, program benefits, and why this model is a crucial step forward in eldercare. Here are the podcast chapters with a timestamp and a brief summary of the topic. 00:00 - 00:19: Introduction Host Laura Daniels welcomes listeners and introduces the podcast's purpose: providing guidance and answers for every step of the eldercare journey. 00:20 - 01:11: Meet the Host, Laura Daniels Laura shares her background as a registered nurse specializing in geriatrics and the motivation behind creating Navigating Eldercare and her company, Care Advocates. 01:12 - 01:39: The Mission of Care Advocates Laura explains how her company, Care Advocates, works with families to create customized care plans and provides ongoing support, education, and advocacy. 01:40 - 02:05: Introduction of Guest, Mona Talukdar Laura introduces her guest, Mona Talukdar, a respected leader in senior care with over 12 years of experience in memory care, highlighting her work with the Alzheimer's Association and the Medicare GUIDE model. 02:06 - 02:31: Understanding the GUIDE Program Mona explains what the Medicare Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience (GUIDE) program is—a new, groundbreaking program that funds not only medical care but also navigation, education, and support for dementia patients and their caregivers. 02:32 - 03:23: The Groundbreaking Nature of GUIDE Mona discusses why the GUIDE program is so important, emphasizing that dementia is a "family disease" and that the program is the first of its kind to recognize and support the needs of caregivers with services like respite care. 03:24 - 04:20: What Makes GUIDE Different The discussion highlights how GUIDE differs from other Medicare benefits by bringing multiple support services under one umbrella, including 24/7 support, caregiver education, and paid respite care. 04:21 - 05:41: GUIDE Program Eligibility and Exclusions Mona clarifies who is eligible for the program (those with a formal dementia diagnosis and traditional Medicare) and who is not (Medicare Advantage members, and those in nursing homes or on hospice). 05:42 - 06:35: Finding a GUIDE Participant Mona advises listeners on how to find a local GUIDE participant through the Medicare or CMS website and provides her contact information for those in the San Antonio area. 06:36 - 08:31: The Benefits of GUIDE Mona details the key benefits of the program, including dementia-trained care navigators, 24/7 phone support for crises, individualized care plans, and home assessments. 08:32 - 10:21: The Role of a Care Navigator Mona explains the critical role of the care navigator as a personal assistant who coordinates care, arranges services like counseling and respite, and knows the patient's needs inside and out. 10:22 - 11:17: The Onboarding and Alignment Process Mona describes the process of "alignment," which involves a comprehensive assessment, gathering medical records, and getting approval from Medicare to begin receiving GUIDE services. 11:18 - 12:45: The Importance of Caregiver Training and Education Mona and Laura discuss the toll of caregiver burnout and why the education and training component of the GUIDE program are so vital to help caregivers understand dementia behaviors, manage stress, and prevent accelerated aging. 12:46 - 14:06: The Value of Respite Care Mona emphasizes the importance of respite services, which offer short-term relief for caregivers through in-home support, adult day programs, or overnight stays, all paid for by Medicare at no cost to the family. 14:07 - 15:03: Access and Availability Mona advises listeners outside of San Antonio how to find a GUIDE program near them by searching the Medicare website or calling 1-800-MEDICARE. 15:04 - 16:35: Support Groups and Classes Mona explains the types of support groups and educational classes offered, providing an example of how training can help caregivers recognize symptoms of a UTI in dementia patients. 16:36 - 18:27: Integration with Existing Medical Care Mona clarifies that the GUIDE program does not replace a patient's existing doctors but instead works as a collaborative part of the medical team, sharing updates and care plans with primary care physicians and specialists. 18:28 - 19:25: Caregiver Responsibilities Mona outlines the responsibilities of caregivers in the program, stressing the importance of active engagement, honest communication, and ...
    Show More Show Less
    26 mins
  • Navigating Eldercare: Creating a Caregiving Plan

    Navigating Eldercare: Creating a Caregiving Plan
    Sep 14 2025

    In this episode of "Navigating Eldercare," host Laura Daniels, a registered nurse and founder of Care Advocates, discusses the critical importance of creating a caregiving plan before a crisis occurs. She outlines the key components of a comprehensive plan, including starting difficult conversations with loved ones, assessing their current situation and finances, and exploring various care options like aging in place or assisted living. Laura also emphasizes the necessity of building a support team and, most importantly, prioritizing self-care for the caregiver to prevent burnout. This episode provides a vital framework and resources to help families and professionals make informed decisions and reduce the stress of the caregiving journey.

    Chapters

    • 00:02 - Welcome to Navigating Eldercare

    • 00:20 - Meet Your Host: Laura Daniels

    • 01:19 - About Care Advocates

    • 01:49 - Introducing Today's Topic: Creating a Caregiving Plan

    • 02:47 - The Importance of Proactive Planning

    • 03:15 - What is a Caregiving Plan?

    • 04:13 - Stress and the Need for a Plan

    • 05:12 - Topic 1: Starting the Conversation

    • 06:08 - Topic 2: Assessing the Current Situation

    • 07:01 - Topic 3: Reviewing Finances

    • 08:51 - Topic 4: Aging in Place

    • 10:15 - Topic 5: Considering Assisted Living & Other Care Options

    • 12:03 - Topic 6: Creating Your Care Team

    • 13:22 - Community Resources

    • 14:31 - Topic 7: The Caregiver and Self-Care

    • 16:54 - Long-Distance Caregiving

    • 17:53 - The Caregiving Plan Worksheet

    • 18:22 - Assessing Physical and Mental Health

    • 18:51 - Identifying Care Needs

    • 19:50 - Financial Management and Legal Matters

    • 21:13 - Home Safety and Lifestyle

    • 22:09 - Building a Professional Care Team

    • 23:03 - Final Self-Assessment Questions for Caregivers

    • 24:13 - Care Advocates' Services and Contact Information

    • 25:29 - Closing Remarks

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
    Show More Show Less
    26 mins
  • Navigating Eldercare: Signs Your Parent May Need Assisted Living (9-7-25)

    Navigating Eldercare: Signs Your Parent May Need Assisted Living (9-7-25)
    Sep 7 2025

    Is it time to consider a change in your parent's living situation? This episode of Navigating Eldercare is for anyone wrestling with this difficult question. Host Laura Daniels, a registered nurse and elder care advocate, walks you through the 10 most common signs that your loved one may need more support, whether at home or in an assisted living community.

    Laura explains how to spot key indicators you may be missing, from subtle changes in health and hygiene to increasing isolation and challenges with daily tasks. We also cover specific red flags for memory-related concerns, such as disorientation and wandering. The episode provides practical advice on how to start these sensitive conversations and offers solutions that promote safety, dignity, and a better quality of life for your loved one—and peace of mind for you.

    Join Laura Daniels, RN, on this episode of "Navigating Elder Care" as she provides essential insights into the elder care journey. Discover the various senior living options available, from 55-plus communities to memory care, and learn the importance of early planning for care transitions. Laura shares her expertise in geriatric care, offering practical solutions for families facing changes in health needs. Tune in for expert guidance that empowers you to make informed decisions about elder care for yourself or your loved ones.

    0:00 - 0:45 - Introduction: A guided approach to eldercare with Laura Daniels 0:45 - 2:13 - What is Navigating Eldercare? The host's background and mission 2:13 - 3:09 - Episode Preview: Signs a parent may need assisted living 3:09 - 4:09 - The difficult reality of aging and recognizing the big picture 4:09 - 5:07 - Why assisted living is a safe, supportive option 5:07 - 6:01 - Sign 1: Decline in health (falls, chronic conditions, missed appointments) 6:01 - 6:29 - Sign 2: Difficulties with daily living activities (grooming, cooking, cleaning) 6:29 - 7:06 - Sign 3: Cognitive changes (memory loss, confusion, financial issues) 7:06 - 7:54 - Sign 4: Social withdrawal and isolation 7:54 - 8:24 - Sign 5: Unsafe living conditions (clutter, poor lighting, expired food) 8:24 - 8:56 - Sign 6: Poor hygiene and weight loss 8:56 - 10:11 - Sign 7: Caregiver stress and burnout 10:11 - 11:15 - Sign 8: Care coordination challenges 11:15 - 12:05 - Sign 9: A doctor recommends assisted living 12:05 - 12:59 - Sign 10: Needs exceed what a family can provide 12:59 - 15:25 - Red Flags for Memory Care 15:25 - 16:50 - What to do next: Taking the first steps 16:50 - 18:24 - Why you shouldn't wait for a crisis to plan 18:24 - 20:01 - 4 ways to start a conversation about care with your loved one 20:01 - 21:16 - The benefits of assisted living: safety, dignity, and quality of life 21:16 - 22:15 - Planning ahead for a caregiving journey 22:15 - 23:44 - What is a caregiving plan and why you need one 23:44 - 24:02 - Next episode preview 24:02 - 25:28 - Final thoughts and contact information

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
    Show More Show Less
    26 mins
  • Navigating Elder Care with Laura Daniels, RN (8-31-25)

    Navigating Elder Care with Laura Daniels, RN (8-31-25)
    Aug 31 2025

    Join Laura Daniels, RN, on this episode of "Navigating Elder Care" as she provides essential insights into the elder care journey. Discover the various senior living options available, from 55-plus communities to memory care, and learn the importance of early planning for care transitions. Laura shares her expertise in geriatric care, offering practical solutions for families facing changes in health needs. Tune in for expert guidance that empowers you to make informed decisions about elder care for yourself or your loved ones.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
    Show More Show Less
    26 mins
  • Navigating Elder Care with Laura Daniels, RN (8-17-25)

    Navigating Elder Care with Laura Daniels, RN (8-17-25)
    Aug 15 2025

    In this episode of "Navigating Elder Care" Laura Daniels, RN provides essential insights for families and professionals navigating the complexities of elder care. With over 30 years of experience, Laura discusses various care options, including in-home care, assisted living, and memory care. Join us for expert advice on care transitions, Medicare resources, and emotional readiness, all aimed at helping you make informed decisions for your loved ones. Don't miss real-life success stories and practical solutions to enhance the elder care journey.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
    Show More Show Less
    26 mins