Navigating Senior Care with Stella - Episode 11

NAVIGATING MEDICARE & MEDICAID FOR SENIOR CAREConfused about Medicare and Medicaid? You're not alone - and this confusion costs Austin families thousands of dollars every year.In this episode, I break down the difference between these two programs in plain English - no jargon, no government-speak. Just what you actually need to know when caring for a loved one in the Austin metro area.WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:- The critical difference between Medicare and Medicaid- Why Medicare does NOT cover long-term assisted living or memory care- What Texas Medicaid actually covers in Austin (and what it doesn't)- The 5-year lookback period that catches families off guard- Real costs of senior care in the Austin area- How to qualify for Texas Medicaid- Costly mistakes I see Austin families make every week- Action steps you can take TODAY- Local Austin resources that can helpEPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:I share a heartbreaking story about a Round Rock family who thought Medicare would cover 100 days of care - and what actually happened. Plus, my own experience navigating Medicare coverage for my mom's dementia care right here in Austin.Whether you're planning ahead or facing an immediate need, this episode could save your family tens of thousands of dollars.

CONNECT WITH STELLA:📞 Call or Text: 737-389-2130📧 Email: stella@stellawilliamstx.com🌐 Website: stellawilliamstx.com🏡 Search Facilities: tourseniorliving.org

Serving the Greater Austin Metro Area including Round Rock, Cedar Park, Georgetown, Pflugerville, Kyle, Buda, and San Marcos.

Most Austin families have NO idea residential care homes exist - small, family-style environments offering exceptional care at lower costs than traditional facilities. In this episode, Stella Williams breaks down everything you need to know about these hidden gems: what they are, who thrives in them, real costs in Austin (spoiler: you could save $12K-36K per year!), red flags to watch for, and how to find quality homes.

You'll hear real stories of Austin families who found the PERFECT fit in residential care homes, plus insider tips on Veterans Aid & Attendance benefits that could provide up to $2,229/month toward care costs.

✅ Better staff-to-resident ratios (1:4-6 vs 1:15-20)✅ $1,000-$3,000 LESS per month than traditional facilities✅ More personalized, attentive care✅ Home-like environment (not institutional!)

In this episode, I'm breaking down:🔹 What residential care homes actually ARE🔹 Who thrives in them (and who doesn't)🔹 Real costs in Austin for 2025🔹 Red flags to watch for🔹 How to find quality homes🔹 Veterans benefits that could cover UP TO $2,229/month!

Whether you're exploring options for a loved one or just want to know what's available, this episode will open your eyes to a senior care option most people never hear about!

Hosted by: Stella Williams, Senior Placement Advocate
Contact: 737-389-2130 | stella@stellawilliamstx.com
Resources: tourseniorliving.org | stellawilliamstx.com

What happens when you're caring for a parent with dementia at home while raising a teenager? In this deeply personal episode, Senior Advocate Stella Williams shares her raw, honest journey of being caught in the sandwich generation.

When Stella's mom was battling cancer and declining with dementia, 14-year-old Jaden watched his childhood shift as their home transformed into a care facility. This isn't a story about facility placement - it's about the reality of at-home care while parenting, the guilt cycle that nearly broke her, and the lessons learned from living in both worlds simultaneously.

In This Episode:

• What the sandwich generation really means (beyond the definition)
• The three types of pressure: time, financial, and emotional
• How at-home caregiving changes family dynamics
• The turning point that made Stella rethink everything
• Daily strategies that actually work (not just theory)
• A powerful message to kids growing up in caregiver households

Key Takeaways:✓ You can honor both generations without losing yourself✓ Quality presence beats quantity presence every time✓ Teaching kids about family responsibility is a gift, not a burden

Whether you're currently sandwiched between generations, planning ahead, or supporting someone who is, this episode gives permission to feel it all while providing practical strategies to survive and thrive.

Resources Mentioned:Williams Senior Transition ServicesWebsite: tourseniorliving.orgPhone: 737-389-2130Email: stella@stellawilliamstx.com

Connect with Stella:Austin-based Senior Advocate helping families navigate care transitions with compassion and expertise.

#sandwhichGeneration, #athomecare, #caregiving, #agingparents, #guiltandcaregiving, #caregiverburnoutprevention, #wstservices, #tourseniorliving, #tslaustin, #caringforagingparentswhileraisingkids

Episode 8 of our Austin Senior Living Series!

EPISODE 8: Memory Care Explained - When Assisted Living Isn’t Enough

Today we’re breaking down memory care - what it is, how it’s different from assisted living, and when your loved one needs this level of specialized dementia care.

In this episode, I cover:

• What memory care actually provides (and how it’s different from assisted living)

• 8 signs it’s time for memory care instead of home care or assisted living

• Real examples from families I work with - including my own mom’s symptoms

• What to look for when touring memory care communities in Austin

• Staff ratios, security features, and behavioral management approaches

• The emotional side of this decision

• Cost ranges in Austin ($5,000-$8,000/month)

• Red flags to watch out for

•How to know if you’re ready to make this move

Raw, honest, and practical - for families navigating one of caregiving’s hardest decisions.

Key Topics: - Memory care definition and features - Secured environments for wandering - Specialized dementia staff training - Signs it’s time for memory care - Safety issues (stove incidents, nighttime wandering) - Sundowning and paranoia - What to look for on tours - Emotional aspects of placement

Resources: - TSL Tour Senior Living: tourseniorliving.org
- Stella’s Direct Line: 737-389-2130

Williams Senior Transition Services

stellawilliamstx.com

Link to Austin Memory Care Community Guide

Checklist for Signs its time for memory care

#memorycare #dementia #alzheimers #Austinmemorycare #tourseniorliving #tslaustin #wstservices #navigatingseniorcarewithstella

In this deeply personal episode, Stella reveals her origin story - the night she broke her mother out of a rehab facility in less than 5 hours and why that traumatic experience led her to become a senior placement advocate. She shares the reality of three years of home dementia care, including aggression, paranoia, and her recent stroke symptoms, while exploring why she's uniquely qualified to help families with BOTH home care and facility placement decisions. Raw, honest, and judgment-free - for caregivers facing impossible decisions.

Keywords: dementia care, home care vs facility, caregiver guilt, family decisions, memory care, elderly parents, placement advocate origin story

Episode 5 of our Austin Senior Living Series! Today we're breaking down Assisted Living - what it provides, who it's for, and how to know when it's time.

In this episode, I cover:

• What Assisted Living actually provides (and what it doesn't)

• Who needs Assisted Living vs Independent Living

• Personal care services and medication management

• Real stories from Austin families I've worked with

• Honest pros and cons you need to consider

• Cost ranges in Austin ($3,500-$7,000/month)

• What to look for when touring Assisted Living communities

• How to know when it's time to consider this option

• The emotional side of this transition

AUSTIN ASSISTED LIVING COMMUNITIES MENTIONED:

• Silverleaf Eldercare

• Belmont Village

• The Enclave communities

• Brookdale locations

• Tech Ridge Oaks

• The Springs of Austin

• And many more throughout Austin metro

This episode is for families who know their loved one isn't safe at home anymore but needs help understanding what Assisted Living provides and how to choose the right community.

Cost Range in Austin: $3,500 - $7,000/month (varies by location, apartment size, and level of care needed)

IMPORTANT: Assisted Living is NOT covered by Medicare. Some may use long-term care insurance or VA benefits.

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NEXT EPISODE: "The Day We Broke Mom Out of Rehab" - A personal story about trusting your instincts and the reality of facility care

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RESOURCES:

📚 My Book: "The Complete Step-by-Step Guide to Your Senior Housing Solutions"

Chapter on Assisted Living with detailed touring checklists

📝 Workbook Available

Assessment tools and community comparison worksheets

🏠 Tour Senior Living - Austin Area

Browse Austin Assisted Living options: tourseniorliving.org/area/austin

💼 Work With Me

Free consultation for Austin families: stella@wstservices.com

Website: williamsseniortransitionservices.com

🔍 Check Texas Licensing

Look up inspection reports for any licensed Assisted Living community in Texas

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ABOUT THE HOST:

Stella Herrera Williams is a Senior Placement Advocate in Austin, author, and daughter navigating complex care needs with her own mom. She helps Austin families find the right senior living solutions with both professional expertise and personal understanding.

#AssistedLiving #AustinSeniorLiving #SeniorCare #ElderCare #AustinTexas #SeniorHousing #NavigatingSeniorCare #CaregiverSupport

#Austin, #personal care, #medicationmanagement, #seniorliving, #agingparents, #caregiversupport, #nursinghomealternative #TSL #tourseniorliving #tourseniorlivingaustin

Starting our Austin Senior Living Series! In this episode, we're breaking down Independent Living - what it actually means, who it's designed for, and what you can expect in Austin communities.

I'm covering:

• What Independent Living really is (and isn't)

• Who is the ideal candidate for Independent Living

• What's included in most Austin communities

• Real examples from families I've worked with

• Pros and cons you need to consider

• Cost ranges in the Austin area

• What to look for when touring communities

• Why moving proactively is often better than waiting

AUSTIN INDEPENDENT LIVING COMMUNITIES MENTIONED:

• Belmont Village (West Lake Hills & Lakeway)

• The Enclave (Cedar Park & Round Rock)

• Westminster (Central Austin)

• And many more throughout Austin metro area

Whether you're exploring options for yourself or a parent, this episode will help you understand if Independent Living is the right fit - and what to look for in Austin communities.

Cost Range in Austin: $2,500 - $5,000/month (varies by location, apartment size, and amenities)

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NEXT EPISODE: Assisted Living Explained - when you need more support than Independent Living provides.

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RESOURCES:

📚 My Book: "The Complete Step-by-Step Guide to Your Senior Housing Solutions"

Includes detailed checklists for evaluating Independent Living communities

📝 Workbook Available

Worksheets to assess fit and compare communities

🏠 Tour Senior Living - Austin Area

Browse Austin Independent Living options: tourseniorliving.org/area/austin

💼 Work With Me

Senior placement services in Austin: stellawilliamstx.com

Email: stella@stellawilliamstx.com

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ABOUT THE HOST:

Stella Herrera Williams is a Senior Placement Advocate in Austin, author, and daughter navigating dementia care with her own mom. She helps Austin families find the right senior living solutions with both professional expertise and personal understanding.

#IndependentLiving #AustinSeniorLiving #SeniorCare #RetirementLiving #AustinTexas #SeniorHousing #NavigatingSeniorCare

In this vulnerable episode, I share my personal health crisis while caring for my mom with dementia - and the wake-up call that taught me sustainable caregiving starts with self-care.According to the Family Caregiver Alliance, over 40% of family caregivers report feeling emotionally strained, and 1 in 3 say their health has gotten worse since caregiving began. If you're running on fumes, waiting for "the right time" to ask for help, or feeling guilty about needing support - this episode is for you.

I discuss:- My health crisis and what led to it- Why caregivers wait until crisis to ask for help- The difference between sustainable care and perfect care- Austin resources for caregiver support and respite care- Permission to prioritize your own health

AUSTIN RESOURCES MENTIONED:🧠 Area Agency on Aging of the Capital Area- Caregiver support and respite care information- Website: aaacap.org

💜 Family Eldercare- Various support services for Austin caregivers- Phone: (512) 450-0844

🏠 Tour Senior Living - Austin Area- Respite care options at local communities- Website: tourseniorliving.org/area/austin

📚 Alzheimer's Association Greater Austin Chapter- Caregiver support groups (not just for dementia!)- 24/7 Helpline: 1-800-272-3900

Remember: Taking care of yourself isn't selfish - it's essential. Your loved one needs the best version of you, not the burnt-out version.---ABOUT THE HOST:Stella Herrera Williams is a Senior Placement Advocate in Austin, author of "The Complete Step-by-Step Guide to Your Senior Housing Solutions," and a daughter navigating dementia care with her own mom.

📧 Connect: stella@stellawilliamstx.com🌐 Learn more: stellawilliamstx.com📚 Get the book: click here for your FREE Book!New episodes helping Austin families navigate senior care with confidence!