Ep. 699 | Stay Ready, Live Empowered

Scams are evolving—and so must we. This week on The Senior Zone, Shawn Perry breaks down housing scams targeting older adults with Legal Counsel for the Elderly’s Derrick Dyer, then shifts to a powerful conversation on dignity and end-of-life choice with Compassion & Choices CEO Kevin Díaz. Plus, your Weekly Vitamin,  and more.

Thank you for listening and until we meet again…keep your head high, your heart full, and always — be someone who makes someone else look forward to their tomorrow.
 

Transcript

Opening + Weekly Vitamin

Speaker 7 0:01

Welcome to The Senior Zone, where we connect older adults with the organizations and resources that serve them.

Speaker 2 0:08

The Senior Zone's goal is to educate, empower, enlighten, entertain, and engage older adults with the tools of information to stay healthy, happy, and secure.

Speaker 0:19

Great guests.

Speaker 2 0:24

Get ready to take notes.

Speaker 0:27

It's now time for the senior zone.

Speaker 8 0:31

Alright now. Good morning, good morning, my good people, and welcome to another edition of The Senior Zone. I am your host, Shawn Perry, and wherever you're tuned in from this morning, I am certainly glad that you are here. This is the space where experience matters, wisdom is honored, and aging isn't something we fear, it's something we step into with purpose. Now, family, as we get ready to close out the month of March and step into a new month, let me offer you something to sit with. Not everything moving fast deserves your immediate response. We're living in a time where things are changing quickly, information is constant, messages are nonstop, and pressure is everywhere to react in the moment. But here's the truth moving fast isn't the same as moving wisely. And in this season of life, wisdom, not speed, is your greatest advantage. So, with that being said, let me give you your weekly vitamin, something to carry you into the days ahead. Real life, real talk. The other day I was standing in line at the grocery store. Folks were scrolling, tapping, checking out, barely looking up. And I caught myself about to rush too, and for no real reason. So real talk. Life will try to pull you into urgency, even when urgency isn't required. But real truth, y'all, you don't have to react just because something shows up. You can pause, you can take a breath, you can ask, does this deserve my attention right now? Because your power in this season isn't in reacting quickly, it's in responding intentionally. And that right there, that's how you stay ready. Now, listen folks, if you've ever missed a conversation here The Senior Zone, don't worry, we've got you covered, we've got your back. You can now catch the show on demand as a podcast anytime, anywhere on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Amazon, and many, many more options. Just search The Senior Zone with Shawn Perry and stay connected. Alright, family, let's get into today's show. Scams are getting more sophisticated, more targeted, and more personal. And in many cases, they're going after something you've worked your entire life for: your home. But here's the good news you don't have to navigate this alone. Joining me this morning will be Derrick Dyer, attorney with Legal Counsel for the Elderly. He's here to help us break down what these housing scams look like and how you can protect yourself before it becomes a problem. And then in segment two, we turn our attention, we turn to a conversation that's deeply personal but incredibly important. If you've been riding with us, you know we've had meaningful conversations around end-of-life care, dignity, as well as personal choice. But today we introduce new leadership in that space. Joining us is Kevin Diaz, the new president and CEO of Compassion and Choices, a nationally respected civil rights attorney helping lead the charge in expanding care and choice across the country. We'll talk about what this next chapter looks like and what it means for you as well as your family. And of course, before we close things out today, we'll wrap things up with birthdays of the week, as we faithfully do. We'll transition into Dear Grave Woman with Joel Simone, and we'll bring it all home with the Later Life Lowdown, keeping you informed with news, resources, and opportunities across DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia. And before we take this quick break, y'all, I want to send some love and gratitude to our sponsors and partners. Thank you, Legal Counsel for the Elderly, AARP of the District of Columbia, AARP of the State of Maryland, Compassion and Choices, Jewish Council for the Aging, and the DC Department of Aging and Community Living. Folks, we'll be right back after this short break, brought to you by Legal Counsel for the Elderly, providing free legal and social work services to DC residents most in need. Don't change that down. Shawn Perry in The Senior Zone. I promise we'll be right back.

Speaker 4:55

Legal Counsel for the Elderly champions the dignity and rights of DC elders by providing free legal and social work services to those in need. Worried about eviction or foreclosure? Need help obtaining Social Security or Veterans Benefits? Call Legal Counsel for the Elderly at 202-434-2120. Income eligibility applies. LCE is an affiliate of AARP 202-434-2120.

Speaker 10 5:26

Attention, listeners, criminals are consistently developing new ways to steal your hard-earned money and personal information. But the AARP Fraud Watch Network is here to help you protect yourself and your loved ones. See or report scams in your area with our scam tracking map. Get guidance from our trained fraud specialists and sign up to receive information on the latest scams. Knowledge is power. If you can spot a scam, you can stop a scam. Get more tips and resources at AARP.org slash fraudwatch network.

Speaker 8 5:59

Welcome back. This is The Senior Zone, and I'm your host, Shawn Perry. All right, family, let's lean in on this one because this hits home, literally. New scams are popping up every single day. And let's be honest, it's getting harder and harder to tell what's real and what's not. And unfortunately, some of the most aggressive scams today are targeting something many of us have worked our entire lives for: our homes. But the good news, we've got trusted partners who help keep us informed and protected. Joining me now this morning is Derrek Dyer, attorney with Legal Counsel for the Elderly. And today we're breaking down housing scams that are specifically targeting older homeowners and more importantly, how you can avoid becoming a victim. Derrek, welcome to The Senior Zone. Thank you, Shawn. It's a pleasure to have you here. Now, Derrick, before we get into the scams themselves, let's talk with folks about your background so they can get to know you a little bit better. This is your first time on The Senior Zone. So share with our listeners about your practice area and the work you do at LCE. And again, thanks, Shawn.

Speaker 5 7:11

So our practice is called the Consumer Advocacy and Home Ownership Preservation Practice. What we do is that we take uh we do what it takes to help help keep older adults in their homes and preserve generational wealth. What this looks like primarily uh for us is foreclosure work. Uh we represent seniors in DC facing mortgage foreclosure, uh, property tax foreclosure, condo foreclosure, and we also assist homeowners with other property-related issues. Uh we also help uh with consumer protection primarily through education, um, like appearing on this show today. Uh there are a lot of scams out there that are targeting our clients that we want folks to know about.

Speaker 8 7:57

Yeah. So that's important work that you do, no doubt. So let's jump right into it because this is something a lot of folks may have already encountered without even realizing it. We're focusing today, folks, on scams targeting homeowners. One of the most common ones is what's called a fake rescue, as I understand it, or loan help scam. Can you break that down for us so we can better understand it? Sure.

Speaker 5 8:23

So in this type of scam, um, an individual or a company, um, they claim that they can save your home or get you a better mortgage deal all for a fee. Uh, one of the biggest red flags here is when they tell you to stop paying your mortgage lender. Uh they often say things like, uh, if you keep paying the bank, they won't work with us, or uh, you need to miss a payment to qualify for help. Uh sometimes they they tell homeowners to send the money to them directly instead of their mortgage uh company, or to put into a special uh account that only they can control while they negotiate with the lender. Um while the homeowner thinks that help is happening, nothing is actually being done. Um mortgage payments aren't being made, uh, late fees are piling up, and the homeowner falls deeper behind. By the time the homeowner realizes it's a scam, a foreclosure may be much closer or already underway. Uh keep in mind that legitimate housing counselors and government-approved programs never tell you to stop paying your mortgage, and they never ask you to s to send payments to someone other than your actual lender. Uh if anyone instructs you to do that, it's a strong sign that it's a scam, and you should stop and get and get trusted advice right away. Um and then DC, that advice usually comes from the housing from housing counseling services. And let me give you their number really quick, Shawn. It's their number is area code 202-667-7706. Again, the number for housing counseling services is area code 202-667-7706.

Speaker 8 10:13

Great work, and I appreciate you sharing that info. We'll share it, you know, again. We often hear that being asked to make payments to someone other than a mortgage lender is a red flag, and you just alluded uh to that. But what about when someone claims that they can get you a better mortgage deal, right? And you referenced that as well. What should people be watching out for specifically?

Speaker 5 10:34

Well, you know, Shawn, I'd like to say that if it sounds too good to be true, it likely is too good to be true. Uh if you're struggling to keep your mortgage and someone offers, you know, offers to help you out of the blue, they're likely targeting you. Uh scammers research tax sales and foreclosures and and can look into who may be at risk. You know, this information is all public. You just go to the DC court's website and they can see, you know, who's in trouble. Um they might say you know, they might say that you're eligible to apply for funds to help pay down the debt. Uh for example, uh, we recently had some of our clients receive a letter from an organization offering property tax assistance. Um the letter said uh they could apply for free funds, uh free funds to pay off the debt. Um but again, keep in mind there is no program like that in the District of Columbia. And any offer of free funds is not real and isn't it's an attempt to trick you. Uh so I don't know if you remember this, Shawn, but there used to be a program in DC called the Homeowners Assistance Fund. Um and it using that program, folks who were behind on their mortgage could apply for you know, apply for for assistance. And I think you could get up to a hundred thousand dollars to to help pay for past due property charges like your mortgage payments or taxes um or your condo dues. Um but to be clear, that program is ended and there is no similar program in DC. So if someone's offering you free money, it's a scam.

Speaker 8 12:18

Yeah, that's always the uh the red flag. Even when it sounds like help, it can actually be harm. It sounds too good to be true, folks. It is too good to be true. Now, this next one, Derrick, is especially dangerous because it involves ownership. Describe for us what's known as the sign your home over scam. I can't imagine that one. How does that work and how do people get caught up in it?

Speaker 5 12:42

And this one is particularly dangerous. Uh so in a sign your home scam, um, again, it sounds just like what it says, uh, where the scammer then the scammer uh approaches you and um essentially what they what you do is they do you sign over the deed to your home. Um what they say is you know, they again they see that you're facing problems, financial problems, and they they say, Hey, we have a special expertise, um, insider connections, or a temporary solution to help stop foreclosure. But uh, you know, to to to gain this the the the homeowner's trust, what they say is you know, the scammer explains that uh the homeowner needs to temporarily sign the deed over to the home it's either to them or to some other company so that they can somehow negotiate with the lender or restructure the loan. Um unfortunately, once the deed that once the deed is signed, the scanner the scammer becomes a legal owner of the home. Um and once you sign, you know, you could be asked to pay rent on your own home or even be evicted because listen, you signed over ownership to the home. So there is a uh serious risk with with this particular scam.

Speaker 8 14:07

Yeah, and as you said, and once it happens, it's very difficult to uh undo. Sometimes the best way to understand the impact of this, uh, Derrick, is through real life examples, which I know uh you have. Can you share a case or a situation where an older adult was taken in by one of these scams?

Speaker 5 14:25

Uh you know, in particular, I'm gonna say with um with the the the sign your the the sign your your your your deed over, sadly um we've actually had and you know situations where uh it's been their own family members that have done this. Where family members know that, hey, you know, grandma, grandpa, great aunt, great, you know, uncle, whomever, um is behind on on their on their uh their mortgage payments. And we've had situations where uh you know this person says, Hey, I can help you, you know, fix your whatever issues that you have. And you know, we have you know, the the the person then signs over their interest in their property, and then next thing you know, this family member now owns the house and they are now evicting our you know clients out of the property. And unfortunately, as you just pointed out, these things are so hard to undo that unfortunately oftentimes they end up leaving losing their homes.

Speaker 8 15:31

Yeah, and that's why these conversations really, really do matter because this is happening in real time, as as you already know. Now we've seen you know those signs, Derrick, you know, we buy houses fast, right? Or cash offer today. They're you know pretty much you know everywhere. Let's talk about these quick sales or deed transfer schemes uh a little deeper. How do scammers typically approach homeowners? I'm I'm I'm learning right now from you. Are they knocking on doors? Are they sending this stuff in the mail or are they reaching out online? How do they approach?

Speaker 5 16:05

So, yeah, and this these the the the quick sales scam, that that is something special. And so usually uh scammers here, what they're doing is they're targeting homeowners, again, who are behind on payments or dealing with financial stress. Um they approach um people in a lot of ways. Um may have sent they they may send official looking letters uh or flyers in the mail. Sometimes they knock on the door, and I think that's happened to many of our clients where people have actually knocked on the door. Uh, and this is another one that happens with our clients is that they leave notes uh on the house or they place online ads or they reach out by phone or by text. Uh the message is usually urgent and sounds helpful, you know, something like we can buy your home in days or no foreclosure, no hassle. Um they often promise uh a quick closing. Uh they they say they'll take care of all the paperwork or claim you don't need a lawyer. Um in some ways they ask for upfront fees. Um, you know, they request uh wiring instructions uh or push the homeowner to sign documents quickly without explaining them. Uh those documents may actually transfer ownership of the home. Um sometimes without the homeowners even realizing it until it's too late. Uh in the end, uh the homeowner may get far less uh for the home than what it's actually worth. Or sometimes no money at all. Um, you know, sometimes they can lose their mo their their home entirely, sometimes even facing eviction. Um one of these, you know, once you sign these agreements, you know, it's it's important to know that they're very difficult to terminate. Um in fact, we've had instances where the only way we can get a senior free from this type of agreement um is by seeking bankruptcy protection. Um and and Shawn, and let me just uh just add one more section, one more section here. Um I know we've been talking about foreclosure scams, but um at LCE we also want the audience to be aware um of a predatory mortgage product that we're seeing more and more of. And these product these products go by many names. Uh sometimes they're called home and home equity investment contracts, sometimes they're called home equity sharing agreements. Um there are sometimes they're called shared appreciation agreements or home equity agreements, home equity partnerships, equity sharing contracts. And we're seeing more and more of these. And LCE, together with ARP, is attempting to challenge these products as they attempt to circumvent or get around uh the mortgage regulations that both the federal government has in place as well as DC government. And what these lenders are offering is that they're saying that you know the the these lenders are saying they're not loans. We're calling them loans, but the lenders are saying that they're not, these people are saying they're not loans. Um to to to to give you some background, what these are, what these things are, is it's it's an agreement where a homeowner gets money from an investor in exchange for sharing some of the home's future value. Um so instead of making monthly payments like with a loan, the homeowner usually pays the investor back when they sell the home or refinance or reach the end of this contract. Uh the amount paid back. Now, this is the the this is the the kicker here. The amount paid back depends on how much of the home's value goes up or down. If the home becomes worth more, the investor gets a larger share. If it loses, the investor gets much less. Uh you know, this type of contract lets the homeowners get cash without taking on traditional debt, but it can be extremely costly uh if the home's value r rises a lot. Um the lenders offering these products uh they target homeowners uh you know where property values typically are going up, like in DC. So they have a guarantee on their investment. Um but we also want listeners to be to be clear here that these agreements are not reverse mortgages. Uh because we see a lot of these uh people saying, hey, these things are reverse mortgages, and they are not reverse mortgages.

Speaker 8 20:32

What are some general warning signs? No matter the situation, that should immediately make someone pause and say, something ain't right.

Speaker 5 20:40

Well, in this situation, um, you know, we're looking at a you know, if you if you're if you're if you're if you're being asked to to sign you know a 10 to 30 page contract with no disclosures as as to how much you have to pay back, that's a problem. You know, that's when you say, listen, this is a problem. If you're being asked to sign multiple contracts, usually in the home equity situation, you're being asked to sign very complicated contracts, multiple contracts, um with very little time to actually review the agreements. So though that's really what we should be looking for when when someone approaches you with one of these, and if you're they're you're they're asking you to sign this, they're rushing you to sign it, and you ultimately don't know how much do I have to pay back. That's a problem. Don't sign it. Don't sign.

Speaker 8 21:33

So how can people sign it? Yeah, how can people then, Derrick, tell the difference between what's real and what's fake? Well, you know, and that and that's a very good question.

Speaker 5 21:43

You know, a reverse mortgage is usually is usually going to come from a broker, and usually they're not gonna reach out to you, you're gonna reach out to them. With a home equity contract, they're gonna be reaching out to you. Um, first of all. Um secondly Again, look at these documents. If you don't see things like interest rates, well, hey, this is how much I have to pay back over a certain number of time, if they're giving you a huge packet of documents, meaning that if you're getting a document package that's you know close to 100 and some odd pages, because that's usually what these things are involved, or what's involved with these things, that's a red flag. And that's that's the moment to walk away.

Speaker 8 22:26

Yeah. If you didn't solicit, you know, initiate the uh the encounter, folks, that's another red flag I would say uh as well, uh Derrick. Derrick, what's one, you know, um uh or two takeaways you want people to remember from our conversation of today? One I would say, Derrick, if you don't mind me throwing this in, you can't trust the logo anymore, folks, right? You know, what's what's coming in? You got to verify uh the source. That's just my two cents there. But uh what do you say to that?

Speaker 5 22:51

Yeah, exactly. So some of the other things to take away uh would be if someone promises quick fixes or guaranteed results, it's likely a scam. Um secondly, trust your instincts. Uh if something feels off, ask questions, seek help. Um remember that free, legitimate assistance is available. Never, and then I'm gonna I can't stress this enough, never pay someone who claims uh that only they can help save your home. You know, there's always more than one person. It's not never just one person. Um also say no to anyone asking for upfront payment for mortgage help. Say no to people promising that they can guarantee a loan modification or stop foreclosure. Again, that's just not possible. Um don't give into pressure to sign documents right away or without explanation. Um don't agree to send uh to request to send money through wire transfers, uh payment apps, or prepay cards, or give it, give, or if they give you instructions to stop paying your real mortgage, you know, remember that. That's that's gonna be a problem.

Speaker 8 24:01

Yeah.

Speaker 5 24:01

And then always guard your personal information to prevent identity theft. Uh don't show your documents, um, you know, your social security number, Medicare, Medicaid numbers to anyone that you don't know.

Speaker 8 24:14

Yeah. Great, great advice, Derrick. Uh Derrick, with the time that we have left, which is not much, uh, for those that think they may have been targeted or have questions, how can they reach out to LCE?

Speaker 5 24:25

Sure. So again, if you're a DC resident, 60 years or older, uh, with a legal issue such as foreclosure, eviction, public benefits or more, just give legal counsel for the elderly um their our hotline number a call. And that number is 202-434-2120. Again, that's 202-434-2120.

Speaker 8 24:49

Yep, absolutely. Folks, that is what we call real talk, real protection. Your home is more than just property. It's your security, it's your legacy, it's your peace of mind. And as we've heard today, there are people out there trying to take advantage of just that. But with the right information, you can stay one step ahead. Derrick Diner from LCE, thank you, my friend, for joining us. Uh, thank you, Shawn. And again, it's great to be here. And I appreciate you once more. Folks, as we always say, if it feels off, slow down. Ask questions and don't do it alone. You're listening to the seniors on the DMV's number one weekly radio program. This next break is brought to you by compassion and choices, empowering everyone to try their own end of life journey. We'll be right back. And life choices matter.

Speaker 6 25:36

Compassionate choices is here to support you on your journey. Our organization provides a wealth of resources to help you navigate difficult decisions with compassion and understanding. Because on end of life choices, visit our website at compassionatechoices.org for range of informative articles, token personal stories. Compassionate team is just a couple of ready to assist you. Because, let's face it, talking about death is not gonna kill you. Compassionate choices, empowering you to make choices that reflect your values.

Speaker 7 26:09

Hiber, I'm inviting you and your wife to my husband's 65th birthday party next week.

Speaker 3 26:14

Great. Has he applied for Medicare yet?

Speaker 7 26:17

Not even. It's very confusing.

Speaker 3 26:20

Call Montgomery County Ship. They help me with questions about my Medicare coverage.

Speaker 7 26:25

What's Montgomery County Ship?

Speaker 3 26:27

It's ship, like a boat. Montgomery County State Health Insurance Assistance Program. They help seniors like us, or people with disabilities, or caregivers and families with Medicare insurance questions.

Speaker 7 26:40

Can anyone call them?

Speaker 3 26:42

Sure. As long as you live in Montgomery County. You can call them at 301-255-4250. Or check out their website at www.medicareabcd.org.

Speaker 7 26:54

What's the number again?

Speaker 3 26:56

Montgomery County Ship. 301-255-4250. Made possible with a grant from the U.S. Administration for Community Living through the state of Maryland and Montgomery County.

Speaker 4 27:11

From credit to imposter calls to investments in words are getting smart.

Speaker 6 27:16

That's why AARP Maryland is launched to 2026. April 20th to the 24th.

Speaker 4 27:22

We call expert flags. Real stories improvement to help you protect your money and your peace of mind. Learn the red flags. From currently AARP or indeed to learn more.

Speaker 8 27:38

All right, family. Welcome back to The Senior Zone. I am your host, Shawn Perry. Now, if you've been riding with us for a while, you know we've had meaningful conversations about end-of-life care and personal choice, many of them with former Compassion and Choices CEO Kim Callanan. But today we're introducing you to the organization's new leader. Joining us now is Kevin Diaz, the new president and CEO of Compassion and Choices. Kevin is a nationally respected civil rights attorney who previously served as the organization's chief legal advocacy officer, helping lead litigation and advocacy efforts to expand end-of-life options across the country. Kevin, welcome to The Senior Zone. It's my honor. Well, thank you so much. It's really a pleasure to be here. It's a pleasure to have you. So, Kevin, before we get into the policy work, let's start with you for a moment because leadership always has a story behind it. You've spent decades, as I just mentioned, working in civil rights as well as legal advocacy. So, with that being said, what personal experiences or professional moments first drew you into the work of end-of-life choice and dignity?

Speaker 9 28:49

Yeah, well, you know, I didn't actually uh when I started my career almost 30 years ago, I didn't actually think I would be working in this particular area. Um as you you know referenced, I spent more than um a decade working with immigrants mostly in civil cases, um, and then later worked to advance civil liberties when I was with the ACLU of Oregon. Um but the thing that um really is the through line for all the work that I've done uh over the years is really how um how do you get people to be able to make decisions and have the power to make decisions in their own lives? And I think that was largely influenced, of course, by the sense of justice and service that I saw from my parents. They were both social workers, uh, and then also uh my religious upbringing. And um, I was I was born in Peru, my dad's Peruvian, and many of the Latin American theologians who shaped my faith tradition were proponents of liberation theology, which really places a strong emphasis on dignity, compassion, and standing with people in vulnerable moments. And, you know, one of the things that the Catholic tradition does really well is recognize the markers in our lives. So births, marriage, death. And then over time, I just became increasingly interested in what happens at the end of life, and particularly when medical systems can sometimes unintentionally take control away from patients and their families. Um and I was drawn to the the work at CNC because the work is really fundamentally about restoring that decision-making power to people themselves. It's you know, really about dignity, autonomy, and compassion at one of uh one of the most vulnerable moments in life.

Speaker 8 31:01

Yeah. Well, well, it's that human connection, as I was listening to you, is what really grounds this conversation, because you know, behind every law or policy are real families, right? And real uh decisions. You know, uh, Kevin, uh many of our listeners have heard us talk about compassion and choices uh before, but today might be their first introduction to your leadership. For those who may be hearing about the organization for the first time, what is the core mission of compassion and choices and why is this work so important right now?

Speaker 9 31:33

Yeah, well, you know, Compassion and Choices mission is to improve care, expand options, and empower people to chart their own end-of-life journey. And so that what that really means in a in a real sense is that every person has the ability to direct their own care at the end of life. Um, and from a practical perspective, you know, our work includes advocating for medical aid and dying laws, but it also includes uh issues around advanced care planning, strengthening uh the availability of palliative care, and perhaps most importantly, really helping families have the conversations that will ultimately ensure that a person's wishes are respected. Um and it and it matters right now in part because Americans are living longer and they often have complex medical conditions. And our healthcare system is is increasingly powerful in the sense of what it might do to you if you don't make it clear what you want. Um and so um to to help counter that default of what the medical system may want you to do versus what might be really important to you, you know, our mission is to make sure that the patient remains in the driver's seat there. And there are two sides to that mission too that you may have heard. One is improving care, and the other one is expanding options. And those things sometimes are intentioned, but they're really it's really, really important that we respect and work towards both those ends because we don't want people left behind and we want to make sure that uh folks who may have a different experience with the medical system may feel that you know they want to expand auctions at a faster rate than those folks that maybe are having a more difficult time with the medical system and really need certain protection. So there's always a little bit of a tension in our movement. And um, but I I'm very pleased that our mission takes into account both of those things.

Speaker 8 33:47

Yeah. With the time that we do have, uh Kevin, uh you know, and with your background being a chief legal advocacy officer with CNC, can you share some of the litigation and policy work that you've been involved in and how those efforts have helped expand end-of-life options across the country?

Speaker 9 34:03

Sure. Well, um, you know, some examples of the litigation are uh uh, you know, protecting the laws that were passed. Oftentimes they get challenged in courts by opponents. Uh so uh trying to partner with the state attorneys that uh are charged with defending those laws is something that we have done uh routinely and continue to do. Um you know, medical aid and dying uh until the reversal of the um uh of Roe v. Wade uh really was the only um uh kind of medical practice or um medical um treatment that uh was limited by whether or not you're a resident of a state. Um and so we've challenged those restrictions and have had some success and had some setbacks, but we're continuing to challenge those so that people can travel to get the care that they uh that they want if it's not available in their state. And then uh most recently we've had some uh lawsuits around um uh advanced directives and the fact that women were not granted the same rights as other people because all of a sudden if they became pregnant, their uh their advanced directives would would not be honored. And so we've challenged those in in a number of states and had quite a bit of a success. So that's really exciting. And then on the policy uh front, we've also uh worked to, you know, maintain uh access to telemedicine because there are a lot of folks that if they're if they're really ill and uh they can't travel, you know. Of course, we want people in rural areas or people who are somehow housebound to be able to still get the care that they need. Those are just some examples.

Speaker 8 35:55

Yeah, yeah. And I appreciate all that you that you uh just shared with us. You know, many people don't realize uh that some of the rights that they do enjoy have been shaped through courtrooms as much as through legislatures, right? And there's a difference uh there. So I thank you for your body of work, uh my my new friend here. So let's talk about where things stand today, uh Kevin. As of now, as I understand it, several states, including Washington, D.C., have authorized medical aid and dying laws. From your vantage point, uh, how has the national landscape evolved in recent years?

Speaker 9 36:28

Well, it has evolved significantly, especially since I started at CNC over 10 years ago. Um there, you know, as you mentioned, the medical aid and dying laws are uh are in a record number of states, and we've seen quite a few um quite a few wins recently, um, and they cover a substantial portion of the US pop population. And then, you know, for those folks, I mean, technically, everyone could have access to medical aid and dying because right now uh you don't have to be a resident if you travel to um Oregon or Vermont. But from a realistic perspective, you know, a lot of people are just it's too much of a barrier to to travel. And so we still work to make sure that people don't have to leave home in order to get the care that they want. I think what's um what's what's striking is how durable and carefully implemented these laws have proven to be over the years. Uh many of the fears that were raised uh when Oregon first passed this law and implemented it really have not materialized. And so at this point, where where you've seen over 20 years of this practice and and the fears that people had that those have not come to come to fruition, um and and the fact that really it's a small number of people who ultimately use medical aid and dying, but the effect that having uh changing who has the power to make those kinds of decisions at end of life really has affected the conversations around end-of-life care planning and also how clinicians view um this part of someone's life. Um and so um you know, uh so I think we're in a in a more mature place as a movement, um, but there's still some really significant risks, especially when you think of what you know the US Supreme Court could do it if a case came before it or um or kind of the the tactics that have been used by um some of the the folks in the federal government.

Speaker 8 38:43

Yeah. So with that being said, Kevin, let's separate fact from fear. You know, when people hear the phrase medical aid and dying, there can sometimes be confusion or misperception, misconceptions, I should say. What do you wish Americans understood about what these laws actually allow and what safeguards are in place?

Speaker 9 39:03

Yeah, I think um I I would say that the most important thing to understand about medical aiding aid and dying in the United States is that it's a it's very specific and it's a carefully regulated medical practice. I also think that um the um sometimes there's quite a bit of confusion because in other places like Canada, Europe, or Latin America, medical aid and dying what they call medical aid and dying is something much more broad and expansive. So the the critical point is that in the US, the law really only applies to mentally capable adults who have been diagnosed with a terminal illness, meaning a condition that um clinicians have determined will likely lead to death within six months. Patients have to make multiple requests, the clinicians have to confirm the diagnosis and their decision-making capacity, and then ultimately is kind of the last um safeguard, the medication needs to be self-administered. So uh it really is to address folks that, you know, um, you know, the the vast majority of folks that uh use medical aid and dying have some sort of cancer. So, you know, that they can uh they often will live a very long time or a significantly longer time than maybe traditionally because of medicine. Um and so um it's uh it's a it it's essentially a way to make sure that people know that they will not have to suffer. One of the things I think is most interesting about the statistics around medical aid and dying is that fully a third of the people who uh ultimately um get a prescription for medical aid and dying medication choose not to use it. So you know, what we hear from folks is that just having access to the medication really gives them the peace of mind and the um ability to not worry that they're gonna have to suffer needlessly at the end of life. And ultimately they they find that they don't need it. And so uh, you know, to me that's a really um uh a really important statistic that uh puts my mind at ease because it's not that people are rushing into this because they want to die, it's because they recognize they're gonna die and they want to make sure that they don't they don't want to they don't want to suffer and and it lets people actually change their focus and live their last days fully as opposed to just worrying about what is to come. And I think that's that's a really critical aspect of medical aid and dying.

Speaker 8 42:02

Well, thank you for bringing uh that clarity, uh uh uh Kevin. Your organization, Compassion and Choices, also works on broader end-of-life planning. Why is advanced care planning, things like wills and healthcare proxies and just conversations with loved ones, why is that so important?

Speaker 9 42:21

Well, you you know, I think I think we're about end-of-life uh care, you know, so um and medical aid and dying is just one little sliver of that. And it's an important sliver because it really changes a power dynamic. But the vast majority of folks aren't going to use uh or even go through the qualification process for medical aid and dying. So these other things are so important, and you know, I would actually start with the last one you mentioned as being the most important, which is having conversations with your loved ones, making sure that uh your loved ones' family and your care team, uh, your clinicians, actually understand what's important to you, what goals are most important to you. Do you value the amount of time you are alive more than say the uh being conscious during that time? Or do you value uh clarity of mind over, for example, um a certain pain threshold, right? Because a lot of times if you have uh significant pain medications, you're really not going to be able to participate in certain kinds of conversations or you might even be unconscious. So um it is probably the thing that has the most effect on your actual end of life care are probably the strength of those conversations and making sure that the people who are in charge of making those decisions and supporting you are actually on the same page for what you want. The wills and And advanced care documents and all those kinds of things. And those are also critically important because that's where the some of the kind of legally enforceable decisions that you make are recorded and it helps people when they're stressed out to be able to refer to something that uh they can then say, Oh yeah, that's right. This is this this is this makes sense because this is what this person told me their values are. But because the the the permutations of what treatments might be required or uh or suggested by the your care team can vary so much. What's most important is that the people around you really understand what your North Star is as far as what is your ultimate objective and what's most important to you. Um, it could be that it's uh your care should be consistent with a certain religious faith or tradition. And though, you know, people will want to know that. And it's so that people can make those decisions for you by understanding what you would want, because what you don't want is people to supplant what they would want, uh, because that might not be consistent with your decisions. So uh it it's just critical that people have those conversations.

Speaker 8 45:15

Yeah, and I appreciate all of what you just shared. Kevin, we are nearly out of time, but let's bring this conversation home for our listeners. For someone listening today, out there right now, who may be thinking about their own future health care wishes or helping a loved one just navigate those decisions. What is the very first step you would encourage them to take?

Speaker 9 45:34

Well, you know, I I would jump onto our website, frankly, and get our end-of-life decision guide. Um, I think it's a it's a free uh resource that people can use to kind of help guide them, go through guide through these uh conversations and think about what they actually want because a lot of people haven't even thought about it themselves. What would they want for themselves? Um and that's a critical step before you can talk about it with other people. Um and then really broaden that conversation to your loved ones. I think of it as giving a gift to your loved ones so that they can they don't have to worry about what would dad or mom want. And instead they can they know that answer and then they can be there for mom or dad in that moment and then spend the the energy, the the extra energy that they have really dealing with the grieving process and going through their own emotions. Um and by taking some of that doubt out of the equation, it really uh I think it really is a gift, and and that's the that that would be my first step. What's that website, Kevin?

Speaker 8 46:42

Kevin?

Speaker 9 46:43

Uh it's compassion and choices, all spelled out.org.

Speaker 8 46:48

Compassion and that's the A N D, folks, compassion and choices.org. Kevin, we got about 20 seconds left, uh, my friend. Uh as quick as you can, what gives you your greatest hope about the future of end-of-life care in America?

Speaker 9 47:01

I uh I would say that the greatest source of hope for me is that as I talk to people, whether on that they're conservative, progressive, uh religious, non-religious, whatever, uh people agree with us. People want to be able to make their own decisions at the end of life. And it's something that is such uh such a broadly held value that I think that with time and energy and focus, we'll be able to make progress so that everyone can make those decisions for themselves.

Speaker 8 47:34

Yes. Kevin Diaz, president and CEO of Compassion and Choices, thank you, thank you, thank you for joining us today and for the work that you and your team are doing to help individuals as well as families navigate these deeply personal uh decisions. And family, if you'd like to learn more about advanced care planning and the resources available through Compassion and Choices, we encourage you to visit their website at compassionandchoices.org and start those important conversations with your loved ones right now. Kevin, thank you again for spending time with us here on The Senior Zone. Thank you so much. It was really great. It was my pleasure. Folks, this next break is brought to you by AARP DC, your wise friend and fierce defender in Washington, D.C. When we return, it's birthdays of the week, followed by Dear Grave Woman, and then it's your later life lowdown. We'll be right back.

Speaker 6 48:22

Today is your day to connect with AARP and DC. AARP is here in the District of Columbia working hard to make it an even better place to live, work, and play for people of all ages, and you can help. Put your skills and talents to good use as an AARP volunteer where you can help lead local events or become an advocate for the issues that matter in your community, like funding for programs that help district residents age with dignity and independence. AARP is also helping you get the most out of life. Check out their educational workshops where they can help you grow as a caregiver, find a job, and teach you about the latest technology, or enjoy the night out at any of their exciting local events, like their happy hours and free movie screenings. Today is your day to connect with your community and with AARP. So let's take on today and every day. Learn more at AARP.org slash DC. Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday.

Birthdays of the Week

Dear Grave Woman with Joel Simone

Speaker 8 49:56

But before we head out, you already know what time it is. Let's take this moment to celebrate, honor, and recognize some beautiful lives in our community. We're sending love, light, and big birthday energy to Michael Marcus, 76 today, March 30th from Cranford, New Jersey. Happy birthday, Michael. Holly Henderson, 60, the Big 60 today as well. March 30th from Gaithersburg, Maryland. Happy birthday, Holly. Adeb Mohammed is 71. Tomorrow, Tuesday, March 31st from Bowie, Maryland. Happy birthday, Adib. Agnes Conti Booth is 75 on Wednesday, April 1st from Upper Marlboro, Maryland. Happy birthday, Agnes. David Merriweather, 81. Wednesday, April 1st from Washington, D.C. Happy birthday, David. Brenda Jackson, 71 on Thursday, April 2nd, also from Washington, D.C. Happy birthday, Brenda. Dexter Newtal is 57 on Friday, April 3rd from Washington, D.C. Happy birthday, Dexter. A few more. We have Wesley Pinckney is 72 on Friday, April 3rd from Washington, D.C. Happy birthday to you, Wesley. Verna, Washington Leftwood is 76 on Saturday, April 4th from Clinton, Maryland. Happy birthday, Verna. Calvin Hope, aka Sun, I was told, is 73 on Saturday, April 4th from Lothian, Maryland. Happy birthday, Calvin. And last but not least, Shawnee Keels 68 on Saturday, April 4th from Leonkers, New York. Happy birthday, Shawnee. And from all of us here at The Senior Zone, we celebrate you, we honor you, and we thank you for the life you continue to live and the impact you continue to make. Happy birthday again to each and every one of you. Well, family, it is now time that we shift gears into a space that's always thoughtful, always heartfelt, and always real. It's time for Dear Grave Woman featuring my friend Joelle Simone, where your questions meet wisdom, clarity, and compassion. Joelle, take it away, my friend.

Speaker 1 52:06

Hey, Shawn, and welcome back, everyone, to Dear Grave Woman. My name is Joelle Simone, and I am your host here for the Dear Grave Woman segment on The Senior Zone, where we talk about everything from planning to the end to navigating grief and everything in between. I want to remind you all that if you have a question that you'd like me to answer here on air, the easiest way to send your questions in is to email me directly at thegravewoman at gmail.com. You can also leave a comment or tag me on social media, all platforms at thegravewoman. This week we have a question. Um, and it wasn't necessarily a listener question. It was a question I was asked during an interview not too long ago. And the question was, what are the three things that I wish people understood about pre-planning? And I decided to share my answers here with you on the senior zone. The first thing that I wish people knew about pre-planning is that it doesn't necessarily have to cost you a lot of money. There's a difference between what's called pre-planning, which includes talking about the details of your service or desired memorialization and disposition and all those things. Things like do you want to be buried or cremated? Do you want to be buried where you live, or is there a family cemetery, or if you're cremated, where do you want your ashes to go and enter? You know, or do you want to be scattered, or what do you want done with your body when you die? Other details involved with pre-planning are song selections, repass information, vital statistic information, which we discussed earlier this month, and details, the details, the um the tangibles around what you want, like the type of casket you want if you want to be buried traditionally, and things like that. The pre-funding part is where the finances are discussed and allocated ahead of time, and that can happen through multiple um mediums, which we've discussed here on Dear Grave Woman, whether they be life insurance, allocation, pre-meed insurance, or burial insurance, which is technically a life insurance policy, but it's a much smaller face amount designed to cover only your disposition and funeral needs and burial needs or whatever needs that you have at the end of life. The second thing that I wish people knew is that pre-planning and pre-funding are the ultimate gift that you can give your loved ones. Making decisions ahead of time takes the pressure off of them and puts you in the driver's seat concerning your final wishes. And the third thing that I wish people knew is that it's not difficult, it's not hard. And once it's done, unless you change your mind about something or need to update information, it's done. Thank you so much for listening. Shawn, back to you for the later life lowdown.

Later Life Lowdown: News, Resources & Announcements

Closing

Speaker 8 54:57

Thank you, thank you, thank you, Joelle, always for your wisdom. All right, family, let's keep it moving because you know we always want to leave you informed as well as empowered. This is your later life lowdown, real resources, real support, and real information that you can use. So we're gonna start in Washington, D.C. The DC Department of Aging and Community Living continues to offer free transportation services for seniors 60 and over, helping you get to medical appointments, grocery stores, as well as community programs. To schedule a ride or learn more, call 202-724-5626-202-724-5626. Also in the district, the Aging and Disability Resource Center remains a trusted one-stop shop for help with housing, caregiving, benefits, and much, much more. You can reach them at again 202-724-5626. 202-724-5626. In Maryland, the Maryland Department of Aging's Senior Call Check Program. It's a program that provides daily wellness calls for older adults, offering both independence and peace of mind. To sign up, call 866-502-0560. That's 866-502-0560. And Maryland residents can also take advantage of the Share Food Network, offering low-cost grocery packages. For more information, call 301-864-3115. That's 301-864-3115. In Northern Virginia, Fairfax County offers in-home care and caregiver support services for older adults who want to remain safely in their homes. To learn more about this program, call 703-324-7948. That's 703-324-7948. And lastly, this one has no geographical limitations whatsoever. You can live anywhere in the country. It's a website called benefitscheckup.org. It's free, it's confidential, it's a resource that can help you find programs to assist with things like medication, food, utilities, and much, much more. Again, that website is benefitscheckup.org, and they are available right now. Well, folks, just like that, another powerful edition of the senior zone comes to a close. But remember, this show has always been about more than just a moment, a show. It's about building something that lasts. It's about community, connection, and continuing to live with purpose at every stage of life. And one more thing, a reminder, the senior zone has always been about more than a moment. It's about building something that lasts. That's why we are available as a podcast so these conversations can live on. They can be revisited and they can be shared. Just search the senior zone wherever you listen to podcasts. Folks, until we meet again, keep your head high, keep your heart full, and always be someone who makes someone else look forward to their tomorrow. Love you. Peace.

Speaker 2 58:14

Be sure to join us on our next broadcast.

Speaker 58:17

Until then.

Speaker 2 58:18

Live simply.

Speaker 58:19

Love generating. Speak deeply. Speak kindly.

Speaker 2 58:24

Have a wonderful week. And God willing, the senior girl will be here for another informative and entertaining hour next Monday morning at 10 a.m.