Solving Life's Next Chapter Podcast - Cutting Edge Information for Your Powerful Senior Years
Remember college shopping with your kids to find the best school for them?
Or, the other milestone of getting married and you had to find the place for your wedding and all the accoutrements?
Navigating the unknown is tricky, at first. So knowing the issues and milestones as you age and how to make good choices to address them for your aging parents or even for yourself is critical.
Have you shared how you want you want your golden years to look with your family? Does your family know what you want to happen when you are no longer here?
Do they know your wishes about your health care so they can help you in the best way possible if you are unable to tell them when that time comes?
What about your plans for living when you can no longer live alone?
Knowing these personal choices and the answers to these questions is a guessing game. Plus, just like paying for your dream wedding was a concern, so is paying for in-home help as you age. And moving to a home that offers assistance on the campus such as an assisted living community can also be pricy. What's involved in downsizing to a smaller home so that you can liquidate some equity to help pay for future services, such as caregivers? Or what kind of plan is needed to manage daily life if a family member receives a dementia diagnosis?
Did you know there are dozens of ways to answer these questions? There are!
But, which are YOUR best answers? Few of us ever thinks about managing aging issues, but the truth is, it happens to every person in every walk of life, every single day. There are 60,000 baby boomers turning 65 EVERY SINGLE DAY.
Listen to our Solving Life's Next Chapter Podcast and get to know me and my vetted, friendly guests who have answers we all need and ideas we can weigh as we age or as we help our parents age.
Let's Solve YOUR Life's Next Chapter together!
Solving Life's Next Chapter Podcast - Cutting Edge Information for Your Powerful Senior Years
“Senior Living 101”"
🎙️ Solving Life’s Next Chapter: Senior Living 101 with Shea and Leslie, experts in the Senior industry as between them, they have 55+ years of experience in the senior industry
When it comes to helping a loved one transition into senior living, most families have the same reaction — where do we even begin?
On this week’s episode of Solving Life’s Next Chapter, host Lydia Wietsma, Certified Probate & Senior REALTOR® and owner of NextHome Power Realty, sat down with Shae Rambow and Leslie A. Davis, trusted senior-living professionals, to unpack the most common questions families face when exploring senior housing options. Together, they shared compassionate insight, practical advice, and a clear path to making confident decisions.
Understanding Senior-Living Options
Shea began by explaining that “senior living” isn’t one-size-fits-all. Families can choose from:
- Independent Living – Ideal for active seniors who want freedom with added community amenities.
- Assisted Living – Provides daily support with meals, medication, and personal care while encouraging independence.
- Continuing Care Communities – Offer multiple levels of care in one location, allowing residents to age in place.
They emphasized that understanding these distinctions early helps families focus on what their loved one truly needs rather than what feels urgent in the moment.
Knowing When It’s Time to Consider a Move
One of the toughest parts of the senior-living journey is recognizing the signs that a move might be needed. Shea and Leslie shared that indicators often include isolation, poor nutrition, medication mismanagement, or safety hazards at home.
They encouraged families to start the conversation early—not during a crisis. “The earlier you talk about it,” Leslie said, “the more control your loved one has in choosing where and how they want to live.”
We also discussed the emotional side of these decisions. Guilt and hesitation are normal, but professionals can guide families through those feelings with compassion and facts.
Touring Communities and Asking the Right Questions
Once families decide to explore options, Shea and Leslie recommends visiting multiple communities and coming prepared with questions about staffing, activities, dining, and medical support.
They reminded listeners that finding the right fit is about more than cost—it’s about quality of life. Tasting the food is very important so make sure to take time to have a meal whether that's a lunch or a dinner.
During the conversation, Lydia noted how often her real-estate clients feel relief once they realize there are professionals who specialize in this process, from finding the right community to coordinating the home sale.
Financial Planning and Available Resources
Another major concern for families is how to pay for care. Shea highlighted resources such as:
- VA Aid & Attendance benefits for eligible veterans and surviving spouses.
- Bridge loans or home-equity options to fund the transition.
- Working with a SRES, Certified (Senior Real Estate Specialist) REALTOR® familiar with downsizing and estate sales.
By planning
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