What’s it like working as a hairdresser at a senior living community? Margo Brooks would tell you it’s been the best 9 years of her life, full of nonstop laughs, fun and fulfillment. Not only does she cut and style hair for senior men and women, but she uses her beauty school training for grooming and applying makeup to help seniors feel their best. Margo tells Seniors Living Expert Lori Williams how she started working at the onsite senior living salon and the joys of the job. She’ll also discuss the seniors that inspire her and how (in the words of one of her clients) feeling good is “better ..read more

You may believe that you can’t bring pets to senior living – and you wouldn’t be alone in that assumption – but fortunately that’s not always the case! Cats as well as small dogs between 20-25 pounds are often allowed in senior living. If you’re unsure whether the community will allow you to bring your pet, it’s important to first understand the different types of senior living. There’s independent living for those age 55 and over, assisted living for those who need more assistance, memory care communities, residential care homes, and nursing homes. Pets typically aren’t allowed in nursing hom ..read more

It’s always good to stay hydrated in the heat of summer, but it’s especially important for seniors. A UCLA study found that 40% of seniors may be chronically under-hydrated, with adults age 65 and above having the highest hospital admission rates for dehydration. There are a few reasons seniors tend to struggle with hydration. Some seniors may have a decreased sense of thirst as they age, and others may struggle with incontinence and avoid drinking enough. Senior Services Expert Lori Williams discusses the main reasons seniors get dehydrated, signs and symptoms, and easy fixes to stay hydrated ..read more

Did you know, African Americans are 2x as likely to develop Alzheimer’s as white Americans? Program Services Coordinator Tanesha Tyler-Carr from the Alzheimer’s Association is back to discuss facts and figures surrounding Alzheimer’s and dementia in the Black community, an especially important topic to discuss during this Black History Month. Many issues factor into the prevalence of dementia, including systemic inequality and access to culturally competent healthcare. She also explains -Where to find Alzheimer’s resources -What to do when you see your primary care physician and you don’t feel ..read more

Did you know divorce rates for people over age 50 have tripled since 1990? Divorce is a common part of society, and that’s true among seniors too. There are many reasons for “gray divorce,” or divorce after midlife. With retirement coming up, finances are on many seniors’ minds, so overspending and mismanaging money may become more of an issue. Many empty nesters may also learn they’ve grown apart after focusing on their kids for so many years. Senior Services Expert Lori Williams dives into reasons like these as well as: - What you need to know to protect yourself during a divorce - Why many ..read more

“Does Medicare cover assisted living?” is a common question Lori Williams gets as a senior living professional. Since Medicare functions as health insurance and doesn’t cover senior living, she welcomes an expert back to the show to share what it does cover. You’ll get a simple overview of the Medicare puzzle from June Kim, a community relations specialist with BlueCross BlueShield of Texas. With Medicare enrollment October 15 through December 7, it’s a great time to learn - though it’s always helpful to understand what you’re getting into! She’ll answer common questions like: ·What is Medicar ..read more

One out of every 3 seniors over the age of 65 falls in their home, with most falls occurring in the bathroom. If your family member is falling or having trouble getting around at home, but wishes to remain independent, it's critical to make the home safe for them. However, it’s hard to know which products they’ll need, who can install them and how to install them. Inspired by her experience with her own father, Founder and CEO Sydney Hughes began Senior Proof Inc. to address this gap in the market and alleviate these stresses for caregivers. The business helps with anything that makes independ ..read more

If you have a stroke or a traumatic brain injury, you might find yourself visiting a speech-language pathologist. Depending on your injury, this professional helps with different areas of cognition and executive functioning, like decision-making and problem-solving skills. Together you’ll work to restore communication – and become as independent as possible in the meantime. Francine Waskavitz is a speech-language pathologist (SLP) and integrative health and nutrition coach (IHNC) with a passion for helping seniors maximize their cognitive health. By raising awareness on the importance of a hol ..read more

Remember the old Life Alert commercials - “Help, I’ve fallen, and I can’t get up”? The tool remains groundbreaking and provides peace of mind for many seniors and their loved ones - and now technology has advanced even further to help seniors remain safe and independent. Bonnie Resnick-Destruel is the owner and president of Family Care Services Inc. They provide GPS fall alert medical alarms and medical dispensers for private pay, Medicaid, STARPLUS and waiver programs. Together with Senior Living Expert Lori Williams, she discusses: - Devices that help seniors stay protected from falls and ho ..read more

Two-thirds of people diagnosed with dementia are women. Plus, 13 million women in the U.S. either live with Alzheimer’s themselves or are caring for someone who has it. Dementia and Alzheimer’s expert Tanesha Tyler-Carr is back to discuss these statistics during Women’s History Month. As programs and services coordinator for the Alzheimer’s Association Dallas and Northeast Texas Chapter, she draws from her experience to discuss: -Alzheimer’s and women -Women as caregivers -10 warning signs to look out for Women often take on added responsibility as “sandwich generation” caregivers – that is, c ..read more