The Voice of Aging

What to Ask, Expect, and Plan for When Choosing a Retirement Community

Host Brynne Malone of Aging Solutions interviews Aleshia Salter, an executive director of a retirement community offering independent living, assisted living, and memory care, and Jessica Johnston, a community relations director, about how to navigate the transition from home to senior living. They explain key roles in a community, why aging adults can be “vulnerable” (especially with cognitive changes), and how crisis events and hidden decline in ADLs often drive moves. The conversation covers culture and leadership, the importance of listening to families, touring tips like meal visits, staffing and communication expectations, and resident safety and grievance processes (including ombudsman, APS, and state oversight). They discuss costs in Spokane, the need to ask directly about Medicaid acceptance and limits, elder-law planning, and how community life can reduce isolation, improve quality of life, and help residents regain purpose. www.AgingSolutionsNW.com @AgingSolutions

Hospice Isn’t What You Think: Benefits, Myths, and How It Supports Families

Host Brynne Malone of Aging Solutions welcomes hospice liaison Kathleen Giannette to reframe hospice as a holistic, supportive journey rather than something to fear. Kathleen explains her role as a family’s first contact, shares her mother’s hospice experience, and clarifies common misconceptions: hospice can last months to years, focuses on comfort without automatically stopping all medications, and provides rapid access to symptom management, equipment, and terminal-diagnosis prescriptions covered 100% by Medicare. They discuss when to call hospice instead of 911, hospital visits and discharge/readmission, eligibility and recertification, hospice houses and general inpatient hospice, respite care, volunteers, veterans’ pinning ceremonies, what happens at death, and bereavement support for families for about 13 months. www.AgingSolutionsNW.com @AgingSolutions

Real Estate Decisions for Seniors: Timing, Preparation, and Avoiding Pitfalls with Jake Beal

Host Brynne Malone of Aging Solutions welcomes licensed real estate broker Jake Beal to discuss today’s real estate market through the lens of adults 65+. They note that 78% of people 65+ own homes, 40% still carry mortgages, and many weigh selling to fund retirement or a move to a retirement community. Beal emphasizes starting conversations 6–12+ months early to reduce stress, plan personal property decisions, and prioritize “lipstick vs. surgery” improvements, including options like roof remediation warranties. He explains pricing strategies using sold and active comps, why spring often yields higher prices than winter, and the difference between appraisers (justification) and realtors (market motivation). They cover listing agreements, typical fees, investor/wholesaler risks, dual agency concerns, contract realities, and the value of interviewing agents and setting communication expectations, while acknowledging the emotional ties and community loss involved in leaving a longtime home. AgingSolutionsNW.com TheBealGroupLLC.com @RealJakeBeal

Funeral Planning, Pre-Planning, and What Families Should Know

Host Brynne Malone of Aging Solutions interviews local Pacific Northwest funeral directors Andrew and Julie Adams about funeral planning and pre-planning, aiming to make end-of-life conversations more approachable and consumer-focused. They share how they entered funeral service, discuss traditional versus modern practices, and explain that embalming is generally optional in Washington and what the process entails, including preparation for viewings. The conversation covers what happens after a home death (hospice vs. 911, police, and medical examiner involvement), why “unattended” deaths can delay removal, and how pre-planning can range from documenting wishes to arranging paperwork, costs, music, obituaries, and family messages. They outline cost ranges, the major variability and expense of cemeteries, cremation logistics (including witness cremations and what remains look like), transparency about off-site care centers, and key veterans benefits such as cemetery space, headstones, liners, and honors. www.riplingerfuneralhome.com www.AgingSolutionsNW.com

Pre-need and pre-planning for end of life preparations with Chuck Wendt

Nobody wants to talk about it, but how will we ever know what to do at the end of the life of a loved one if we don't? To bury or cremate? What kind of end of life celebration do you want for yourself? How does your family want to celebrate you? In this candid conversation we speak with Chuck Wendt a pre-planning coordinator. We talk about the process, cost, options and benefits of doing it now until waiting until it's too late. Chuck urges people to have these conversations, because it's not only informative it can be an opportunity for connection.