Did your holiday visit with your parents leave you feeling a little uneasy? 🎄 Stacks of unopened mail. Expired food in the fridge. Changes in mood, memory, or hygiene. Those small moments can raise a big question: Is it time for more help at home? In this episode of 🎙️ Aging Starts Now, Outreach Coordinator Dana Hentschel sits down with Elder Care Coordinator Erin Keogh-Rankin of Johnson McGinnis Elder Care Law & Estate Planning to talk through the subtle—and not-so-subtle—red flags families often notice during holiday visits. We cover: ✔️ Common warning signs in the home environment ✔️ Changes in memory, behavior, mobility, and self-care ✔️ How to know when it’s time to intervene ✔️ First steps to take—without guilt or panic ✔️ How to support aging parents while respecting dignity and independence If you noticed changes and aren’t sure what they mean, you’re not alone—and you don’t have to figure it out by yourself.

The holidays are often filled with tradition and togetherness—but for families caring for a loved one with dementia, they can also bring unexpected challenges. In this episode of Aging Starts Now, Outreach Coordinator Dana Hentschel is joined by Lynn Wood, Caregiver Support Coordinator for Mental Health America of the MidSouth. Together, they explore why the holiday season can be particularly overwhelming for individuals living with dementia and those who care for them. Listeners will learn how to recognize early signs of distress, navigate changes in routine, and thoughtfully adapt traditions to create meaningful, supportive holiday experiences rooted in compassion and understanding. 🎧 Listen now and share with someone who may need encouragement this season.

In this episode, elder care coordinator Katlyn Green sits down with Lisa Dotson of Northfield Church to explore the heart and impact of Night to Shine—a worldwide prom experience, sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation, created especially for individuals with special needs. We walk through: The mission and purpose of Night to Shine Northfield Church’s years of involvement What honored guests can expect on this unforgettable evening How volunteers make the event come alive The meaningful ways Night to Shine strengthens families and the community And how YOU can get involved—whether by attending, volunteering, or supporting in other ways This conversation is a beautiful reminder of what happens when a community comes together to celebrate every person’s worth. A huge thank you to Northfield Church, the volunteers, caregivers, families, and honored guests who make this night so extraordinary each year. If you’re inspired by today’s episode, we encourage you to get involved or help spread the word. Every bit of support matters. Learn more here- https://www.nfnighttoshine.com/ Johnson McGinnis Elder Care Law & Estate Planning is a Life Care Planning Law Firm helping families navigate the legal, financial, and health care challenges of aging.

We’re back with Part 2 of our series on Special Needs Trusts — and this week, we’re looking beyond public benefits. In this episode, we explore how a Special Needs Trust can also play a powerful role in asset protection and strengthen your overall estate plan. Attorney Josh Hunter of Johnson McGinnis Elder Care Law & Estate Planning returns to share practical insight and guidance every family should hear.

When you’re caring for someone who depends on ongoing support, every decision matters — especially the financial ones. What many families don’t realize is that even the most well-meaning gift or inheritance can unintentionally jeopardize vital benefits like Medicaid or SSI. In today’s episode, we’re diving into a topic that can truly shape a loved one’s future: special needs trusts. Joining us is Attorney Josh Hunter of Johnson McGinnis Elder Care Law & Estate Planning, who breaks down how these trusts work, why they’re so important, and how they can safeguard long-term care and financial stability.

Denial & Dementia: Why Waiting Can Lead to Crisis In this episode of Aging Starts Now, Outreach Coordinator Dana Hentschel sits down with Certified Elder Law Attorney Barbara McGinnis to talk about one of the most difficult—and most overlooked—parts of dementia: denial. Families often explain away the early signs… the confusion, the personality changes, the small mistakes. But when warning signs are ignored, the consequences can quickly escalate. Dana and Barbara share the real story of a family who struggled to accept their father’s dementia until it led to a heartbreaking crisis. Together, they break down: Why denial is such a powerful force How to recognize when “normal aging” may be something more The risks of delaying action What families can do to move toward acceptance and safety Whether you’re caring for an aging loved one or want to better understand dementia, this is a meaningful and eye-opening conversation you won’t want to miss.

When aging parents say, “I’m fine right here,” or “I don’t need help,” — what do you do next? In this week’s episode of Aging Starts Now, host Debra King, Elder Care Coordinator and Licensed Clinical Social Worker at Johnson McGinnis Elder Care Law & Estate Planning, dives into one of the toughest family conversations: when loved ones resist the idea of moving to an assisted living community. Joined by fellow elder care coordinator Pati Bedwell, Debra explores: 💬 Why older adults often resist assisted living 💬 How to start the conversation with empathy — not pressure 💬 The role of neutral professionals in easing tension 💬 Bridge steps families can take before making a big move 💬 Real success stories of families who found peace and balance Whether you’re just beginning this journey or in the middle of difficult decisions, this episode offers compassionate, practical guidance to help you move forward — together.

Thinking about moving a parent into assisted living? You’re not alone — and it’s okay to feel overwhelmed. On the latest episode of Aging Starts Now, Elder Care Coordinators Pati Bedwell and Debra King share what to expect — emotionally, practically, and financially — so you can make confident, compassionate choices.

Caring for a loved one with dementia can be overwhelming — but you don’t have to do it alone. In this episode, Elder Care Coordinator Debra King. LCSW is joined by Keita Cole from the Tennessee Dementia Navigator Program — a powerful (and free) resource helping families across Tennessee find the support, guidance, and services they need. 💬 In this conversation, we cover: ✔️ What the Dementia Navigator Program is & how it works ✔️ Real ways it supports caregivers and individuals with dementia ✔️ How to access these services — and who qualifies ✔️ Why early connection to resources can change everything If you or someone you love is facing the challenges of dementia, this episode is essential listening.

Scammers are getting smarter — but so are we. In our latest episode, Elder Care Coordinator Debra King, LCSW of Johnson McGinnis Elder Care Law & Estate Planning sits down with Chris Ramage, Special Agent-in-Charge at the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, to explore Safe Senior TN, a powerful initiative helping protect older adults from online and offline threats. 🎙️ Tune in to learn: ✅ The most common scams targeting seniors today ✅ Cell phone & email safety tips for older adults ✅ How to stay safe on social media ✅ Free education & resources available through Safe Senior TN ✅ How YOU can help spread awareness Whether you're a senior, caregiver, or advocate — this episode is a must-listen.

Outreach coordinator Dana Hentschel is joined by Shelly Smitherman, Assistant Special Agent in Charge at the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, to talk about the TBI Find App—a game-changing tool for families and caregivers of vulnerable adults across Tennessee. If you care for someone with dementia, Alzheimer’s, or another cognitive condition—you need to hear this.

Certified Elder Law Attorney Barbara McGinnis chats with Dr. Monica Crane about one of the most challenging and misunderstood forms of dementia. Dr. Crane will discuss: 🔹 The stages of Lewy Body Dementia 🔹 How symptoms can differ from Alzheimer’s 🔹 What families can expect — and how they can cope 🎧 If you or a loved one is facing this diagnosis, this episode is a must-listen. Dr. Crane is a fellowship-trained geriatric medicine physician who is nationally recognized as an expert in multidisciplinary dementia care about the Lewy Body Dementia. Dr. Crane serves as Medical Director for Tennessee Memory Disorders Foundation and Clinic and is a Clinical Assistant Professor at The University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine.

Who should you trust with your future? 🤔 Choosing the right attorney-in-fact, executor, or trustee is one of the most important — and emotional — parts of estate planning. Whether you have multiple children, no children, or a blended family, the decision isn't always clear. 🎙️ On this episode of Aging Starts Now, Outreach Coordinator Dana Hentschel and Certified Elder Law Attorney Barbara McGinnis break down how to make the best choice for your unique situation.

In this episode of Aging Starts Now, Elder Care Coordinator Deborah King talks with Tara Grimett from Personic Health about how advanced wound care—once limited to clinics—can now be provided in the comfort of your home. Learn who needs wound care, how referrals work, and what tools and technologies are used (like wound vacs and ultrasound mist machines). If you or a loved one is dealing with wounds that aren't healing, this episode could be life-changing. 🔗 Show notes & free elder law resources: www.tn-elderlaw.com > Free Resources > Aging Starts Now

Palliative care doesn’t mean giving up. It means getting support—while continuing treatments like chemo, dialysis, or radiation. A lot of people think palliative care is the same as hospice. It’s not. Elder Care Coordinator Debra King dives into this topic with Shelby Kelley, a nurse practitioner of palliative care.

Are you or a loved one a veteran? 🪖 Do you know how to actually use the VA health care system? VA-accredited attorney Chris Johnson joins public benefits specialist Tyler McCullar to explain how the VA health system works—and how veterans can access the benefits they’ve earned. 💡 Get clarity on: ✅ Who qualifies for VA health care ✅ What services are available ✅ Common myths that hold veterans back

Have you ever heard the term "life settlement" in the context of life insurance? Elder Care Coordinator Katlyn Green explores alternative sources of supplemental income for seniors with Rob Haynie, owner and Managing Director of Life Insurance Settlements—one of the leading life settlement brokers in the industry.

You have gone to an attorney and created a trust and now you can mark that off your list right? The question is have you funded your trust. Certified Elder Law Attorney Barbara McGinnis along with Attorney Chris Johnson talk about an the most important step in creating a trust, which is trust funding.

Do you have a will? What happens if you pass away before creating this document? Outreach Coordinator Dana Hentschel speaks with Attorney Josh Hunter about what happens if someone passes away and they never created an official will. Will a handwritten will work? What about verbal wishes? We discuss all of this in today's episode.

Have you thought about pre-planning your funeral? Few people do, but it can be a great relief for those left behind. Outreach Coordinator Dana Hentschel speaks with Elder Care Coordinator Katlyn Green about making final arrangements.