Empowering Independence

Episode 35: Ask Wise Elder

Marilyn and co-host Britni answer listener questions about issues we face with aging.
 
00:55    What is the multi-sector plan on aging and how will it help me?
02:40    80 year old mother in constant pain.  When do I consider hospice?
07:19    My vision is getting worse.  What do I do?
10:08    How do I choose a hospice company?
13:46    What does it mean to be an advocate?
 
Episode referenced:
Episode 23:  When business and care collide with Brian Banks - Providence Home Care
Episode 18:  Busting the myths of life with low vision with Mark Ivey
For more information about VillagesOKC go to https://villagesokc.org/

Episode 34: Ask Wise Elder

Marilyn and co-host Britni answer listener questions on aging issues.
00:53   What can be done about the new way to cheat people with a cash offer for "mom's home"
03:39    Exercise is so boring...what do I do?
07:34    Longtime friend lives in a great retirement community but seems stressed and is lonely.  She asked me for a good psychiatrist. How do I help?
10:18     Do you know anything about medical alert devices?
For more information about VillagesOKC go to https://villagesokc.org/

Episode 33: Possibilities with Byron Jackson

Marilyn and co-host Dana talk with Byron Jackson about his nonprofit Possibilities, and the bumpy road he took to get there.
Byron's bio:
Over the past 40 years, Byron Jackson has created an impressive track record of community training on many subjects, including cultural diversity and team building. These experiences have led him to develop a “special sauce” of experiential learning, humor, music, and fun that creates a safe environment where people can deal with their differences and share who they truly are.
Byron is Executive Director of Possibilities Inc. a non-profit in Oklahoma City that’s mission is to Strengthen the Ability of People to Work Together for Community Change.  An agency whose purpose is to facilitate individuals improving their skills so that they can impact communities they are a part of.
https://www.possibilitiesinc.org/

Episode 32: The many benefits of YMCA membership with Anissa Chadick

Marilyn and co host Dana talk with Anissa Chaddick about the many ways a YMCA membership can benefit you.
 
Anissa's bio:
Anissa Chadick is a dedicated Health Promotion Professional committed to fostering a culture of well-being and preventive health practices. With a passion for empowering Oklahomans to make informed choices, she leverages her expertise in health promotion to create impactful programs and community outreach. 
She has oversite for chronic disease prevention programs, healthy aging, and healthy living initiatives for the YMCA of Greater Oklahoma City. 
She brings 25+ years of experience in the field of health promotion, having worked in diverse settings such as community-based organizations, corporate wellness programs, and healthcare systems. Her comprehensive understanding of health determinants, behavior change theories, and evidence-based practices allows her to develop and implement effective strategies for improving health outcomes.
For more info about the YMCA visit: https://ymcaokc.org/
For more info about VillagesOKC visit: www.villagesokc.org 

Episode 31: Listen to your Gut with Dr. Debbie Ozment

Marilyn and co-host Dana talk with Dr. Debbie Ozment about how important our guts are to our overall health.
Debbie's bio:
Dr. Debbie Ozment has been a private-practice dentist since 1985. A graduate of Oklahoma University College of Dentistry, she served as adjunct faculty there for seven years. Dr. Ozment completed a Masters' degree in Metabolic and Nutritional Medicine from the University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine and is a Diplomate with the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine. Trained at Mayo Clinic, she is aNationally Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach. She is the host of "Vitality Made Simple," a weekly podcast committed to sharing practical, understandable and fun strategies to enhance your Vitality and Healthspan. Dr. Ozment is committed to early diagnosis and intervention of periodontal disease to positively affect not only the mouth, but the entire body. Enjoy her 14-minute TEDX Talk entitled "The Forgotten Orifice".
 
To register for the free Positive Aging Listen to your Gut event at Metrotech Springlake Campus on February 21st click here. 
Dr. Ozment can be reached at: Debbie@DrDebbieOzment.com
For more info about VillagesOKC visit www.villagesokc.org 

Episode 30: Mortgages and Reverse Mortgages with David Lee

Marilyn and cohost Dana talk about mortgages and what exactly a reverse mortgage is and how you can benefit from it.
 
David's bio:
David Lee is the Co-Owner and Managing Partner of Centennial Home Mortgage based in Edmond, Ok.
David is married for 33 years to his lovely wife Lori Lee and has one grown Daughter that lives in the area. We love to travel and continue to do so whether that is in the Country or outside of the Country. We are “foodies” as most call it and enjoy Culinary Tours around the World. He is a man of Faith and is a member of Faith Bible Church in Edmond.
David started in the Finance and Mortgage business in 1977 and has continually been in that business for 46 years. For 30 years he worked for and retired from The Associates Corporation of America, followed by 5 years with Wells Fargo Mortgage then the past 12 years has been the Co-Owner of Centennial Home Mortgage.
Centennial Home Mortgage is a Full-Service Mortgage Company offering a full array of Home Mortgage products and loan types and also specializes in REVERSE Mortgage Loans, most commonly called Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HECM).
David has over 20 years of experience offering, counseling and helping Seniors understand a Reverse Mortgage and if it is right for them in their particular situation. He helps them understand that the product is a GREAT product but has to be the RIGHT product for them.
To connect with David visit: https://centennialmtg.com/
For more information about VillagesOKC visit https://villagesokc.org/

Episode 29: Job opportunities for the 50 crowd with Kevin Richardson

Kevin's bio
Kevin Richardson, MA, CDP, is the owner and CEO of Seniors Helping Seniors. He founded Seniors Helping Seniors in-home care services to enable seniors to maintain an independent lifestyle in their own homes for as long as possible. Kevin has more than 20 years of experience in executive leadership and community development; bringing together caring individuals and organizations to provide hope for those in need. 
Before launching Seniors Helping Seniors, Kevin served as Director of Corporate Partnerships for Feed the Children. Kevin also served as Vice President for University Development for Southwestern Christian University, Vice President for Advancement at University of the Southwest, Director of Alumni Relations at Central Bible College and was the Director of Campus Ministry for Chi Alpha Christian Fellowship at the Pennsylvania State University and Oklahoma State University.  
Kevin holds a bachelor’s degree in biblical studies from Central Bible College and a Master of Arts in theological studies from the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary.  He is a Certified Homecare Administrator and a Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP). Additionally, he has taken a leadership role in a number of local service organizations serving as an assistant district governor for Rotary District 5750, past-president of the West Oklahoma City Rotary Club, a worship leader at Acts 2 United Methodist Church, and as the unit chaplain for Troop 226 of the Boy Scouts of America. 
Kevin and his wife Jennifer have been married for 27 years and have three children: Emma, Eli, and Josiah. 
www.seniorshelpingseniorsok.com

Episode 28: Money, Aging, and 27 years of helping others with Scott and Preston Schaefer

Marilyn and co-host Dana talk with Scott and Preston Schaefer about how they've help people make financial plans for the future.
Scott Schaefer
LUTCF®, FIC, CKA® - Financial Consultant
Scott grew up in Edmond and still resides there with his wife of more than 30 years, Jacqueline. Through his 30 years of experience working for Thrivent, Scott has helped his clients be wise with money, live generously and protect themselves and their loved ones from the unexpected.  Over the years, Scott has received many awards for his hard work. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame at Thrivent in 2012 and reached the highest honor in our organization, Hall of Fame Legends, in 2022. The Hall of Fame and Hall of Fame Legends celebrate financial professionals’ long-term commitment to our organization and their consistent, successful performance.  In his free time, Scott enjoys playing golf with his sons, Preston and Zac, traveling with his wife and spending time at their lake house on Table Rock Lake in Missouri. Scott has also been a member of his local Bible Study Fellowship for more than 15 years.
Preston Schaefer
CLTC® - Financial Consultant
Preston grew up in Edmond and now resides down the road from his childhood home with his wife, Zoe. Soon after graduating from the University of Oklahoma in 2016 with a degree in economics, he started working with his father, Scott. Together they built their team, The Schaefer Group. Over the years, Preston has helped educate clients on how to be wise with money and work toward their financial goals.  In his spare time, you can find Preston on the golf course, in the stands at an OU football game, or traveling with his wife, Zoe.
To connect with Scott click hereTo connect with Preston click here
 
 

Episode 27: Technology is your friend with Jeff Albright

Marilyn and co-host Dana talk with Apple Guru Jeff Albright about how technology is for everyone.
Jeff started working at Apple just as the original iPhone came out in 2007, and he hasn’t stopped teaching people how to use Apple devices since. He worked at Apple for four years and in IT at Oklahoma Heart Hospital for nearly a decade, then he started his own business, iCan Help in 2021, teaching people of all experiences in the OKC Metro.
To contact Jeff email help@icanhelpexpert.com

Episode 26: When caring for an aging parent is longer than you think with Paula Anderson

Marilyn and co-host Amy talk with Paula Anderson about how she cared for her mom much longer than she anticipated.  She shares what it was like and what she would do differently.
Paula grew up in Kansas and Missouri as the daughter of a minister. Attended BNC now, SNU and graduated with a early childhood degree. She stayed home with children until 1980 then returned to the classroom while pursuing a masters as a Reading Specialist. She taught Kindergarten for 18 years in the Mustang School district and continued for 9 more years as a reading specialist. She retired from teaching 15 years ago which has given her more time to enjoy her hobbies of gardening and traveling. 
She is married to Donald Anderson and a mom of 2 daughters and 2 bonus sons as well as a grandmother of 12.
In 2003 they built a home with a mother- in-law plan and began taking care of her then 85 year old mom.  After 12 years, she had some health problems that resulted in needing to move her then 96 year old mom into independent living. 
 
Episode referenced: The GIFT