Desperately Seeking Senior Living

Desperately Seeking Senior living is for all the sons, daughters, grandkids, spouses and ALL caregivers who suddenly find themselves tangled in the search for senior living and care. Join us for Doable Tips or our full length Family Talk episodes where Host Valerie Lynn interviews families about their experiences searching for senior living and care. Dive deeper with our Doable Download where we include full show notes, industry definitions and bonus tips from our guests. All designed to help you take a desperate situation and make it doable. Submit your questions then subscribe so you never miss an episode!
Episodes
Episodes
Monday Nov 03, 2025
EP 163 New Jersey Senior Living & Care with Guest Kat Verdi
Monday Nov 03, 2025
Monday Nov 03, 2025
In this episode, caregiver coach and dementia-care trainer Kat Verdi joins Valerie to break down what families need to know about independent living, assisted living, memory care, and buy-in communities across the Garden State. From understanding the real differences between care types to asking the right “what if” questions before signing a contract, Kat shares compassionate, practical advice based on more than a decade of hands-on experience.
You’ll walk away knowing how to spot red flags, what to expect financially, and why transparency is key on both sides. Whether you’re just beginning to explore options or already deep in the process, this conversation will help you move from confusion to clarity - and, as always, help make it doable.
CLICK HERE for our DOABLE DOWNLOAD with FULL SHOW NOTES
Follow us on INSTAGRAM for more doable tips!
Need help finding senior living or care? BECOME A CLIENT TODAY!
We can help with your search for senior living & care wherever you live!www.clearpathsls.com
Would you like to share your story and be a guest on our show?
Guest Application
Email us at connect@desperatelyseekingseniorliving.com with your senior living questions.
www.desperatelyseekingseniorliving.com
Hit subscribe ✅ and spread the word! 📣
Listen wherever you listen to podcasts! Don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss an episode! THANK YOU for listening in 🎧commenting, liking 👍, telling others 📣about the show!!
@desperatetodoable#desperatetodoable
Monday Oct 06, 2025
Monday Oct 06, 2025
If you’ve ever tried to figure out senior living or care options in Washington State, you know just how overwhelming it can be. From 55+ communities to assisted living, memory care, adult family homes, and in-home care — there’s a lot to untangle. In this episode, I sit down with my friend and newest member of the Clear Path team, Morgan Nelson to break it all down.
Together, we explore why Washington is considered one of the best-equipped states for senior care, how to tell when it’s time to transition from home, and what families can do to prepare before they’re in crisis mode. We also get honest about guilt, burnout, and the emotional side of making these decisions.
Whether you’re helping a loved one or planning for your own future, this episode will help you feel more informed, less alone, and a lot more doable as you navigate your next steps.
Need help with senior living & care in Pierce, Thurston or S. King County, WA - email Morgan today! Morgan@clearpathsls.com
CLICK HERE for our DOABLE DOWNLOAD with FULL SHOW NOTES
Follow us on INSTAGRAM for more doable tips!
Need help finding senior living or care? BECOME A CLIENT TODAY!
We can help with your search for senior living & care wherever you live!www.clearpathsls.com
Would you like to share your story and be a guest on our show?
Guest Application
Email us at connect@desperatelyseekingseniorliving.com with your senior living questions.
www.desperatelyseekingseniorliving.com
Hit subscribe ✅ and spread the word! 📣
Listen wherever you listen to podcasts! Don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss an episode! THANK YOU for listening in 🎧commenting, liking 👍, telling others 📣about the show!!
@desperatetodoable#desperatetodoable
Monday Sep 01, 2025
Monday Sep 01, 2025
You know that feeling when you’re doing everything right for your aging parent and it still feels impossible to keep up? That’s where today’s episode comes in. I’m joined by Kara JVA from the PACE program—an all-inclusive care model that helps older adults live safely at home while still receiving medical care, social support, and even transportation. We dig into eligibility, bust common myths, and share real-life examples of how PACE changes lives for both seniors and their families. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, this conversation is your reminder that help is out there—and it might be closer than you think.
https://www.npaonline.org/
CLICK HERE for our DOABLE DOWNLOAD with FULL SHOW NOTES
Follow us on INSTAGRAM for more doable tips!
Need help finding senior living or care? BECOME A CLIENT TODAY!
We can help with your search for senior living & care wherever you live!www.clearpathsls.com
Would you like to share your story and be a guest on our show?
Guest Application
Email us at connect@desperatelyseekingseniorliving.com with your senior living questions.
www.desperatelyseekingseniorliving.com
Hit subscribe ✅ and spread the word! 📣
Listen wherever you listen to podcasts! Don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss an episode! THANK YOU for listening in 🎧commenting, liking 👍, telling others 📣about the show!!
@desperatetodoable#desperatetodoable
Monday Aug 04, 2025
EP 160 Missouri Senior Living & Care Options with Guest Erin Dwyer
Monday Aug 04, 2025
Monday Aug 04, 2025
In this episode, we explore senior living in Missouri with Erin Dwyer of Senior Care Authority, who shares her vast knowledge of the state’s senior care options, including the challenges families face when funds run low. We discuss the financial limitations of Medicaid in Missouri, the differences between assisted living and skilled nursing, and how planning ahead can help families make the best decisions. Erin also sheds light on the work being done to pass the Family Choice Act, which aims to give families more control and transparency in their care decisions. Plus, we dive into the complexities of online lead aggregators and how they can complicate the search for the right care.
CLICK HERE for our DOABLE DOWNLOAD with FULL SHOW NOTES
Follow us on INSTAGRAM for more doable tips!
Need help finding senior living or care? BECOME A CLIENT TODAY!
We can help with your search for senior living & care wherever you live!www.clearpathsls.com
Would you like to share your story and be a guest on our show?
Guest Application
Email us at connect@desperatelyseekingseniorliving.com with your senior living questions.
www.desperatelyseekingseniorliving.com
Hit subscribe ✅ and spread the word! 📣
Listen wherever you listen to podcasts! Don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss an episode! THANK YOU for listening in 🎧commenting, liking 👍, telling others 📣about the show!!
@desperatetodoable#desperatetodoable
Monday Jul 07, 2025
EP 159 Colorado Senior Living & Care with Guest Jan Peterson
Monday Jul 07, 2025
Monday Jul 07, 2025
If you're exploring senior living options in Colorado—or even just wondering what makes this state different—we've got you covered. In this episode, I’m joined by Jan Peterson, a Certified Senior Advisor and founder of Blossoms Senior Placement in Denver. With deep roots in Colorado and years of hands-on experience, Jan walks us through the wide variety of care types available—from senior living communities to memory care and private care homes. We dig into pricing, Medicaid, PACE programs, and how Colorado supports families at every income level. You'll hear tips on finding the right fit, what questions to ask, and how to avoid surprises—plus why Jan says her city is a hidden gem when it comes to healthcare and aging support. Whether you're a family caregiver or just planning ahead, this episode makes it doable!
CLICK HERE for our DOABLE DOWNLOAD with FULL SHOW NOTES
Follow us on INSTAGRAM for more doable tips!
Need help finding senior living or care? BECOME A CLIENT TODAY!
We can help with your search for senior living & care wherever you live!www.clearpathsls.com
Would you like to share your story and be a guest on our show?
Guest Application
Email us at connect@desperatelyseekingseniorliving.com with your senior living questions.
www.desperatelyseekingseniorliving.com
Hit subscribe ✅ and spread the word! 📣
Listen wherever you listen to podcasts! Don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss an episode! THANK YOU for listening in 🎧commenting, liking 👍, telling others 📣about the show!!
@desperatetodoable#desperatetodoable
Monday Jun 02, 2025
EP 158 The Senior Living Amenities Trap: Are You Falling for It?
Monday Jun 02, 2025
Monday Jun 02, 2025
It’s easy to get swept up in the shiny stuff—movie theaters, cafés, even tanning beds! And honestly? There’s nothing wrong with loving those features. But when it comes to choosing a senior living community, your expectations (and theirs) need to align. In this episode, we explore how to tell the difference between what you love and what your loved one will actually use, how to spot red flags, great questions to ask yourself and the community and why the vibe of a community beats the bells and whistles every time!
CLICK HERE for our DOABLE DOWNLOAD with FULL SHOW NOTES
Follow us on INSTAGRAM for more doable tips!
Need help finding senior living or care? BECOME A CLIENT TODAY!
We can help with your search for senior living & care wherever you live!www.clearpathsls.com
Would you like to share your story and be a guest on our show?
Guest Application
Email us at connect@desperatelyseekingseniorliving.com with your senior living questions.
www.desperatelyseekingseniorliving.com
Hit subscribe ✅ and spread the word! 📣
Listen wherever you listen to podcasts! Don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss an episode! THANK YOU for listening in 🎧commenting, liking 👍, telling others 📣about the show!!
@desperatetodoable#desperatetodoable
Monday May 05, 2025
EP 157 Florida Senior Living & Care with Guest Carline Cadet Francois
Monday May 05, 2025
Monday May 05, 2025
When you're sandwiched between raising kids and caring for aging parents, the stress can feel overwhelming—especially in a state like Florida, where senior living options are vast but complex. In this episode, I’m joined by Carline Cadet Francois @FloridaALFConsulting, a dynamic healthcare entrepreneur and visionary leader in Florida’s senior care scene. As the founder of Florida Assisted Living Consulting (FALC), Carline has become a trusted resource for ALF owners, caregivers, and senior care professionals across the state. We explore everything from in-home care and assisted living to respite options, adult family care homes, and Medicaid. Carline brings both compassion and clarity—reminding us that support might be just around the corner, and that you don’t have to do this alone.
CLICK HERE for our DOABLE DOWNLOAD with FULL SHOW NOTES
Follow us on INSTAGRAM for more doable tips!
Need help finding senior living or care? BECOME A CLIENT TODAY!
We can help with your search for senior living & care wherever you live!www.clearpathsls.com
Would you like to share your story and be a guest on our show?
Guest Application
Email us at connect@desperatelyseekingseniorliving.com with your senior living questions.
www.desperatelyseekingseniorliving.com
Hit subscribe ✅ and spread the word! 📣
Listen wherever you listen to podcasts! Don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss an episode! THANK YOU for listening in 🎧commenting, liking 👍, telling others 📣about the show!!
@desperatetodoable#desperatetodoable
Monday Apr 07, 2025
Monday Apr 07, 2025
Let’s be real—no one’s excited to talk about death or senior living, but waiting until there’s a crisis just makes it harder. In this heartfelt and eye-opening episode, Lisa Pahl and I peel back the layers of fear, guilt, and denial that so often block these conversations. With humor, honesty, and a whole lot of insight, we explore creative tools like The Death Deck, the emotional realities of caregiving, and how just starting the conversation (even at game night!) can empower families to plan with love—not panic. If you’ve ever felt stuck on how to talk about the end, this episode is your gentle nudge forward.
Lisa Pahl, LCSW and Hospice & Emergency Medicine Social Worker @thedeathdeck
CLICK HERE for our DOABLE DOWNLOAD with FULL SHOW NOTES
Follow us on INSTAGRAM for more doable tips!
Need help finding senior living or care? BECOME A CLIENT TODAY!
We can help with your search for senior living & care wherever you live!www.clearpathsls.com
Would you like to share your story and be a guest on our show?
Guest Application
Email us at connect@desperatelyseekingseniorliving.com with your senior living questions.
www.desperatelyseekingseniorliving.com
Hit subscribe ✅ and spread the word! 📣
Listen wherever you listen to podcasts! Don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss an episode! THANK YOU for listening in 🎧commenting, liking 👍, telling others 📣about the show!!
@desperatetodoable#desperatetodoable








