Desperately Seeking Senior Living

Desperately Seeking Senior Living is a podcast and caregiver resource created to help families navigate the overwhelming world of senior living, caregiving and aging.
Hosted by Certified Senior Advisor Valerie Lynn, the show combines real conversations, practical guidance and emotional support for the moments families often feel unprepared for - from assisted living and memory care to caregiver burnout, guilt, grief and family dynamics.
Through expert interviews, family stories and doable tips, our goal is simple: helping families go from desperate to doable đź’ś
You’ll also find caregiver resources, full show notes, support links and ways to connect through our Doable Downloads and online community @DesperateToDoable
Subscribe so you never miss an episode.
Podcast Description
Desperately Seeking Senior Living is a podcast and caregiver resource created to help families navigate the overwhelming world of senior living, caregiving and aging.
Hosted by Certified Senior Advisor Valerie Lynn, the show combines real conversations, practical guidance and emotional support for the moments families often feel unprepared for - from assisted living and memory care to caregiver burnout, guilt, grief and family dynamics.
Through expert interviews, family stories and doable tips, our goal is simple: helping families go from desperate to doable đź’ś
You’ll also find caregiver resources, full show notes, support links and ways to connect through our Doable Downloads and online community @DesperateToDoable
Subscribe so you never miss an episode.
Episodes
Episodes
May 1, 2023
Social Isolation in Seniors - Ep 98
May 1, 2023
May 1, 2023
7 min
Saying the words I’m lonely or sad or depressed are not the usual conversation starters especially since mom or dad don’t want to be a burden. You’re more likely to hear them say they’re fine…they like being alone. So today we’re going to outline some of the signs your aging loved one might be isolating, possible objections to getting out of the house and social opportunities.
CLICK HERE for our DOABLE DOWNLOAD with FULL SHOW NOTES
Follow us on INSTAGRAM for more doable tips!
Would you like to share your story and be a guest on our show?Â
Email us at familytalk@desperatelyseekingseniorliving.com
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!!Â
@desperatetodoable#desperatetodoable
Was this episode helpful? Consider making a donation to help us stay on the air. Click here to donate & Thank you!
Apr 24, 2023
Caregiving and Technology with Ryan Herd - Ep 97
Apr 24, 2023
Apr 24, 2023
22 min
I'm excited to welcome back, Ryan Herd. You may have seen his TEDx talk about his innovative technology that helps you be a fly on the wall for your aging loved one. (Check out last week's episode to learn more about this amazing tech!) This week, Ryan is sharing his inspiration…The story about his father’s battle with cancer and how Ryan’s concern and his dad’s fight for independence led to the creation of a small non-intrusive …no cameras … technology called Caregiver Smart Solutions.Â
CLICK HERE for our DOABLE DOWNLOAD with FULL SHOW NOTES
Follow us on INSTAGRAM for more doable tips!
Would you like to share your story and be a guest on our show?Â
Email us at familytalk@desperatelyseekingseniorliving.com
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!!Â
@desperatetodoable#desperatetodoable
Was this episode helpful? Consider making a donation to help us stay on the air. Click here to donate & Thank you!
Apr 17, 2023
Apr 17, 2023
31 min
Is your mom leaving the stove on? Did the furnace break down in the middle of winter or the air conditioner during the hottest days and you didn’t find out for a week? Are you considering installing cameras…But that just seems too intrusive? Then you won't want to miss this episode! We’re talking with the creator of caregiver smart solutions, Ryan Herd. You may have seen his TEDx talk about his innovative technology that helps you be a fly on the wall for your loved one…without being intrusive.Â
CLICK HERE for our DOABLE DOWNLOAD with FULL SHOW NOTES
Follow us on INSTAGRAM for more doable tips!
Would you like to share your story and be a guest on our show?Â
Email us at familytalk@desperatelyseekingseniorliving.com
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!!Â
@desperatetodoable#desperatetodoable
Was this episode helpful? Consider making a donation to help us stay on the air. Click here to donate & Thank you!
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Apr 10, 2023
When They Forget Who You Are - Ep 95
Apr 10, 2023
Apr 10, 2023
11 min
What’s in a name? Alot…there’s so much that I would give anything to have had the technology we have today where I could've kept a recording of my dad leaving me a message… calling me the way he usually did by my first and middle name. My dad died in 2007 he had alcohol related dementia and there was a point in his disease where he didn’t know who I was.Â
In this episode we're talking through what other families have experienced along with some tips for what to do if this happens to you.
CLICK HERE for our DOABLE DOWNLOAD with FULL SHOW NOTES
Follow us on INSTAGRAM for more doable tips!
Would you like to share your story and be a guest on our show?Â
Email us at familytalk@desperatelyseekingseniorliving.com
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!!Â
@desperatetodoable#desperatetodoable
Has our show been helpful? Consider making a donation to help us stay on the air. Click here to donate & Thank you!
Apr 3, 2023
Apr 3, 2023
32 min
Ok…so who’s going to talk to mom about the fact that she is not doing ok at home? Is it you? Your brother? Her best friend or her Doctor? Are you seriously dreading this conversation...because most families are! This week is PART 2 with Bekah Wolken who has years of experience working in the senior living industry and in this episode she's sharing her tips! We're talking strategies, tone and likely objections you should be prepared for.
CLICK HERE for our DOABLE DOWNLOAD with FULL SHOW NOTES
Follow us on INSTAGRAM for more doable tips!
Would you like to share your story and be a guest on our show?Â
Email us at familytalk@desperatelyseekingseniorliving.com
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!!Â
@desperatetodoable#desperatetodoable
Has our show been helpful? Consider making a donation to help us stay on the air. Click here to donate & Thank you!
Mar 27, 2023
Mar 27, 2023
12 min
We've all been asked how we're doing and most of us... at one time or another have said..."I'm fine." If you've asked your aging parent the same question? Chances are you're hearing..."I'm just fine." So this week we're talking with Bekah Wolken about some of the signs that fine...might not be fine at all. Bekah has years of experience working in the senior living industry and in this episode she's sharing her tips!
CLICK HERE for our DOABLE DOWNLOAD with FULL SHOW NOTES
Follow us on INSTAGRAM for more doable tips!
Would you like to share your story and be a guest on our show?Â
Email us at familytalk@desperatelyseekingseniorliving.com
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!!Â
@desperatetodoable#desperatetodoable
Has our show been helpful? Consider making a donation to help us stay on the air. Click here to donate & Thank you!
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Mar 20, 2023
Understanding Denial in Aging - Ep 92
Mar 20, 2023
Mar 20, 2023
7 min
Are you the one trying to convince your family that your Mom needs more help? Or are you the family member that just doesn't see it. Denial is something we hear families talk about, admit to and think a family member might be in. The most important thing about denial is that it's normal. If you’ve been told you’re in denial, you are not alone. If you're the one trying to convince someone else they are...you're not alone. So listen in! In this episode, we’re talking about the signs you might be in denial, why you might be in denial, and the implications.Â
CLICK HERE for our DOABLE DOWNLOAD with FULL SHOW NOTES
Follow us on INSTAGRAM for more doable tips!
Would you like to share your story and be a guest on our show?Â
Email us at familytalk@desperatelyseekingseniorliving.com
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!!Â
@desperatetodoable#desperatetodoable
Has our show been helpful? Consider making a donation to help us stay on the air. Click here to donate & Thank you!
Â
Mar 13, 2023
Mar 13, 2023
11 min
Last week we talked about weight in assisted living and how that affects transferring but it’s not just weight. It’s arthritis, a stroke, Parkinson’s, surgery or a fall… and no matter how much your mom or dad weighs transfer assistance can be more expensive and may not be available at every assisted living. In this episode we're talking about the different types of transferring and why you should start your call with this topic, when looking for assisted living.
CLICK HERE for our DOABLE DOWNLOAD with FULL SHOW NOTES
Follow us on INSTAGRAM for more doable tips!
Would you like to share your story and be a guest on our show?Â
Email us at familytalk@desperatelyseekingseniorliving.com
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!!Â
@desperatetodoable#desperatetodoable
Has our show been helpful? Consider making a donation to help us stay on the air. Click here to donate & Thank you!
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