Welcome Wisdom

Constructive Conversations: Honest Conversations about Senior Living Options

— by Felicia Juntunen, MA, CMC, Director of Care Management Throughout this year’s series, we’ve explored many challenging conversations that aging families face. One of the most emotionally charged topics is the idea of moving an older adult from their long-time home to a new setting. Home represents more than a physical space- it’s a symbol of... Read More

Constructive Conversations about Care at Home

— by Felicia Juntunen, MA, CMC, Director of Care Management The idea of accepting care at home is among the difficult conversations families may encounter as they navigate supporting an aging loved one. Understanding the perceived barriers to accepting care can help families have constructive conversations about home care services. Some of the common hesitations include: Discomfort... Read More

Constructive Conversations: Understanding Isolation and Promoting Engagement

— by Felicia Juntunen, MA, CMC, Director of Care Management Continuing with our series on turning difficult topics in aging families into constructive conversations, this month we focus our attention on the problem of social isolation in older adults. Aging Life Care professionals have long recognized the profound impact of social isolation on the elderly- a reality... Read More

Constructive Conversations: Navigating Financial Discussions in Aging Families

— by Felicia Juntunen, MA, CMC, Director of Care Management   Money and mortality are topics often avoided until they become urgent, yet they are crucial conversations in aging families. Aging Life Care Professionals encourage proactive discussions about estate planning and financial management before challenges- like difficulties in bill-paying- arise.   The Risk of Financial Fraud Seniors... Read More

Constructive Conversations: Steering the Driving Discussion

— by Felicia Juntunen, MA, CMC, Director of Care Management When it comes to aging families, few topics are as challenging as discussing driving. For many, driving represents freedom, independence, and identity, making it an emotionally charged subject. Care managers often witness families grappling with how to approach this sensitive issue, whether to express concerns or to... Read More

Constructive Conversations: Discussing Declining Health

— by Felicia Juntunen, MA, CMC, Director of Care Management As families observe the declining health of their aging loved ones, they may wish to offer support, such as durable medical equipment or medication management. Unfortunately, these offers are sometimes met with skepticism or rejection, leading to frustration and communication breakdowns. Identifying barriers to understanding and seeking... Read More

Constructive Conversations: Let’s Talk about Estate & Financial Planning

— by Felicia Juntunen, MA, CMC, Director of Care Management Last month we introduced our newsletter series for the year: turning difficult topics in aging families into constructive conversations. Most people agree that talking about their estate and especially finances is one of the most difficult issues to broach. Our money and how we manage it is... Read More

Constructive Conversations in Aging Families

— by Felicia Juntunen, MA, CMC, Director of Care Management Welcome to the new year! Our 2025 newsletter series will focus on turning difficult topics in aging families into constructive conversations. We’ll address issues like planning for the future, medication management, moving, and arranging in-home care- just to name a few – and we will share some... Read More

Wrapping up 2024

— by Jason Wu, Owner of Elder Care Management As I reflect on the past year, I am filled with gratitude for your unwavering trust, support, and collaboration. It is because of you — our clients, partners, and community — that Elder Care Management has been able to fulfill its mission of advocating for and supporting... Read More