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PODCAST

Desperately Seeking Senior Living

Valerie Lynn Borgman

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

education how to

All Episodes

46:49

EP 161 Program of All Inclusive Care for the Elderly...

Desperately Seeking Senior Living ·

2025/09/01

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

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01:27:15

EP 160 Missouri Senior Living & Care Options with...

Desperately Seeking Senior Living ·

2025/08/04

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

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37:36

EP 159 - Colorado Senior Living & Care with Guest Jan...

Desperately Seeking Senior Living ·

2025/07/07

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

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16:27

EP 158 The Senior Living Amenities Trap: Are You...

Desperately Seeking Senior Living ·

2025/06/02

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

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43:36

EP 157 Florida Senior Living & Care with Guest...

Desperately Seeking Senior Living ·

2025/05/05

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

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57:21

EP 156 Hospice, Dementia, Dying and Games to Spark...

Desperately Seeking Senior Living ·

2025/04/07

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

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24:38

EP 155 Why Do Memory Care Communities Have a Bad...

Desperately Seeking Senior Living ·

2025/03/03

Memory care can feel overwhelming—especially when you’ve heard horror stories or toured a community that didn’t feel right. But not all memory care communities are the same, and knowing what to look for can make all the difference. In this episode, I answer Jan’s question: Why do I hear so many bad things about memory care? I share real-life stories, common concerns, and most importantly—how to advocate for your loved one.We talk about creative care solutions, how to spot red flags, and why staff

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56:37

EP 154 Guest Hospice Nurse Penny on Hospice & Prayer,...

Desperately Seeking Senior Living ·

2025/02/03

I’m so excited to welcome Hospice Nurse Penny back to the show! In this episode we're talking about her new book Influencing Death: Reframing Dying for Better Living.In this episode, we discuss: 10:26 Advanced Planning 13:28 Cultural Traditions & Prayer 26:44 Misconceptions About Hospice 40:24 Hospice & Humor And so much more!!! Did you miss my previous interview with Penny? Check out EP 145 for more from Hospice Nurse Penny! Penny Hawkins Smith aka Hospice Nurse Penny is a nationally

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24:29

EP 153 Are Assisted Living and Dementia Care...

Desperately Seeking Senior Living ·

2025/01/06

All assisted living and dementia care communities have to be safe...right? In this episode, Valerie Lynn walks you through everything you need to know about evaluating safety in senior living—from essential physical features like fall prevention and security systems to medical care and emotional well-being because senior living communities are NOT created equal. With real-life stories and practical tips, you'll learn what questions to ask, what red flags to watch for, and how to trust your

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09:58

EP 152 Why Holidays are the Perfect Time to Talk...

Desperately Seeking Senior Living ·

2024/12/23

Many families share that being home for the holidays prompted siblings and other family members to finally see what they were seeing all along. Mom might need more help. The holidays bring families together, making it the ideal time to start conversations about senior living. In this episode, I share why any holiday is perfect for these discussions, practical tips for approaching the topic with care, and strategies for making it a collaborative effort. From recognizing the signs of needed support to

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31:12

EP 151 Family Talk with Guest Ginni Ryan: Hospice,...

Desperately Seeking Senior Living ·

2024/12/09

I was so excited to welcome back Ginni Ryan, who worked in the senior living industry has for over 25 years. She is currently with Revel Communities. We had such a great conversation in my previous episode, about making that move to an independent living community and how difficult the decision can be, but also all the benefits of making the move. It’s a really great episode so be sure to check it out if you haven’t already. This was one of those interviews that ended up being an interview inside an

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34:45

EP 150 Why Independent Living? With Guest Ginni Ryan

Desperately Seeking Senior Living ·

2024/11/25

I’m so excited to welcome Ginni Ryan, the Vice President of Operations for Revel Communities. At Revel Communities, Ginni is responsible for the operations of the entire portfolio of independent living communities. She has over 25 years of experience in senior living and over the course of her career, Ginni has developed a deep understanding of the needs and desires of the senior population. She uses her experience to design actionable, innovative strategies to help achieve not only company goals

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14:42

EP 149 Should I Give My Phone Number to the Senior...

Desperately Seeking Senior Living ·

2024/11/11

You’re struggling to manage caring for mom or dad. You’re juggling work, trying to manage the dwindling finances that are necessary to care for your aging parent or loved one and the pressure of it all is dizzying. The push to answer questions and make decisions you’re not ready to make can leave you feeling boxed into a corner. And why won’t the phone stop ringing!? In this episode, we're answering a simple question that can have big consequences. Should you give out your phone number when you

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19:03

EP 148 Dementia in Public, Caregiver Isolation &...

Desperately Seeking Senior Living ·

2024/10/28

Whether it’s a grocery store, a family gathering, or even the doctor’s office—when your mom doesn’t quite act like she used to or dad begins to get agitated, it’s difficult, it’s heartbreaking, and it can leave you not only feeling overwhelmed and anxious but also like maybe you should just stay home. In this episode, I'm outlining strategies for a successful outing and addressing the isolation that can come when staying home feels like the better option. No judgement here! Just ideas and tips for

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12:30

EP 147 Don't Wait for the Money to Run Out: Finances...

Desperately Seeking Senior Living ·

2024/10/14

In this episode, I tackle the financial challenges families face with senior care, stressing the importance of early planning to avoid future stress. With assisted living costs averaging $4,500 a month, many are blindsided by the expenses. Open conversations about finances and seeking help from financial advisors or elder law attorneys can make a significant difference. Remember, proactive planning not only provides peace of mind but also ensures your loved ones receive the care they deserve

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19:55

How Do I Convince my Mom to Leave Her Home?

Desperately Seeking Senior Living ·

2024/09/30

You KNOW your mom or dad isn't safe at home alone but they are refusing to leave their home so what are you supposed to do when you truly believe it’s what’s best? In this episode, we’re exploring one of the most difficult conversations many of us will face: convincing your mom or dad, to leave their home and transition to senior living.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

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49:59

EP 145 - Death is Not a Dirty Word! With Special...

Desperately Seeking Senior Living ·

2024/09/16

No one wants to talk about or even think about senior living and care and I think that goes double for death and dying. I’m so excited to welcome Penny Hawkins Smith to the show. She’s a nationally certified hospice & palliative care registered nurse with over 17 years of experience. You may know her as Hospice Nurse Penny on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram and Facebook where Penny is working to dispel the mysteries around dying and the stigma of hospice. In this episode we get real about Hospice and

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15:15

EP 144 Mom's Assisted Living Community Said They...

Desperately Seeking Senior Living ·

2024/09/02

You toured a few assisted living communities …you were very up front with all of them about the money situation. The community your mom chose said don’t worry! When your mom runs out of money, we’ll take Medicaid. No Problem!Until it was a BIG problem. I can’t believe how many times this has happened to my clients and families I’ve met over the years. How is it possible that so many families are having the same experience? In this episode we're exploring some of these stories, discussing why it

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12:55

EP 143 Is the Assisted Living Nurse Assessment a...

Desperately Seeking Senior Living ·

2024/08/19

Are they going to let my mom in? Is there anything that could come up that would make the community not take my dad? My mom is really nervous. She’s afraid she won’t pass the test.These are all statements I’ve heard from families when it comes to the assisted living nurse assessment. While the nurse assessment may be a requirement and yes there are lots of questions…is it a test? Could your loved one fail? Don't miss this episode! CLICK HERE for our DOABLE DOWNLOAD with FULL SHOW NOTES Follow

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09:42

EP 142 What's Love got to do with Assisted Living &...

Desperately Seeking Senior Living ·

2024/08/05

I’ve often heard families say that moving their mom or dad into assisted living or memory care kindof felt like dropping their kids off at daycare that first time. Why would it feel that way? The first time I dropped my son off at daycare is burned in my brain. He cried...I cried…it was terrible! I think one of the reasons moving your loved one into a senior living community feels like this is because most of the time this decision comes after you’ve taken on the roll of caregiver and you know first

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