Category: Education

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Personalized Solutions for Quality Homecare for Seniors (Ep. 27)

Personalized Solutions for Quality Homecare for Seniors (Ep. 27)

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Struggling to find the right homecare? 

Join Eric Blake and Danielle Bonilla on The Simply Retirement Podcast as they discuss Hallmark Homecare’s unique model that connects independent caregivers directly with families. This episode highlights how Danielle’s personal journey from teacher to entrepreneur was inspired by her grandmother’s needs, leading to significant innovations in caregiving. They explore how bypassing traditional agencies not only saves costs but also empowers families to find the perfect caregiver match, addressing particularly the challenges women face in caregiving roles.

Key Highlights:

  • Personal Journey to Caregiving: Danielle shares her personal motivation for founding Hallmark Home Care, driven by her own family’s caregiving challenges
  • Unique Business Model: An in-depth look at Hallmark’s model of connecting families directly with independent caregivers
  • Customized Care Plans: The importance of creating personalized care plans that cater to the specific needs of families and their loved ones
  • Specialized Care Capabilities: Hallmark’s ability to handle complex care scenarios, including skilled nursing tasks typically not offered by other agencies
  • Empowering Independence: Benefits of Hallmark’s approach for caregivers and families, allowing for flexible schedules and tailored care options
  • Client-Centered Recruitment Process: Insight into Hallmark’s thorough caregiver matching process, ensuring families receive the most suitable care
  • And much more!

Resources:

Connect with Eric Blake: 

Connect with Danielle Bonilla: 

About Danielle Bonilla: 

Danielle Bonilla is the co-founder of Hallmark Home Care. With a background in education, Danielle pivoted to home care after recognizing the gap in personalized care solutions for seniors. Her passion for enhancing the caregiving process and empowering caregivers has been central to Hallmark Home Care’s success.

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Navigating the Solo Aging Journey (Ep. 26)

Navigating the Solo Aging Journey (Ep. 26)

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Are you expecting to face the retirement journey on your own?

Join host Eric Blake and your solo aging guide, Carol Marak, as they tackle the unique challenges of aging without a support network. Discover practical strategies for maintaining independence and confidently navigating solo aging.

Carol shares her journey as a caregiver for her parents, which led her to create a comprehensive roadmap for solo aging. She covers ten key domains: health, housing, legal matters, finances, transportation, social connections, fun and engagement, life purpose, and faith/spirituality. Emphasizing self-assessment and early planning, Carol offers actionable advice for those aged 45 and above.

Key Highlights:

  • Understanding Solo Aging: Defining solo aging and its implications for different individuals
  • The Importance of Self-Assessment: Identifying current status and goals for effective retirement planning
  • Ten Key Domains: A detailed look at the areas crucial for aging independently and healthily
  • Proactive Planning: The benefits of early awareness and preparation for maintaining independence
  • Real-Life Example: How one couple overcame their fears and took actionable steps toward better health and social connections
  • Expert Guidance: Resources and tools available to help navigate the complexities of solo aging
  • And much more!

Resources:

Connect with Eric Blake: 

Connect with Carol Marak: 

About Carol Marak: 

Carol Marak is an authority on solo aging, offering valuable insights and tools through her website and book, “Solo and Smart.” Her personal caregiving experience and subsequent research provide a robust framework for individuals preparing to age independently.

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Navigating Healthcare in Your Golden Years (Ep. 25)

Navigating Healthcare in Your Golden Years (Ep. 25)

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How does care management transform the retirement experience?

Discover the intersection of healthcare and retirement planning in the latest episode of The Simply Retirement Podcast. Host Eric Blake welcomes Pamela Farris, founder of Harmony Care Management. They explore the vital role of care management in retirement, offering invaluable insights for retirees, particularly women facing solo aging, healthcare challenges, or those in need of holistic care solutions.

With her extensive background in hospital medicine and entrepreneurship, Pamela Farris discusses transitioning to care management in response to the evolving healthcare landscape. She emphasizes the importance of a comprehensive approach to managing healthcare and financial needs, ensuring tailored care plans that respect each client’s unique situation and preferences.

Key Highlights:

  • Understanding Care Management: Explore the essential role of care management in retirement healthcare
  • Transitioning to Care Management: Pamela Farris recounts her shift from hospital medicine to the world of care management
  • Holistic Approach in Healthcare: A look at the critical integration of legal, financial, and healthcare planning
  • Patient Advocacy and Representation: The crucial need for advocacy in healthcare, especially for those aging alone
  • Navigating Healthcare Complexity: Insights into managing insurance, medical coding, and cost-reduction strategies
  • Personal Impact Stories: Engaging tales illustrating the transformative effects of care management on clients’ lives
  • Engaging with Harmony Care Management: Learn how to access their services and understand their extensive reach
  • And much more!

Resources:

Connect with Eric Blake: 

Connect with Pamela Farris: 

About Pamela Farris: 

Founder and Chief Care Manager of Harmony Care Management, Pamela Farris, has been practicing as a nurse since 1980, caring for patients and leading healthcare teams in various capacities. Pam has seen firsthand the need for plans of care based on individualized needs and preferences. Pam graduated from UT Southwestern and holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Dallas.

In Pam’s downtime, she is involved in a local non-profit to promote awareness for the needs of Seniors and enjoys spending time with her family.

Harmony Care Managers are experts in orchestrating harmony within healthcare. We have a dedicated team of leaders within the field, comprising nurses, licensed nursing home administrators, experts in medical billing, and more, to provide support in every way. From being a liaison and coordinating care to addressing individualized care, Harmony Care Management provides expert advocacy and support throughout the healthcare journey.

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Retiring, Unretiring, and Rediscovering Purpose with Kim Lee (Ep. 23)

Retiring, Unretiring, and Rediscovering Purpose with Kim Lee (Ep. 23)

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When we think of retirement, images of tranquil beach walks, leisurely lunches, and newfound hobbies often fill our daydreams. But what if the reality of retirement doesn’t align with the fantasy?

Eric Blake welcomes back Kim Lee, a former personal trainer, a retiree and now a personal trainer once more. Kim shares her transformative journey, offering a candid look at her decision to retire, relocate to Mexico, and then, quite unexpectedly, unretire back to her roots in personal training. Kim’s story isn’t just about retirement; it’s about purpose, passion, and the courage to pivot when life’s plans don’t bring the fulfillment expected.

Kim touches on: 

  • Why did Kim decide to “unretire” and return to personal training
  • How did cultural changes in Mexico affect Kim’s daily life and happiness
  • What emotional challenges did Kim encounter being away from loved ones and her fitness community
  • What advice does Kim give for those considering retirement, focusing on setting clear goals
  • And more

Resources:

Connect with Eric Blake: 

Connect with our Guest: 

About our Guest: 

Kim Lee, a dedicated Certified Personal Trainer for the past 8 years, is currently operating as an Independent Contractor at the Hidden Gym nestled in Allen, Texas. Alongside her professional pursuits, she cherishes her role as a loving wife and mother to two wonderful grown children. Her fervor for promoting both physical and mental health is unmistakable and deeply embedded in her work. She firmly believes in the power of small, consistent steps, emphasizing that they collectively pave the way for monumental change.

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How to Secure Your Legacy (Ep. 22)

How to Secure Your Legacy (Ep. 22)

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Do you know the difference between a will and a living trust?

Worried about protecting your assets after you’re gone?

Dive into estate planning essentials on The Simply Retirement Podcast with host Eric Blake. He brings on Susan Barnett from Haiman Hogue, offering valuable advice especially for single women, widows, and divorcees aiming to protect their financial future.

With over twenty years in law, Susan Barnett clarifies the choice between wills and living trusts, emphasizing the need for estate planning for life’s unforeseen events, and underscoring the crucial role of a financial power of attorney.

Key Highlights:

  • Estate Planning Explored: Unpack the necessity of comprehensive estate planning
  • Living Trusts Made Clear: Susan Barnett sheds light on living trusts as adaptable and secure asset management tools
  • Roles Defined in Living Trusts: Understand the critical roles and their impact on maintaining control over your assets
  • Benefits of Dodging Probate: Discover how living trusts can protect your privacy and avoid the complications of the probate process
  • Limitations of Simple Wills: Learn about the potential risks associated with basic wills and how they may expose you to fraud
  • Importance of Document Updates: A compelling example emphasizing the need to keep your estate documents up-to-date
  • And much more!

Resources:

Connect with Eric Blake: 

Connect with Susan Barnett: 

About Haiman Hogue:

Haiman Hogue is a Faith-Based Estate and Family Protection Planning and Elder Law Firm. Our law firm is designed on the foundational belief that we are “FAITHFULLY SERVING GOD, OUR CLIENTS, AND OUR COMMUNITY” in everything we do. The Lord gives us the clients He wants us to help and the income He wants us to make, so our focus is to use our unique God-given talents and abilities to help and serve others. Our attorneys and staff are actively involved in community outreach. In addition, we offer the public free educational events each year and are always willing to provide a guest speaker for professional organizations and civic groups.

About Susan Barnett: 

Susan has been an attorney since 1989. She graduated from Baylor Law School and immediately joined the Collin County DA’s office.

Her career as a prosecutor spanned almost 10 years until her twin girls were born in 1998. At that time, she and her husband, Scott, determined that it was important that Susan stay home with her daughters. For sixteen years, she kept a small practice out of her home and enjoyed being a wife to Scott and mom to her three girls. During that time, she also spent a year working for President George W. Bush in the White House and serving for five years as Director of Kids Ministry at Willow Bend Church in Plano. Her children are now grown, and two sons-in-love have been added to the family. Her newest role is ‘Mimi’, and she is thrilled!

Since June 2014, Susan has focused her practice on estate planning and elder law. She currently leads Haiman Hogue’s Estate Administration Team and guides her clients through the difficult days and months after a loved one has passed. She also listens with compassion and understanding as she assists her clients in their own estate planning. She desires to honor Christ in the way she serves her clients.

Being part of the Haiman Hogue family is a good fit for Susan. She believes that God has brought her to a Firm that values her, not only as an attorney but as a follower of Christ. Haiman Hogue is a place that allows her to continue to serve God and her family while she devotedly takes care of the firm’s clients.

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Navigating Senior Living Decisions with Joyce Logan (Ep. 21)

Navigating Senior Living Decisions with Joyce Logan (Ep. 21)

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Confused about senior living choices? 

Explore the complexities of retirement housing in this insightful episode of The Simply Retirement Podcast. Host Eric Blake, a staunch advocate for women’s financial independence in retirement, invites Joyce Logan, Certified Senior Living Advisor. They discuss the challenges and solutions to finding the right retirement housing, combining Joyce’s personal experiences and professional expertise. 

This episode is an essential guide for anyone navigating the senior housing landscape.

Key Highlights:

  • Ruby Care’s Mission: A unique blend of professional expertise and personal empathy
  • Local vs. National Advisors: The distinct advantages of choosing local senior housing advisors
  • Navigating the Housing Landscape: Joyce’s tips for finding the right senior housing
  • Customized Guidance from Ruby Care: Personalized, free assistance tailored to each client’s needs
  • The Importance of Early Planning: Why starting your senior housing search early matters
  • Selecting the Right Advisor: What to look for in a senior living advisor’s qualifications
  • Personal Stories, Deep Connections: Joyce’s heartfelt client experiences
  • And much more!

Resources:

Connect with Eric Blake: 

Connect with Joyce Logan: 

About Joyce Logan: 

Joyce Logan has spent most of her life in Texas but was originally born and raised in Ohio. Her heartfelt compassion for others began at a young age. This was made evident when she earned a BS degree at The Ohio State University and began her career in Social Work.

Joyce spent several years in Business Development before Ruby Care became her vision, which was inspired during the time she spent caring for her mother-in-law Ruby and emotional support long distance for her mother, beginning in 2011. Now, she enjoys helping seniors and their families navigate the complicated choices they face when deciding their future living plans. She currently is a Certified Senior Living Advisor (CSA), Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP) as well as a Board Member of DFW chapter of the National Placement Referral Alliance (NPRA).

With great compassion and love for people, Joyce never stops serving. She is actively involved in her community, including AWARE, the Alzheimer’s Association, Women’s Auxiliary to Children’s Medical Center, Junior League of Collin County, and now serving as a board member of the Dallas Area Parkinson Society.

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Caregiving: Strategies and Resources for Women with Lili Udell Fiore (Ep. 20)

Caregiving: Strategies and Resources for Women with Lili Udell Fiore (Ep. 20)

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Are you prepared for the emotional and practical realities of caregiving?

Join us for an enlightening episode of The Simply Retirement Podcast, where host Eric Blake dives into the world of caregiving, a role predominantly shouldered by women. Joined by Lili Udell Fiore, author, and founder of Much Love Lili, they explore the unique challenges and effective strategies in caregiving, especially in the context of retirement planning for women.

Key Highlights:

  • Empowering Women Caregivers: Lili sheds light on women’s pivotal role in caregiving, backed by her own rich experiences and professional insights
  • Journey and Expertise: Drawing from her personal story and her father’s influence, Lili provides relatable guidance and support
  • Emotional Balance and Practical Tips: Learn how to manage emotional well-being alongside the practical demands of caregiving
  • Planning Ahead: Lili stresses the importance of proactive planning, from legal considerations to understanding family health history
  • Everyday Caregiving Strategies: Discover practical tips following the Four Agreements principles, preparing for daily caregiving challenges
  • Resource Treasure Trove: The discussion also features Lili’s upcoming book and her website, offering invaluable tools for caregivers
  • And much more!

Resources:

Connect with Eric Blake: 

Connect with Lili Udell Fiore: 

About Lili Udell Fiore: 

In her 40s, Lili found herself in the difficult situation that occurs in many people’s lives. Dealing with aging family members, raising kids, managing her career, her marriage, her busy husband, and being involved in all of the activities for her daughter and stepsons that she could fit in. Suddenly, she got a call that her beloved Aunt, who lived many states away, was not well. Faced with managing her Aunt’s care from afar in between in-person visits, Lili spoke to many professional people about how to manage and handle everything in her aunt’s life until she got better. Everyone had their own opinion, and many also had their own agendas that had nothing to do with what was best for her Aunt. Eventually, Lili found her way and then was also faced with her aging parents as well. 

Lili’s guidance business – Much Love Lili and Lili’s Caregiver’s Guide resource book (coming before the end of the year) are the sum of all the lessons learned and all the wisdom gained from all the missteps. It also includes a lot of knowledge on death and dying that Lili gained from her father, Rev. Udell, who was one of the early teachers of death and dying in the state of Vermont back in the 1970s. Lili got her certification as an End of Life Doula from the program at the University of Vermont to solidify everything she had learned from her experience as a caregiver and the wisdom from her dad. Lili wrote this book to be the resource she couldn’t find when her world was imploding and hopes that it helps you in your journey as a Caregiver or as someone who wants to know more about caregiving or creating a good death for their Loved Ones. 

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Navigating Social Security and Retirement Planning for Caregivers (Ep. 19)

Navigating Social Security and Retirement Planning for Caregivers (Ep. 19)

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Are you a caregiver (or will be) with concerns about your financial future? 

In a compelling episode of The Simply Retirement Podcast, host Eric Blake turns the spotlight on women’s unique retirement planning needs, especially for those who are serving as a caregiver or very likely will be one day. Caregivers often face specific challenges that can drastically alter their financial future. As a seasoned financial professional specializing in retirement planning, Eric explores the specific challenges women encounter when taking on the honorable role of caregiver for parents, family, or close friends. This interview comes from a special Virtual Caregivers Conference hosted by Jeannie Dougherty, certified money coach. The conference was a passion project for Jeannie designed to support both caregivers and their families and was inspired by Jeannie’s 11 years serving as a caregiver for her parents, who both suffered from Alzheimer’s. 

Key Insights:

  • Savvy Social Security Planning: Learn the importance of understanding Social Security, highlighting nuances in eligibility for various benefits
  • Case Study Insight: Eric presents a poignant case study of a widow facing financial difficulties, emphasizing the need for personalized financial planning
  • Navigating Early Retirement: Explore the implications of early retirement decisions on Social Security and health insurance
  • The Emotional Factor: Recognize the significant emotional stress caregivers endure, underlining the crucial role of professional financial advice
  • Simply Retirement Roadmap: Eric introduces a structured planning process for comprehensive retirement planning
  • Social Security for Divorcees: Clarify eligibility requirements for ex-spouse benefits and potential Social Security policy changes
  • Full Retirement Age and Work: Highlight the importance of understanding full retirement age and its implications on benefits
  • And much more!

Resources:

Connect with Eric Blake: 

Connect with Jeannie Doughtery: 

About Jeannie Doughtery: 

As a determined woman ready to positively impact the world, Jeannie Dougherty continues to help people from all walks of life. She is a coveted counselor, certified money coach, mental fitness coach, and speaker.

She graduated with a master’s degree in counseling from Ottawa University. She graduated from the prestigious Money Coaching Institute as a Certified Money Coach for Individuals, Couples, and Businesses. She’s passionate about her area of expertise, and Jeannie set forth on her quest to do great things.

Moreover, she works with businesses, individuals, and couples to help them find better ways to reach their goals. Over the years, her efforts have earned her a reputation among clients who are ever eager to vouch for her holistic services.

She graduated with a master’s degree in counseling from Ottawa University. She graduated from the prestigious Money Coaching Institute as a Certified Money Coach for Individuals, Couples, and Businesses. She is also a former Federal Retirement Readiness professional. She’s passionate about her area of specialty, and Jeannie set forth on her quest to do great things. Evidently, her perspective on life is simple, and she’s wholly gentle in her approach to the clients. That’s precisely why her customer base continues to grow today.

You see, both of her parents passed away from Alzheimer’s. She spent 11 years of her adult life being a caregiver, dealing with financial and healthcare decisions with her family and their providers.

Her parents’ financial journeys were different, as well as how their diseases manifested. Jeannie understands why lots of folks who become caregivers overnight have their money-handling skills and financial psychology shifts.

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Why You Need an Estate Plan With Chris Downs (Ep. 18)

Why You Need an Estate Plan With Chris Downs (Ep. 18)

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Are you prepared for the unexpected?

Confronting fears isn’t just a personal journey; it’s a critical aspect of financial and estate planning. This is the central theme of today’s discussion, where host Eric Blake, joined by esteemed estate planning attorney Christene “Chris” Downs, dive deep into the unique challenges and essential strategies needed for successful retirement and estate planning.

Key Highlights:

  • Untangling Estate Planning: Chris Downs simplifies complex estate planning concepts and emphasizes their importance
  • Estate Planning for All: Whether widowed, divorced, or single by choice, learn the critical role of estate planning in securing financial futures
  • Beyond the Will: Explore key aspects often overlooked in estate planning, such as incapacity planning and the power of decision-making delegation
  • Avoiding Unintended Consequences: Understand how an effective estate plan prevents scenarios like ex-spouses unintentionally remaining beneficiaries
  • Intentional Asset Distribution: Insights into the pitfalls of dying intestate and the value of deliberate asset allocation in accordance with one’s wishes
  • Powers of Attorney Explained: A deep dive into the significance of Statutory Durable and Medical Powers of Attorney in managing personal and health affairs
  • Living Wills and Beneficiary Designations: Clarifying the role of living wills and how to align beneficiary designations with your broader estate plan
  • And much more!

Resources:

Connect with Eric Blake: 

Connect with Chris (Christene) Downs: 

About Chris:

Chris’s motto is “Be Kind” & her motto defines how she practices law. 

Attorney Christene “Chris” Krupa Downs is an attorney at Krupa Downs Law, PLLC in Plano, Texas. Chris focuses her practice on wills, trusts, advance directives, estate planning, guardianships, and probate. She has 13 years of legal experience handling estate planning, probate & guardianship legal matters for clients in Allen, Frisco, McKinney, Plano and throughout Collin, Dallas, and Denton counties. 

In addition to her practice, Chris writes and lectures for local and state bar associations, and at legal seminars. She is a member of various professional organizations, including the Collin County Bar Association, the Dallas Bar Association, and the Texas Bar College. She is also active in the State Bar of Texas and served on the Computer and Technology Section Council.

As part of giving back to the Texas community, Chris serves on the board of the Wellness Center for Older Adults, an organization addressing the needs and concerns of Collin County’s older adult population and is treasurer of the Women’s Auxiliary to Plano Children’s Medical Center. She also serves on the board of the Junior League of Collin County as Community Strategic Director and is a former Treasurer and Executive Vice President of the organization. In 2022, Chris was recognized with the Athena Award by the Plano Chamber of Commerce and the Community Service by a Woman Lawyer award by the Collin County Women Lawyers Association.

Chris lives in Plano with her husband, David Downs.

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