Debbie talks to eldercare expert Star Bradbury about some of the most important topics in her comprehensive new book, Successfully Navigating Your Parents’ Senior Years: Critical Information to Maximize Their Independence and Make Sure They Get the Care They Need (BenBella Books, March 21, 2023).

Soon after they spoke, Debbie’s 92-year-old mother died unexpectedly, making the conversation especially timely.

Star’s book is a compendium of how to plan and care for an elderly parent – or your own care many years down the road. She covers every topic you could think of including different types of assisted living and home care, assistive robots for seniors (yes, it’s a thing), living wills and advance directives, hospice and death doulas, cremation and green burials, and much more.

“Expect the unexpected” is part of her message. And In my family’s case, we were unprepared. We were stunned when our mom died. We had expected our dad to go first.

The book is the result of her 25 years of experience in senior healthcare and senior living and her answer to the overwhelming complexity  of options and situations when it comes to aging parents.

Star is also speaking to those of us in our 60s and 70s (and younger) who should be looking at planning for what she calls “post-retirement.”

Mentioned in this episode or useful:

• Star Bradbury’s website
• Facebook
• YouTube
• Successfully Navigating Your Parents’ Senior Years: Critical Information to Maximize Their Independence and Make Sure They Get the Care They Need by Star Bradbury (BenBella Books, 2023)
• The Conversation Project

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