Aging at Home Strategies with Elderwerks

Lisa [: 00:00:00

Listeners, thank you for joining Aging in Full Bloom this morning with Lisa Stockdale. Well, it's morning for me. I don't know what it is for you wherever you are. That's the beauty of a podcast. Right? We are finishing up our Aging at Home series. We've been doing this over the last, gosh, I don't even know, ten, twelve weeks. And we are going to close with some aging at home strategies. I have a very special guest on the line with me, Deana.

Lisa [: 00:00:30

Deana, how are you today?

Deana Liss [: 00:00:32

I'm good. And, Lisa, thank you for allowing Elderwerks and myself to be part of the Aging in Full Bloom podcast.

Lisa [: 00:00:39

Oh my gosh.

Deana Liss [: 00:00:40

This is very exciting for us, and and it correlates with, Elderwerks' mission perfectly.

Lisa [: 00:00:47

Yes. And it's actually our pleasure to have you on. Deana is the executive director of a company, a nonprofit called Elderwerks. Let me spell it for you. I do that with home care as well, e l d e r w e r k s, in case you wanna look them up. And we'll be sure to give you contact information, you know, before it's all said and done here. But, Dina, tell me what is Elderwerks all about?

Deana Liss [: 00:01:17

So Elderwerks was founded thirteen years ago, and we provide complimentary services for older adults and seniors in Illinois, but we have expanded. We are, now helping people throughout The US. And last year, I think we had seven cases that were international. And our mission is to help provide complimentary assistance, aging counseling, advocacy, education, and all things aging to be able to help our older adults and seniors age the way they want and connect them with quality resources and the programs that are out there to help them age well at home. Or if they need to move into a different situation, we can help them navigate that as well.

Lisa [: 00:02:09

Okay. And I certainly understand how you're doing that in Illinois because you're well aware of the resources, that are available there. But how would you do that across the country?

Deana Liss [: 00:02:21

So across the country, we have strategic partners throughout many different states. In fact, Arizona is a state that there is, shortly a official elder works, chapter going to be out in that area. And so we just continue to grow as people reach out to us. Now if we have a family member that's in Illinois, but their loved one's in Florida, we have partners that can help us navigate within Florida. Or because our team has been doing this for so long, we know the resources in in those states as well.

Lisa [: 00:02:58

Gotcha. Well, that makes perfect sense. So, strategies for elders who want to age at home, which probably most do. That's what the research suggest. What would what would you offer up?

Deana Liss [: 00:03:14

So talking simple strategies, for just planning as you age, it's it's considering, you know, where you are right now, your age, your health, your current finances, what that looks like now, and what you envision in in the future. So, you know, assessing if you have long term care, your retirement accounts, your savings, looking at your current living situation, and making sure that it is a location you can age well in. As an example, we have a a family that, we're assisting right now. They're in a tri level home, and there isn't a good situation with steps. So that family has looked at how they can make that better because they do not wanna give up that home. So looking at different equipment to bring in. Right? A stair lift, some ramps, and they've done some modifications to the home. You wanna always make sure that everything is safe in that home too.

Deana Liss [: 00:04:26

Do you have a shower, or do you have a bathtub? Do you have a, accessible sink that could be handicap accessible if need be? Or as we age, you know, our joints don't like the low sitting, of of furniture or other things in the home, whether it's a chair or something in the bathroom, and looking to update and and make those changes. So, like, looking at the home to make it as safe and and planning for those changes. Right. And and when you do that, you're looking at the financial piece of it as well, and knowing what your budgeting looks like. As far as long term planning as well, looking at what you have legally and making sure that if you have your powers of attorney for property and powers of attorney for health care and that you have the designated individuals that will help you make those decisions and make sure they're fully aware that your plan is to age in your home, and and doing those checkups with that. Also working with your health care provider to make sure that you're doing your checkups as needed and staying as healthy as possible. Another strategy is really looking at how you're aging and aging in your house. If you are looking and you want to stay in your home, are you staying active in your home? Are you able to get through your home? Mhmm.

Deana Liss [: 00:06:04

When you have a family, home that you've been in for twenty plus years? Have you a collect acquired and collected a lot of things? Can you still get around in the home? Are there clear walk paths? Do you need to downsize some things in the home just to make it more aging friendly. Mhmm. Those are some of those things.

Lisa [: 00:06:29

And the keyword I hear in what you were saying is plan. Plan. Uh-huh. Plan. You have to plan. It has to be intentional. There has to be a level of honesty, with yourself and others, and you have to do some planning. And you started with home modifications or just Yeah.

Lisa [: 00:06:48

You know, making sure that the home itself is safe, and then you went into finances. Yes. So give us an idea because I know that one of the things that Elderwerks does is that you help place people if they need senior living options, whether that's, maybe assisted living or memory care or even, long term care. I don't I don't think that the average consumer has any idea how much those things cost. Can you give

Deana Liss [: 00:07:20

us Okay. Yes. As long as as long as as long as we promise not to give anybody some cell sack here.

Lisa [: 00:07:27

Yeah.

Deana Liss [: 00:07:28

The the cost of aging in The US, has has definitely gone up as people have aged. And if they're not planning well, a for a lot of people, a simple Social Security monthly payment isn't going to cover a lot of things, and that's why most people choose to age in their home. But as they're looking to age in a community, there are so many benefits to do that, from engagement to having meals there to not having to do housekeeping to having transportation. And so as you look at more of an independent living, you know, those price ranges are gonna be around 2,000, and then it starts going up. And depending on assisted livings, I mean, when you're looking at an assisted living, you might have something that's at start at 3,500, and then there's a care plan that would potentially add additional funds to that. But most people in assisted living are somewhere between 5,000 and 6. And then when you look at a memory care situation, you are probably closer to 8,000 a month If you are looking at skilled nursing and these are generalities. Sure.

Deana Liss [: 00:08:53

Sure. And they do change throughout different parts of the state of Illinois and different parts of the country. Mhmm. If you're looking at skilled nursing, it's minimally gonna be probably about $11,000 a month on up.

Lisa [: 00:09:09

Yeah. Yeah. These are big numbers. A month These are big You're talking a month, five. She started with the low end 2,000. That might be a dream in Ohio. There may be places in Ohio where that's possible in some of the rural areas, for independent living, but that's just basically an apartment where seniors live. You don't get anything special, to help you with your aging process.

Lisa [: 00:09:37

But the truth is, yeah, if you can't age at home, there is a big price tag associated with that. And if you I think it's fair to say you're gonna start at 5,000 a month minimum. So you have to know. Like, I I I'll never forget one of my mentors taught me the two things that seniors care about most. Am I gonna outlive my money and the health roller coaster, the ups and downs, that you encounter with aging. And those things have stuck with me, and I hear you mirroring that, in big ways here. So, suggestions for how to plan. Like, what professionals should they consult or should we consult?

Deana Liss [: 00:10:28

Yeah. As you as you age, you know, be honest about what the needs are. Right? And acknowledge you can't do everything potentially on your own. Right? And so you want to use a reliable source. ElderWorks is is a complimentary service, and we help people navigate this all of the time. There are other professionals out there that are care navigators, and, in some cases, that is the best option, and Elderwerks partners and refers to those on a regular, basis. I think being specific about what the need is. So if they're trying if you're trying to age well at home and you can look at that, this is what we're gonna do.

Deana Liss [: 00:11:18

And I do need some help, Whether you're bringing in an agency that can help with meal prep and some cleaning or some care needs, Elderwerks will help you find that care agency that is licensed and bonded and in good standing with the state to help doing that. Aging well at home as well is making sure your circle of individuals that are helping you, whether it is a spouse, a sibling, a child, a grandchild, making sure they know what you want and being clear about it. Mhmm. You know, express what you want and how, how you want to age. A lot of couples need to be very as they age, they need to be very honest with each other and their support system because traditionally, one becomes that caregiver. And caregiver, burnout is a real thing and, has health consequences. And so being able to have a support group or being able to get a resource and some downtime for that spouse that's caregiving is huge. Sometimes it's it's setting boundaries as we age, making sure you're not always the yes person every time somebody calls you.

Deana Liss [: 00:12:45

Make sure you're taking some time for yourself. Right?

Lisa [: 00:12:47

Yeah. Yeah. For sure. I mean, so much there's so much to what you just said. And and let me just let me just, reiterate one thing. Mhmm. You have to let people know what your wishes are before it's too late or before they find themselves in the decision making process. I cannot tell you how many times I've been in health care for a long time.

Lisa [: 00:13:11

I would be in the hospital of in the hallway of a hospital while a family is arguing over what mom or dad wants, and nobody has a clue because it's never been discussed. And these are hard they're hard discussions. I understand that. But it is part of the planning process, and it's not going to bring anything quicker than it's coming by getting prepared for it. So there's so much importance, in telling people what you want and what you need and what you need.

Deana Liss [: 00:13:48

And I think it's important to to remember that by asking for help or sharing your wishes doesn't relinquish your independence. It actually helps stay independent, and it's a sign of strength to ensure that you're going to age the way you want. And the options are there when you plan. If you don't plan and have to make choices in crisis, it is much different. And those options many, many times are lessened, which means then the path might not be the path you originally wanted.

Lisa [: 00:14:27

Right. Right. Okay. Now I see that you have a senior resource directory that you have developed for 2025 and 2026. And how would someone go about getting that? Is it digital? Is it,

Deana Liss [: 00:14:43

yeah. Okay. Yes. So we, this is a labor of love for our team. It takes us two years to put, the directory together. It does cover most of every resource in the state of Illinois, and then we have federal in there as well. And there are resources that are also Midwest. But this is digital on our website, and it's very simple to get to our website.

Deana Liss [: 00:15:12

It is simply our name, which is elderworksandthen.org. So it's elderwerks.org. And when you go on to our website, you can see many different things on our website. But if you go to the tab that says resources, it's a drop down. Mhmm. You will see on that drop down the Illinois senior resource directory. That is there. Also within the website are many, many different articles and videos on aging, which we have had people throughout the nation utilize those to sort of put their plan together, different resources on financial planning or long term care or, the different elder laws and what that looks like.

Deana Liss [: 00:16:11

There are resources on there to help them put that together.

Lisa [: 00:16:15

Yeah. And one thing that I will say that is different about elder works. First of all, if you're in Illinois, there's no reason in the world you'd use anybody else. Just go straight to these people. They they are gonna be very helpful. But, I mean, being in health care, so much of what you're talking about is familiar to me. But then when I actually look at your website, you are all over the place covering all kinds of topics. Like, I was just, looking at something on the opioid, addiction problem, in this country and and looking at it.

Lisa [: 00:16:48

I think it said looking at it through a generational lens and how it does affect everyone in the family. And sometimes, it's actually the seniors with the drug addiction. We don't often talk about that, but we well, we have recently on a podcast. But I don't want anyone to think that Elderwerks I'm not gonna name anybody else. But that it's that it's just a company that's interested in making referrals for senior living. It's it's way bigger. It I mean, you guys are just you you I should say you ladies are are covering it all.

Deana Liss [: 00:17:27

Lisa, I I appreciate that more than you know. It's about the relationship that we have with any person elder works. It is about understanding who they are as a person and whether it's the senior themselves reaching out or the adult children.

Lisa [: 00:17:46

Mhmm.

Deana Liss [: 00:17:47

It's understanding what they need, and it's not just a referral. It's making sure they have everything to help their loved one or help that senior age well. We also have just it's helping them navigate. And it's not we're not an agency that is going to ever sell someone's information. And when we do referrals, the families know that they will be connected with reliable, trustworthy agencies and that these referrals are vetted, and and that's how they get connected.

Lisa [: 00:18:30

Yeah.

Deana Liss [: 00:18:31

It's not click a button and 35 different companies are gonna ring in. We're very protective of our older adults, and that that also brings us to the scam education we've been doing in technology education because the scams have been going crazy.

Lisa [: 00:18:50

Oh my gosh.

Deana Liss [: 00:18:51

And trying and trying to age well at home. You know, if they get scammed, they can't stay at home because they've lost their life savings.

Lisa [: 00:18:59

Yeah. You lose all your resources. And and I I think that seniors are afraid to answer the phone these days, because there is so much going on. What what is your best advice for how to avoid these scams?

Deana Liss [: 00:19:14

You know, it it's trust your gut. Honestly, we, we've done presentation after presentation on it. And if somebody is creating so much urgency, hypothetically, they call and you answer the phone and they're creating urgency and you need to go to the bank and you need to do this right now, if they are pushing, it's a red flag. Mhmm. Social Security isn't gonna call you on the phone. Right. The driver's license bureau isn't going to call you on the phone.

Lisa [: 00:19:49

The IRS isn't gonna call you on the phone?

Deana Liss [: 00:19:53

Correct. And and this has been getting harder and harder. We just had a senior call and ask, you know, I think I got scammed. This is what they were asking me. And and we were able to talk them through the process and work with, one of the state's attorneys in that county and help them through that process, to figure things out. But they they are getting the scams are getting worse, and they're finding things on social media. And, AI is not being good for artificial intelligence, sorry, is is not being kind because they're able to now mimic voices and and do different things. But if it doesn't feel right, I it call your call your police department, call the state's attorney's office.

Deana Liss [: 00:20:52

Call the attorney general's office within your state. Mhmm. There are programs for that. Don't click on anything on your phone or your computer that you're not a % sure that it is right.

Lisa [: 00:21:05

Yes. Don't do it. Please don't do it. Mhmm. And and it's you know, I think it's the sense of obligation that older people have to make good on their debts and to be responsible. That's what that's how we get pulled in. But yeah. I mean, I like what you're saying.

Lisa [: 00:21:25

If it doesn't feel right and sometimes even if it does feel right, before you send any money, do some checking around. Make some phone calls. Get a second or third opinion, about whatever is going on. I mean, it's always gonna involve you either giving up personal information so they can steal your identity or sending them money, or signing something over to them that they no way belongs to them.

Deana Liss [: 00:21:52

Yeah. They shouldn't be dealing in crypto or gold bars. Mhmm. You shouldn't have to keep them on the phone while you go to the bank to withdraw things. They're the the the scams are just getting more and more comprehensive. It it's reach out. Call the police departments have social workers. There are organizations like Elderwerks, your, attorney general's offices.

Deana Liss [: 00:22:22

They have whole divisions on senior crime, and scams. So there are resources, and don't be afraid. I think that's the biggest thing. If you get contacted and you think you're in a scam, the best thing you can do is tell someone because you might save someone else, but you might also save yourself in that. So don't hide it, and everybody gets scammed. Yeah. Everybody.

Lisa [: 00:22:52

Mhmm. I know. I don't know how many times this week I've got a thing on my own cell phone telling me to pay a toll somewhere that I forgot to pay. Problem is I never been there. And then they figured out where I do live. So now they're saying that it was in Ohio on this, you know, freeway or that freeway. And they're very savvy. They're not just targeting you because you're an older adult, and we just have to be so careful, because the consequences can be very detrimental.

Lisa [: 00:23:25

They can wipe out your entire life savings. And when you say don't be afraid now I'm gonna say this. This is a blanket statement, and it may not always be true. But generally speaking, these scammers are not sitting in front of your home. Right? They're far removed from actually being able to do you any physical harm. So, now somebody's gonna prove me wrong. But that's a that that that is true, generally speaking, though.

Deana Liss [: 00:23:54

Yeah. And I think a lot of times, I there's the the grandchild scam where, you know, this is Billy. Billy is in jail. We need bond money for doing to get him out of jail. Don't listen to them. Call the rest of the family

Lisa [: 00:24:11

Yeah.

Deana Liss [: 00:24:12

And find out where he is. Don't do that over the phone. Don't go and buy, you know, a thousand dollars worth of gift cards and then give them the number over the phone. They're not gonna ever take the gift cards as bond. And it's it's it's disheartening to the degree of what is happening, but it is also heartening in a way that there are so many organizations out there that can help. You just need to ask for it.

Lisa [: 00:24:43

As you said, starting with your local police department, call them, and they can be a resource to direct you elsewhere if need be. But most of them do have task force set up just on this particular thing. So, something you might not think about. But if you do wanna age at home, you will have to avoid the scammers.

Deana Liss [: 00:25:03

Yeah. You will. And then aging at home takes takes small steps. Right? Look at what the house looks like. Look at look at how you want to age there and just make small steps. You know, if it's something that you're gonna give up lawn care, getting to a reliable agency that's gonna do lawn care and maybe, the snow plowing for you. Mhmm. But work with your family and and really be honest about what you need, identify those needs, and get those right resources to age well at home.

Lisa [: 00:25:35

Yeah. So discussions, planning, and being honest are all key points. So let me ask you this, Dina. I think I know the answer, but some of our our listeners may not. How do you do this all complimentary for free?

Deana Liss [: 00:25:52

So we, we, we write grants. We do fundraising. We have individuals that do donations. When we do print our directory, we have partners that do offset some of the cost by putting an ad in the directory. When we do an event, we have partners that help us by having a boost there, so that we can cover some of that cost. And then we have some partners that, work with us on, on a basis of being able to financially help. But 90 of everything Elderwerks does, we do not have a direct payment for coming into us. And it's it's hours of our teams working with families to help them navigate everything aging, our education team putting on consumer events.

Deana Liss [: 00:26:52

One of the other ways we do bring in some income as a non for profit is providing continuing education for nurses, social workers, all those professionals that work within the aging field, and there is a small fee when we're doing those. And so we do have that income. So we are we're trying to bring in income ourselves as a non for profit.

Lisa [: 00:27:19

Mhmm.

Deana Liss [: 00:27:19

But donations, legacy giving, and then working, with different grants, and different foundations.

Lisa [: 00:27:28

Okay. Thank you for asking that. Of course. Of course. So listeners, if you are in Illinois, Elderwerks is your friend. I can promise you that. And it could be, as you said, even in other states, they might be able to get access to you. Dina, what do you wanna leave our listeners with?

Deana Liss [: 00:27:47

Just you wanna age well. Let us help you, and there are resources out there to help you plan so you can make decisions, in a planning phase versus a crisis phase where if you're in crisis, you can't plan. It becomes a little bit more scattered. They certainly can reach out to Elderwerks at our web site, or they can reach us directly at (847) 462-0885. is all about advocating for our senior senior housing coordination, whether that's at home or moving and the education.

Lisa [: 00:28:28

Dina, thank you for everything that you and your team do to help make life better for older adults.

Deana Liss [: 00:28:35

Thank you, Lisa.

Lisa [: 00:28:36

You you are welcome. Listeners, till next time. May the road rise to meet you. May the wind be forever at your back.