Senior Living Choices: Planning Ahead With Confidence and Care

In this episode of The Senior Scoop, we welcome Peggy Renker and Katerina Marcellin, two of Santa Barbara’s most trusted senior living consultants, for an in-depth conversation about senior housing, care options, and proactive planning.

Together, they explain how families can navigate assisted living, memory care, six-bed residential homes, and continuing care retirement communities without waiting for an emergency. The conversation highlights the importance of education, early planning, and having multiple options in place to avoid rushed decisions during moments of crisis.

Peggy and Katerina also discuss the emotional side of senior transitions, including caregiver burnout, guilt, and resistance to change, and share compassionate guidance on how families can move from overwhelm to clarity while preserving dignity and choice.

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🏡 Key Topics Covered

00:00 Welcome and introduction to senior housing and care planning

03:55 Supporting families who are not yet ready for placement

07:28 Six-bed residential care homes and levels of hands-on support

10:01 Why proactive planning and multiple waiting lists matter

16:40 Aging at home vs residential care and cost considerations

22:08 Matching care environments to personality, needs, and lifestyle

32:40 Emotional challenges, caregiver burnout, and redefining love and support

41:10 Community resources and emotional support for caregivers

43:24 How senior living consultants are paid and why services are free

👥 Guest Information

Peggy Renker & Katerina Marcellin

🌐 www.sbslc.com

📍 18 West Micheltorena Street, Suite C

Santa Barbara, CA 93101

📞 [phone]