As more Americans choose to age at home, home-based support has become essential — but also misunderstood. In this episode, we welcome entrepreneur and caregiving expert Stephen Limpe, founder of CompassCare and co-founder of the new AI caregiving platform WiseBird.

Stephen shares the hard-earned lessons he gained through his own medical crises and reveals the hidden complexities of home care: what it costs, what caregivers can and cannot legally do, how state rules vary, and why families need to plan long before care is needed.

Listen to Stephen—you'll come away with practical tools for evaluating agencies, understanding the real gaps in Medicare/Medicaid, and navigating the emotional and logistical challenges of supporting loved ones who wish to age in place.

Have a question you want Cathleen to explore on a future episode?
Send it to us at info@seniorityauthority.org — your question may be featured on the show.

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Palliative care isn’t “giving up”—it’s teaming up. Nurse practitioner Minnie Sabin explains how comfort, clarity, and support can begin from day one of a serious diagnosis—not just at the end. In this conversation, she demystifies palliative care, outlines who can benefit, and shares how early involvement can ease stress for both patients and families.

You'll learn how palliative teams coordinate with doctors, manage symptoms, and guide meaningful conversations about goals and values. Minnie also shares powerful real-world stories that highlight the difference this approach makes in quality of life and peace of mind.

• 0:00 - Intro
• 3:25 - What palliative care really is—and how it differs from hospice
• 7:10 - When to involve palliative care and what families can expect
• 10:45 - The interdisciplinary team: medicine, emotion, and spirit
• 14:20 - Common misconceptions and real patient stories
• 18:30 - How palliative care supports families and improves quality of life

If palliative care might help you or a loved one, start by asking your doctor for a referral. Visit The Conversation Project to explore free guides that help families talk about wishes and values before a crisis.

Stay connected with Seniority Authority on Facebook and Instagram for more practical, positive conversations about growing older with purpose.

I’ve worked with older adults for a long time, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: the hardest conversations are often the most necessary. We plan for weddings, retirements, even vacations—but not for how we want to be cared for when we can’t speak for ourselves.

That’s why I invited Kate DeBartolo, Senior Director at the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, to join me for a powerful, practical conversation about how to talk with your loved ones about your wishes for care through the end of life. Spoiler alert: it's not really about dying—it's about how you want to live.

🕰 Timestamps

0:00 – Why we avoid the conversation (and why we shouldn’t)

2:00 – What is The Conversation Project?

4:45 – Why it’s so hard to talk about this stuff

8:20 – Making it personal: creative ways to start the conversation

11:00 – Choosing your decision-maker (and making sure they know)

14:00 – “Just pull the plug” and other myths

18:00 – What really matters: values over medical procedures

22:00 – Free tools to help, including My Health Checklist

26:00 – How this work has changed Kate’s own family conversations

🔜 What’s Next

Want to be sure your voice is heard—no matter what happens? Head to theconversationproject.org and download their free guides. They’ll help you prepare, talk, and plan for the care you want, on your terms.

📬 Stay Connected

If this episode sparked something for you, send it to someone you love. The best time to talk is now. Subscribe and leave a review wherever you listen to podcasts, visit seniorityauthority.org, or reach out anytime at info@seniorityauthority.org.