Senior Living Straight Talk

In this heartfelt episode, Pam Fultz, Senior Community Relations Manager at Vi, sits down with Bernie and Mary Surchketter, residents of Vi at The Glen, to talk about their journey toward choosing a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC). They share how their years of research and thoughtful decision-making led them to Vi—and what they love most about their experience today.In this episode, they discuss:The Decision-Making Journey: How Bernie and Mary began their research 15 years before moving and why planning ahead made all the difference.Key Priorities in Their Search: The importance of healthcare access, nutrition, exercise opportunities, and resident happiness in choosing a CCRC.Why Vi Stood Out: How personal interactions, staff hospitality, and resident enthusiasm helped them make their final decision.The Value of Community and Sociability: Their positive experiences with fellow residents, engaging programming, and shared mealtimes.The Comfort of Care and Convenience: Onsite medical care, valet parking, and future healthcare options that bring peace of mind.Advice for Others: Why prospective residents shouldn’t wait too long to plan their transition to a life plan community.Memorable Quotes:"If you can't be happy here, you can't be happy anywhere.""We had very high expectations and they've been surpassed, which doesn't happen very often.""Nutrition, exercise, and sociability are the three—and the Vi is outstanding in all three.""Don't wait too long… We were lucky."Resources:Find out more about Vi Living at our Website: https://www.viliving.com/

Moving to a senior living community is a major transition that often involves downsizing—or as some prefer to call it, rightsizing. In this episode, Pam Fultz, Senior Community Relations Manager at Vi, speaks with Lucian Robinson of Silver Threads Senior Relocation Specialists about how to make the process as smooth and stress-free as possible.In this episode, they discuss:The Importance of Early Planning: Why starting the downsizing process months in advance leads to a more successful move.Setting Goals for Rightsizing: Determining what to keep, donate, or pass down to family members.Managing Emotional Attachments: Strategies to navigate the sentimental challenges of letting go of long-held possessions.Professional Guidance vs. DIY Approach: The benefits of hiring a senior move manager, especially when family members are not nearby.National Resources for Finding Help: How organizations like the National Association of Senior Move Managers can connect seniors with relocation experts.Memorable Quotes:"One thing that we emphasize to our clients—the earlier the plan, the better the plan.""Making good choices is critical… It isn't an easy process, but working collaboratively makes it manageable.""The reason that people hire us is because it is a daunting, overwhelming task… We handle everything for our clients.""Most of the children of our clientele are very successful in their own right… and the grandchildren? They don’t want any of it!"Resources:Learn more about Silver Threads Senior Relocation Specialists: https://www.silverthreadsseniorrelocation.com/Find out more about Vi Living at our Website: https://www.viliving.com/

Aging is not a period of decline—it’s a time of growth, reinvention, and discovery. In this episode, Pam Fultz, Senior Community Relations Manager at Vi, speaks with Dr. Joseph Casciani, founder of the Living to 100 Club. With more than 35 years of experience in aging and psychology, Dr. Casciani shares insights on embracing aging with a positive mindset and continuing to live a fulfilling and active life.In this episode, they discuss:Celebrating Wisdom and Sharing Knowledge: How seniors can reflect on their experiences, engage in intergenerational activities, and document their legacies.Lifelong Learning and New Hobbies: The benefits of taking on new challenges, learning new skills, and keeping the brain engaged.The Power of Social Connections: Why maintaining relationships and forging new ones can add years to life and improve overall well-being.Personal Reflection and Emotional Growth: Using mindfulness, gratitude, and letting go of past negativity to embrace the present.Redefining Purpose: Exploring ways to find meaning beyond past careers and roles to create a new self-definition in later years.Memorable Quotes:"We know that wisdom is a valuable asset and we all have wisdom in various shapes and forms.""Never too late, never too late—no matter where we are, whatever level we're at.""We need to think about, you know, trying out some new behaviors… stepping out of the comfort zone can make all the difference in terms of creating more energy in our lives.""Aging well is all about mindset. If we embrace positivity and resilience and curiosity, our senior years are much more rewarding and uplifting and surprising."Resources:Learn more about the Living to 100 Club: [Insert website link]Find out more about Vi Living at our Website: https://www.viliving.com/

The new year offers a fresh opportunity to prioritize wellness and aging gracefully. In this episode, Pam Fultz, Senior Community Relations Manager at Vi, hosts a discussion with Carrie Bloemers, the System Director of Wellness at Lee Health. Carrie shares her expertise on enhancing physical and mental well-being for seniors in 2025.In this episode, they discuss:Physical Activity as a Cornerstone of Healthy Aging: How regular movement improves strength, balance, and cognition while preventing falls and hospitalizations.Healthy Eating Habits: Practical tips for making nutritious food choices to manage chronic conditions and support overall well-being.Prioritizing Sleep: The vital role of restful sleep in maintaining immune health, metabolism, and cognitive function.Mental Wellness and Resiliency: Strategies like meditation, journaling, and social connectedness to foster emotional health and adaptability.Encouraging Lifelong Wellness: Inspiring seniors to take proactive steps toward improving their quality of life and energy levels, regardless of age.Memorable Quotes:"We've all heard the phrase, use it or lose it, right? And that is very imperative for our muscles, for our strength. Then those muscles in turn help us keep our balance and help us stay stable on our feet, help prevent things like falls and accidents in the future that keep us out of the hospital.""Food is a tool that we can use to help manage our health. It also can help us stay healthy. It can help manage those chronic conditions we may have, and it's a super important tool for just our overall well-being.""Sleep is really important for our cognition and memory as we age as well.""Your lifestyle is going to have an overall impact on how you feel, your energy levels, your quality of life, especially as you think about how you're going to spend your next five, 10 years, next couple decades."Resources:Learn more about wellness strategies from Lee Health at their website.Find out more about Vi Living at our Website: https://www.viliving.com/

Applying to a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) involves significant preparation and organization. In this episode, host Vivian Arias, Community Relations Manager at Vi, speaks with Diana Kahn, a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) and the “Financial Pharmacist,” about best practices for helping clients navigate this complex process. Drawing from decades of experience and personal insights, Diana shares actionable advice to ease the transition.In this episode, they discuss:Key Team Members for Preparation: The importance of creating a collaborative team of financial and legal advisors to guide the application process.Essential Documents: Gathering and organizing critical paperwork, such as tax returns, investment statements, real estate records, and trust agreements.Recovering Missing Assets: How to locate unclaimed 401(k) plans and other financial resources using tools like the Secure Act 2.0 database and missingmoney.com.Protecting Clients' Finances: Implementing safeguards such as credit locks, updating beneficiaries, and preparing for seamless account access.Digital and Physical Organization Tips: Recommendations for managing documents, including using estate planning kits, creating virtual folders, or self-made solutions like a “gray box.”Memorable Quotes:"When organizing assets for a CCRC application, assembling a strong advisory team is crucial to ensuring a smooth process for the client.""Missingmoney.com is an invaluable resource for finding forgotten financial assets. It’s a treasure hunt with potentially rewarding outcomes.""Ensuring credit security and assigning account access can protect aging clients from scams during their transition to a new living arrangement."Resources:Connect with Diana Kahn, the “Financial Pharmacist,” on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/diana-kahn-cfp%C2%AE-0ba50426Find out more about Vi Living at our Website: https://www.viliving.com/

As the year-end approaches, tax planning is top of mind for many seniors. In this episode, host Vivian Arias sits down with Nadia Keric, a Certified Financial Planner specializing in family wealth management, estate planning, and charitable giving strategies, to discuss the most impactful tax changes for seniors to consider before 2025.In this episode, they discuss:Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs): Key points for compliance, including how timing can maximize interest and minimize penalties.Charitable Giving from RMDs: How seniors with charitable interests can leverage RMDs for tax advantages.Tax Bracket Strategies: Managing various income sources to optimize tax brackets, potentially reducing tax liabilities.Tax Deductions in Life Plan Communities: Leveraging the initial and ongoing medical expense deductions available in Life Plan Communities.Estate Planning Changes: Important changes to the federal estate tax exemption and strategies for high-net-worth individuals ahead of 2025.Year-End Checklist: Essential actions for seniors to maximize tax benefits, including tracking medical expenses, charitable contributions, and reviewing capital gains implications.Memorable Quotes:"For clients with charitable intent, using RMDs to make direct donations can provide a significant tax advantage.""Transitioning to a Life Plan Community offers ongoing medical expense deductions, often overlooked but highly beneficial for tax savings.""Upcoming changes to the estate tax exemption and tax brackets mean now is the time to plan for a seamless transition into the post-2025 landscape."Resources:Find out more about Vi Living at our Website: https://www.viliving.com/

Choosing the right senior living community is a big decision, and knowing the financial stability of the community is essential! Today’s guest, Joe Chambers, the AVP of Sales for Vi, discusses how to determine the financial stability of a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC). Joe has more than 30 years of experience in the senior living industry, including 15 years with Vi in various roles.In this episode, they talk about:The importance of knowing occupancy rates when evaluating senior living communitiesHow to check the financial stability of different senior living optionsThe difference between for-profit and not-for-profit senior living communitiesKey questions to ask to ensure that a senior living community is financially stableThe impact of state regulations on the financial stability of senior living communitiesVi Living’s position as a debt-free CCRC and the benefits it provides to the residentsMemorable Quotes:“Occupancy is the main driver for the financial success of any senior living community because occupancy drives the monthly fees that pay the bills that provide the lifestyle that the residents have signed up for.”“You want to make sure that that community is going to be there for you when you need that care, right? So make sure that not only have they had a history of positive financials, but they’re also going to continue to have that.”“If you’re going to choose to live in a senior living community, that’s in theory for the rest of your life; you want to make sure that community is financially stable for the rest of your life.”“At Vi, we’re completely debt-free, so we’re a bit of an anomaly in the industry. We operate completely debt-free, and our residents do not pay debt service, which is a benefit.”Resources:Joe Chambers on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-chambers-1302817Find out more about Vi Living at our Website: https://www.viliving.com/

As you get older, estate planning becomes important. But let’s be honest – it can also be pretty daunting. That’s why it’s crucial to have the right team of professionals in your corner, guiding you through the process.  Today’s guest on the show is Ed Wollman, Estate Planning Attorney - Board Certified in Wills, Trusts & Estates by The Florida Bar and Founding Partner of Wollman, Gehrke & Associates, P.A. law firm. Pam sits down with Ed Wollman to discuss building a solid Trust Dream Team as part of your estate planning.In this episode, they talk about:Trust dream team – a group of professionals working together to help you with estate planningWho should be in the trust dream team – financial advisor, accountant, attorney, insurance agent, etcImportance of selecting the right team members through interviews and credential checksImportance of communication and regular group meetings among team membersChallenges and best practices around involving family members in the processImportance of clear communication and understanding between clients and advisorsMemorable Quotes:“We can’t all be experts in everything, so we need to surround ourselves with the experts that make us feel comfortable.”“One of the things that is pretty obvious is now that the Internet has become so prevalent. Everything’s faster, and everything is digital, and everything’s available. So everyone thinks you can get the answers online, but nothing beats personal touch.”“We don’t read each other’s minds. If you get a feeling like you’re being either ignored, or you need extra, or you’re being provided with too much information, just communicate. This is your money. This is your life. This is your family. Please communicate and let your team know how you feel about how things are going.”Resources:Edward E. Wollman | Naples Estate Planning Lawyer: https://www.probate-florida.com/our-firm/our-attorneys/edward-e-wollman/ Find out more about Vi Living at our Website: https://www.viliving.com/

The key to successful aging could be as simple as choosing the right retirement community. Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs) are more than just a place to retire – they offer a wealth of health benefits that can help seniors age more successfully. Tony Galvin, AVP of Living Well for Vi, discusses the health benefits of living at a CCRC – a supportive environment, improved physical and cognitive well-being, and a holistic approach to aging. In this episode, they talk about:The health benefits of living at a continuing care retirement community (CCRC)Living well philosophy and approach of Vi Living to support holistic wellness for residentsThe value of involving residents in the programming and activity choices to make experiences relevant and motivating for themThe role of healthy eating, cooking, and nutrition in supporting cognitive well-being and social interaction for aging seniorsProgramming and aging well trends that will become popular as baby boomers move into CCRCsThe need to provide evidence-based, research-driven wellness programmingMemorable Quotes:“Seniors that live in CRCs, in particular, those kind of like Vi that have robust health and wellness programming and initiatives, age more successfully than those that don’t.”“The relationship aspect of what it means to live at a life plan community, at a CCRC, is probably really the cornerstone of why there’s so much benefit.”Resources:Tony Galvan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tony-galvan-7674b02b/ Find out more about Vi Living at our Website: https://www.viliving.com/