What you and your spouse should know about Social Security if illness or loss changes your plans.   Most couples don’t talk about what happens to Social Security if one of them gets really sick or dies. It’s not something we bring up over dinner. But at some point, one of you will need to know. I’ve seen how overwhelming it can be. A spouse is dealing with grief, medical decisions, and legal paperwork. Then Social Security gets added to the mix. Forms, deadlines, confusing ru

Many people say Social Security feels like a puzzle they never learned to solve. The rules can seem complicated, the news can be alarming, and most of us only pay attention as retirement approaches. By then, it is easy to wish we had learned about it sooner. But Social Security is not meant to be confusing. Once you understand the basics, it becomes much easier to follow. When you know how it works, you can make choices with more confidence.  This guide walks through those pi

I talk about death for a living. I’ve had conversations with clients, colleagues, and guests on over a hundred podcast episodes. But my own parents? They won’t touch the topic. They’re in their 80s. They don’t have an advance directive. My mom once told me, “It’s too depressing,” and shut the conversation down. She’s even apologized for not listening to my podcast because it feels too close to home. And I get it. I really do. But I also know how important it is to talk about

For years, most people saw HIV as a death sentence. No one planned for what would happen if people lived. Now, decades later, thousands...

When Vincent Crisostomo was diagnosed with HIV in 1989, the doctor told him he likely wouldn’t live to see his 30th birthday. He was 28,...

Let’s be honest: getting older can be wonderful, but it comes with a few big  questions. One of the hardest?  Who will be there for me...

We don’t like to talk about death.  Most people avoid the subject entirely until life forces them to face it. But here’s the truth:...

Starting Your End-of-Life Plan When my dad sat down with a yellow legal pad and his unmistakable chicken scratch to write passwords,...

Elder abuse is a hidden crisis that affects millions of older adults each year, often silently unfolding in the very places they should...

The Power of Music in Aging and Memory Care Music holds a special place in all our lives. It can bring us joy, comfort, and even healing....

Deciding on senior living can be one of a family's most emotional and challenging choices. Whether you're unsure what senior living truly...

What does it mean to age well? Aging well is a subject of curiosity and worry. What does aging well imply? How do you know if you are...

Welcome to another episode of the Comforting Closure Podcast, hosted by Traci Arieli, end-of-life doula and founder of Comforting...

In this episode of Comforting Closure, host Traci Arieli talks with Marian Rouse, founder of Triad Health Advocates, about patient...