Before the Crisis

In this relaunch episode of Before the Crisis, Liz sits down with Stephanie Wilson, MS, Manager of Programs and Community Engagement for APDA Iowa, for a candid conversation about a topic many families, care teams, and senior communities avoid: sex, intimacy, and connection in later life.Stephanie brings her background in gerontology, neurology support, and Parkinson’s community programming into a wide-ranging discussion about how aging, Parkinson’s disease, dementia, medication changes, erectile dysfunction, caregiving, grief, and changing bodies can affect intimacy between partners. The conversation also explores APDA’s ParkinSex resource, a kit created to help people with Parkinson’s and their partners reconnect around physical and emotional intimacy.Liz and Stephanie talk openly about why older adults are often treated as if desire disappears with age, why that assumption is harmful, and why intimacy can include much more than intercourse. They discuss handholding, lying together, deep conversations, companionship, safe touch, and the emotional need to still feel wanted and connected.This episode also gets into the complicated questions families often do not know how to answer: What happens when one spouse has dementia? How do we think about consent, caregiving, and changing roles? What happens when one partner can no longer participate in intimacy the same way? And how can families start talking about these issues before they become a crisis?This is an honest, adult conversation for caregivers, adult children, senior living professionals, healthcare workers, and anyone who believes dignity does not end when bodies, relationships, or care needs change.Topics discussed include:Sex and intimacy in older adulthoodParkinson’s disease and relationship changesThe APDA ParkinSex kitDementia, consent, and caregivingMedication side effects and erectile changesSTIs and senior communitiesDating after lossFamily caregiving and dignityWhy sex education should not stop in middle schoolHow to make taboo conversations safer and less shame-filledDisclaimer: This episode is for educational and conversational purposes only and is not medical, legal, sex therapy, marriage counseling, or mental health advice. Listeners should speak with qualified professionals about their own medical, legal, relationship, or care-planning questions.

In this episode of The Golden Hour, Liz sits down with Golden Concier teammates Tasha Tucker and Jody Jones to talk about what real advocacy looks like in senior care and to officially welcome Jody to the team.They unpack the idea of “dignity of risk” and why seniors deserve the right to make their own choices, even when those choices feel uncomfortable to families or professionals. The three also get personal, sharing their career paths through hospitals, Medicaid, PACE programs, senior living, real estate, and why all of those roads led them to Golden Concier.You will hear how the team supports families who feel overwhelmed by decisions, paperwork, Medicaid, housing, and homes that are packed full of a lifetime of belongings. They talk about their unique balance of personalities including how Jody often plays the role of translator, why passion in advocacy can be misread as pushy, and how they protect seniors by being both gentle with clients and fierce in care meetings when needed.If you have ever wondered what a true senior advocate does behind the scenes or what makes Golden Concierge different, this conversation pulls back the curtain.In this episode you will hear about dignity of risk in aging, advocacy versus control and how the team stands with families, the introduction of Jody and her many years of Medicaid experience, the way Golden Concierge combines social work, Medicaid, and real estate in one place, the ethical use of an investor list to help with unsafe and overwhelmed homes, the emphasis on clear documentation and recorded communication, and the plan to add a fiduciary and accountant role for vulnerable seniors.

In this episode of The Golden Hour, host Liz Keller sits down with Dr. Malinda Shultice to have a brutally honest conversation about the realities of senior living — from the financial pressures and ethical gray areas to the burnout and moral decisions administrators face every day.Malinda shares her journey from “accidentally” joining senior living administration to becoming a passionate advocate for leadership reform and ethical care. Together, she and Liz pull back the curtain on the uncomfortable truths behind occupancy quotas, leadership training gaps, and the “we’ve always done it this way” mindset.You’ll walk away with a renewed understanding of what compassionate leadership really looks like — and why healing the senior living industry begins with transparency, courage, and doing the right thing, even when it’s hard.Topics Include:Malinda’s path from administrator-in-training to leadership coachThe ethical crisis in senior living and how to fix itThe dangerous link between census pressures and resident careHow to empower leaders to say “no” when it’s not the right fitWhy transparency always wins in the long runThe “hamster wheel of chaos” — and how to get off it

What does it really take to keep seniors safe, comfortable, and independent in their own homes?In this episode of The Golden Hour, Liz Keller sits down with Dave Williamson, Housing Services Manager for Polk County, to uncover the programs that make aging in place possible. From $5,000 grants for home modifications to statewide weatherization assistance and emergency repair funding, Dave shares practical solutions available to families right now.Together, they explore:How the Aging-in-Place Program helps seniors 62+ with essential modifications like grab bars, ramps, and tub cutouts.Why Weatherization Programs go beyond plastic on windows—think energy audits, blower door testing, and appliance safety checks.How the Emergency Home Repair Program provides a safety net for urgent needs like furnaces, water heaters, or collapsing sewer lines.Partnerships with organizations like EveryStep’s Healthy Homes Program, making a difference for children with asthma.What families in other counties can do to find out if similar programs exist in their communities.This episode is a must-listen for caregivers, seniors, and anyone working to ensure dignity and safety for older adults at home.👉 Resources mentioned:Polk County Public Works Housing Programs211 (United Way) for local referralsCommunity Action Agencies across Iowa🎧 Listen now to discover how these programs are changing lives one home at a time.

In this episode of The Golden Hour, Liz sits down with Jeff Raines, owner of Senior Helpers Des Moines. For more than a decade, Jeff and his team have walked alongside Iowa families, providing personalized in-home care that helps seniors live safely and independently.We talk about:Jeff’s journey into senior care and why he chose this pathThe unique assessments and tools Senior Helpers uses to keep clients safeThe realities of caregiving—both for families and professional staffHow community, compassion, and planning make all the difference in aging wellWhether you’re a caregiver, a family member, or simply curious about the future of senior care, this episode is packed with insight and practical wisdom.

In this illuminating episode, Liz Keller welcomes Molly Wuebker, occupational therapist, accessibility advocate, and founder of Uncurbed, to explore how universal and inclusive design can break barriers and build environments where everyone belongs.Key themes include:The evolution of Molly’s journey—from clinical OT to accessibility consultant and ADA liaison.How the Person–Environment–Occupation–Performance (PEOP) model drives meaningful design decisions.Why universal design isn’t just about compliance—it’s a pathway to equity, safety, and enjoyment for all.Real-world insights from Molly’s projects, including her work on accessibility in recreational, residential, and digital spaces.A deeper dive into co-design, human factors, and emerging assistive technology.The educator’s perspective: accessibility principles she’s taught at Drake University and beyond.Why you’ll want to listen:Gain practical framing tools for designers, caregivers, and educators.Learn how to exceed minimal standards in building, programs, and digital presence.Discover how inclusive design benefits communities at every stage of life—especially seniors aging in place.

In this episode of The Golden Hour, Liz Keller sits down with attorney Matthew Bollman of Pearson Bollman Law to talk about the legal and financial decisions that every family should prepare for as loved ones age. From creating a will or trust to navigating Medicaid and VA pension benefits, Matthew shares practical guidance and real-life stories from his work in estate planning and elder law.We discuss:Why starting the conversation early is criticalThe difference between wills, trusts, and probateHow to protect assets while planning for long-term careNavigating Medicaid rules and VA pension benefitsCommon mistakes families make—and how to avoid themWhether you’re a senior, an adult child, or a caregiver, this conversation will help you feel informed and empowered to make the right decisions for the future.