Hi, I’m Amy. I’m so grateful you found this site. The Aging Advocate Podcast and idea of organizing A.D.V.O.C.A.T.E resources comes from a personal mission to share what I experienced and learned during a long period of my life advocating for my parents. They were the best! This project is a labor of love and a tribute to my parents, Frank and Carolyn. I want to help anyone who is struggling trying to figure things out.

My life changed dramatically in 2012 when we learned that my mom’s condition was terminal. She was only 68 years old. I lived 200 miles away, had a grade school aged kiddo, and was doing great things in my career. It’s so cliché, yet so true. Health and wealth can change quickly. Who wants to pause and talk about future planning (health care, finances and property, etc.) with your aging parents when they are in good health or a health decline. Most aging parents won’t want to talk to you about it. It’s uncomfortable and it’s none of your business (insert uncomfortable laugh). I hope my stories and tips encourage you to have believe tough conversations before a crisis.

My mom passed away on Valentine’s Day 2013. My dad passed away May 2021 during the pandemic. I navigated the journey with each of them respectively the best I could with what I knew at the time while balancing family dynamics, my marriage, motherhood, and my career.  I was in my 40s, dealing with a lot more than my friends with parents the same age. Behind the scenes of my life and career I was dealing long distance with doctors, medications, finances, care options, falls, dementia diagnosis, tax audit, selling the family home, kidney failure, and most devasting, finding out my parent’s life savings was defrauded by someone they trusted for over 20 years. I went through a few layoffs and new jobs during this time as well. It’s almost like I’m just now recovering, several years later. I’m also happy to share that my relationship with my sister is even stronger. I’m so grateful to my husband, sister, and loving family and friends who stood by us, prayed for us and held our hand during the hard times.

I hope my stories, guests and resources bring you hope and encouragement. You are not alone! You can let the other sibling do it all or disengage because it’s too hard to handle. These challenges bring out raw emotion and can distance the strongest of relationships. I believe there is nothing more dutiful or righteous than advocating for someone you love who cannot fully do it for themselves. I’m not an expert on any of this. There are lots of experts in so many areas you might need help understanding or navigating. All I can say is that I’ve been through a storm. I can offer you an umbrella of hope and resources.

I’m so glad you are here! Here’s what you can find:  

1.      A.D.V.O.C.A.T.E tips and resources.

2.      Podcast episodes on specific topics.

3.      Book Me to speak or facilitate a workshop with your group.

Click for a FREE download, In Case of Emergency sheet, a very important summary your aging parents should have in their home.