Many families assume caregiving means doing everything themselves, it doesn't. Sometimes the right support looks like a trusted neighbor showing up.

In this episode, I sit down with Helen Burns from Naborforce to explore how neighborly support helps older adults stay independent, connected, and safe at home. We discuss how community-based assistance can ease the burden on family caregivers while improving quality of life for aging loved ones.

Whether you're caring for aging parents, noticing early signs they may need extra help, or simply planning ahead, this conversation offers practical guidance and reassurance that you don't have to navigate this alone.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

• The origin story of Naborforce and its mission
• How neighbors are recruited, screened, and vetted
• Services available to support older adults at home
• The critical role of social connection in preventing loneliness
• Signs it may be time to bring in additional support
• How adult children can access and coordinate help for their parents

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Neighbor Force and Its Mission
02:06 Understanding Neighbor Force's Services
04:29 The Origin Story of Neighbor Force
07:22 Becoming a Neighbor: Recruitment and Safety
10:01 Neighbor Force's Geographic Reach
12:04 The Role of Adult Children in Caregiving
17:04 Navigating Caregiving Responsibilities
19:52 Identifying Signs for Extra Support
19:58 Recognizing Signs for Extra Help
22:11 The Loneliness Epidemic
26:29 Understanding Available Resources
29:07 Navigating Aging Conversations
30:58 The Importance of Decluttering

Resources

Naborforce Official Website - https://naborforce.com

Guest Link

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/helen-burns-bb85b448/

© 2025-2026 Lisa M. Harper. All rights reserved. “Not Ready Yet: Curating Conversations for the Aging Journey” is a trademark of Lisa M. Harper.

In this insightful interview, Carly Ebenstein shares her expertise on long-term care insurance, clarifying common misconceptions, discussing optimal timing for purchasing coverage, and emphasizing the importance of planning ahead for aging and caregiving. This conversation provides practical advice for families to make informed decisions and start vital conversations about aging and care.

Key Takeaways

• Timing for long-term care insurance purchase
• Differences between Medicare, Medicaid, and long-term care insurance
• Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) and cognitive health in care needs
• Flexible benefits of hybrid long-term care policies
• Planning conversations and legal documents for aging
• How long-term care insurance can save your family from crisis

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Long-Term Care Insurance

01:43 Carly's Journey into Long-Term Care

03:59 Understanding Medicare vs. Long-Term Care

09:18 The Importance of Planning for Long-Term Care

10:29 When to Consider Long-Term Care Insurance

13:31 Protecting Options for the Future

16:45 The Role of Caregivers in Long-Term Care

19:03 Understanding Long-Term Care Insurance

20:27 The Importance of Home Care Options

21:27 Navigating Benefits and Payment Structures

24:37 The Role of Caregivers in Long-Term Care

25:14 Creating a Plan for Care

26:25 Resources and Educational Offerings

27:40 Challenging Assumptions About Long-Term Care

29:38 Starting the Conversation About Care Plans

Resources

Carly Ebenstein's Website

Long-Term Care Start Here Webinar

San Francisco Library Event

CJB Insurance Services YouTube Channel

Cost of Care Calculator

Printable Plan of Care Document

Carly Ebenstein's LinkedIn Profile

© 2025-2026 Lisa M. Harper. All rights reserved. “Not Ready Yet: Curating Conversations for the Aging Journey” is a trademark of Lisa M. Harper.

In this powerful and practical conversation, Dr. David Ajibade shares a hopeful, prevention-focused approach to brain health and aging. Rather than waiting for symptoms to appear, he encourages individuals and families to take early, proactive steps to support cognitive health through nutrition, lifestyle choices, and targeted medical testing.

Dr. David explains the deep connection between the brain and the rest of the body—highlighting how gut health, vitamin levels, hearing, and social engagement all play a role in maintaining cognitive function. He challenges common myths about aging and dementia, offering science-backed strategies that can help reduce risk and support long-term brain vitality.

Listeners will walk away with actionable guidance on the key tests to request from their doctor, the role of nutrient-dense foods like eggs and red meat, and why addressing issues such as hearing loss and vitamin deficiencies early can make a meaningful difference. Most importantly, this episode reinforces a message of hope: there are steps we can take today to protect brain health and age with intention.

Key Takeaways

• Brain health is deeply connected to overall body health—including nutrition, gut health, and hearing.
• Early testing for vitamin and metabolic levels can help identify risks before symptoms appear.
• Nutrient-dense foods and targeted supplementation may support cognitive function and reduce dementia risk.
• Social engagement, sunlight exposure, and physical activity are essential components of brain health.
• Prevention is possible—and individuals have more influence over their cognitive future than they may realize.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Brain Health and Aging
01:07 Dr. David's Journey into Brain Health
02:51 Understanding Brain Needs and Dementia
03:52 Preventing Dementia: Key Insights
07:50 Framework for Dementia Prevention
13:05 The Importance of Gut Health
17:22 Nutrition and the Laws of Life
19:27 The Nutritional Power of Red Meat
21:55 The Importance of Supplements
25:08 Understanding Nutraceuticals
27:39 The Impact of Hearing on Brain Health
31:06 Hope and Agency in Dementia Care

Resources
Dr. David Ajibade's Website - https://drdavidajibade.com
Brain and Body Foundation - https://brainandbodyfoundation.org

Guest Links
Website - https://drdavidajibade.com
Instagram - https://instagram.com/drdavidajibade
Facebook - https://facebook.com/drdavidajibade

© 2025-2026 Lisa M. Harper. All rights reserved. “Not Ready Yet: Curating Conversations for the Aging Journey” is a trademark of Lisa M. Harper.