What happens when caring for someone you love becomes a responsibility you never quite felt prepared for?

Caregiving often sneaks up on us. What begins with helping out can gradually turn into managing medical decisions, navigating healthcare systems, coordinating family responsibilities, and making difficult choices about what's best for someone we love. And somewhere along the way, we can lose sight of our own needs.

In this episode of Not Ready Yet™ Curating Conversations for the Aging Journey, I sit down with Dr. Karina Loyo, PhD in Health Promotion and Gerontology, also known as The Longevity Architect ™and a Senior Home Coach™, to discuss her new book, The Caregiver Conundrum: Finding Sanity in the Chaos: How to Avoid Caregiver Burnout, Make Confident Decisions, and Care for Yourself Without Guilt.

Drawing from her personal caregiving journey and professional expertise, Karina shares why preparation, communication, and self care are essential to navigating the complexities of caring for an aging loved one.

We talk about the emotional toll of caregiving, how longstanding family dynamics can complicate decisions, and why doing more isn't always the same as helping more. Karina also introduces her HEART Caregiving Method™, a framework for approaching caregiving with greater intention while respecting a loved one's dignity and maintaining your own well being.

In this episode, we explore:

• Karina's personal caregiving journey and what inspired her new book
• Why caregiving often sneaks up on families
• The HEART Caregiving Method™ and how it can guide your approach
• Managing family dynamics, communication, and caregiving responsibilities
• Balancing housing, finances, and day to day care needs
• Recognizing the signs of caregiver burnout and protecting your own well being
• Why doing too much can sometimes increase a loved one's dependence
• Capturing family stories, honoring wishes, and preserving a loved one's legacy

One of the most important reminders from this conversation is that you can love someone deeply without having to do everything yourself.

You don't have to wait until you're overwhelmed to start planning. Listen to the stories. Ask the questions. Talk about wishes and responsibilities while there's still time to make thoughtful decisions together.

Because caring for someone else shouldn't mean losing yourself in the process.

📖 About the book: The Caregiver Conundrum offers family caregivers guidance for navigating the emotional, physical, and practical demands of caring for an aging loved one, making confident decisions, and prioritizing self care without guilt.

Resources

For more of Dr. Loyo's resources: https://www.drkarina.com/products

To order the book on Amazon: The Caregiver Conundrum: Finding Sanity in the Chaos: How to Avoid Caregiver Burnout, Make Confident Decisions, and Care for Yourself Without Guilt

🎧 Listen to the full conversation and subscribe to Not Ready Yet™ Curating Conversations for the Aging Journey, where we speak the quiet parts out loud and help families move from avoidance to action, one conversation at a time.

#TheCaregiverConundrum #Caregiving #CaregiverBurnout #AgingParents #FamilyCaregivers #HealthyAging #NotReadyYet

To connect with Lisa visit www.notreadyyet.com

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

What happens when you become seriously ill or injured while you're far from home or need to get a loved one to a specialty hospital or closer to home.

Most of us don't think about medical air transport until we suddenly need it. In this episode of Not Ready Yet: Curating Conversations for the Aging Journey, Lisa Harper talks with Mark Chapman, Vice President of Business Development at Medway Air Ambulance, about what families should know when an unexpected or urgent medical situation requires transportation.

Mark explains how air ambulance services work, the difference between fixed-wing and rotor-wing transport, and the regulations and safety standards that guide these flights. They also talk about what goes into determining whether a patient is appropriate for air transport and how the process can work on a tight timeline.

The conversation also covers practical considerations for families traveling domestically or internationally, including travel insurance, medical documentation, risk assessment, and why understanding your options before you need them can make an unexpected situation easier to navigate.

In this episode, we explore:

• How air ambulance services fit into the healthcare system
• Fixed-wing vs. rotor-wing medical transport
• Air ambulance regulations and safety standards
• What factors may affect a patient's ability to travel by air
• Travel insurance and potential coverage for medical transport
• Planning for unexpected medical situations while traveling
• Considerations for international travel
• The importance of medical documentation and family involvement
• What families should know before urgent medical transport is needed

The goal isn't to expect the unexpected.

It's to understand your options before you need them.

Because when something changes quickly, having some knowledge ahead of time can help you and your family focus on the person who needs you rather than trying to figure everything out from scratch.

Resources

https://www.medwayair.com/

Medway Air Ambulance Brochure

🎧 Listen to the full conversation and subscribe to Not Ready Yet: Curating Conversations for the Aging Journey.

#AirAmbulance #MedicalTransport #TravelSafety #Caregiving #Aging #MedicalTransportation #NotReadyYet

To connect with Lisa visit www.notreadyyet.com

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

What happens when a family needs to make an important decision about an aging parent, but no one feels ready to have the conversation?

In this episode of Not Ready Yet, Michael Lewis, CFA, MBA, author of Getting Out of Your Own Way joins me to talk about the human side of caregiving and financial decision-making.

When emotions, stress, money, family dynamics, and an aging loved one’s wishes all collide, even simple decisions can become complicated. Michael explains why families often delay important conversations, how stress can influence the way we make decisions, and why waiting can sometimes leave families with fewer options.

We talk about:

• The emotional component of financial decisions during caregiving
• Why families delay conversations about aging
• How stress affects decision-making
• The importance of knowing your loved one’s wishes
• Building a team of professionals to help navigate complex decisions
• Why timing matters when options are available
• How to prepare for productive family meetings
• The importance of understanding the interdependencies of caregiving

One of the biggest takeaways? Start the conversation while you still have options.

A good family decision isn't simply about the financial outcome. It considers the person, the family, the legacy, and the practical realities involved.

If you are helping an aging parent, navigating caregiving, or wondering how to have some of these conversations before you're forced to, this conversation is for you.

About Michael Lewis:
Michael Lewis is an author and practitioner whose work focuses on decision reliability, governance under stress, and behavioral finance.

To connect with Lisa visit www.notreadyyet.com

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

What happens to all the stuff when it’s time to downsize, move, or settle an estate?

And perhaps more importantly: How do you know what’s actually worth selling?

In this episode of Not Ready Yet: Curating Conversations for the Aging Journey, Lisa Harper talks with Heather Dawson, a licensed auctioneer and expert in online estate sales, about a resource many families don’t know exists: online auctions.

Heather explains how online auctions can help families rehome belongings, reach a much larger pool of buyers, and sometimes uncover surprising value in things that might otherwise be donated or discarded.

But this conversation isn’t just about money. It’s about the emotional side of letting go.

We talk about the difference between emotional value and monetary value, why costume jewelry isn’t necessarily junk, what to do with collections, why you shouldn't automatically donate items before talking with a professional, and how online auctions can take some of the pressure out of the downsizing process.

Heather also walks Lisa through how the MaxSold process works, from photographing and listing items to bidding, the soft close, and pickup.

And there’s an important reminder woven throughout the conversation: rehoming can be more meaningful than simply trying to make money.

In this episode, we talk about:

• How online auctions can unlock hidden value in personal belongings
• Online auctions vs. traditional estate sales
• Why starting bids at $1 can work
• Emotional value vs. monetary value
• Why costume jewelry deserves a second look
• What makes a successful online auction
• What to do before donating unwanted belongings
• Selling collections without turning it into a second job
• How luxury items can be authenticated
• How MaxSold supports families through downsizing and estate sales
• The concept of thoughtfully rehoming belongings

If you’re downsizing, helping a parent downsize, settling an estate, or simply wondering what to do with decades of accumulated belongings, this conversation is worth a listen.

Because sometimes the hardest part isn't deciding what to do with the house. It's deciding what to do with everything inside it.

Resource

https://maxsold.com/

https://www.youtube.com/@MaxsoldLocalAuctions/videos

To connect with Lisa visit www.notreadyyet.com

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

Adaptive Clothing, Independence & Dignity: Rethinking What’s Possible with Emily Gerhardstein

What happens when caregiving opens your eyes to a problem that most people never think about?

For Emily Gerhardstein, it led to a whole new approach to clothing.

In this episode of Not Ready Yet: Curating Conversations for the Aging Journey, Emily shares the personal caregiving experience that inspired her to create LS Adaptive, an innovative adaptive clothing company focused on making dressing easier without sacrificing style, comfort, dignity, or independence.

We talk about why traditional adaptive clothing often falls short, and how LS Adaptive is rethinking the experience with discreet, durable magnetic fasteners designed to make getting dressed simpler for people living with mobility challenges.

But this conversation goes beyond clothing. We explore what happens when we design products around the person rather than the limitation, and why accessibility and universal design matter at every stage of aging and disability.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Emily’s personal caregiving journey and how it sparked her innovation
• Why traditional Velcro and zipper fasteners can be frustrating and limiting
• How LS Adaptive’s magnetic fasteners work and what makes them different
• The importance of combining style, function, comfort, and dignity
• How adaptive clothing can support confidence and independence
• The development of pants, upcoming dresses, and adaptive accessories
• Why simple, reliable design can make such a meaningful difference
• LS Adaptive’s partnerships with Charlotte nonprofits
• The importance of universal design and accessibility tools
• Emily’s vision for licensing, expansion, and continued community impact

A few takeaways from our conversation:

Adaptive clothing shouldn't look or feel like a compromise. The best designs blend style, function, dignity, and comfort while helping people maintain independence.

And sometimes, the most meaningful innovations aren't about adding more technology. They're about creating a simple solution to a problem that shouldn't have to be a problem in the first place.

As Emily says, “Clothing should be an afterthought, like slip-on shoes.”

Listen for these moments:

“Our fasteners are half the size and twice the force of industry standards.”

“Our magnets are designed to outlive us all.”

If you care for an aging parent, support someone living with a disability, work in senior services, or simply believe we can do a better job designing the world for all abilities, this conversation is for you.

Resources

https://www.lsadaptive.com/

To connect with Lisa visit www.notreadyyet.com

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

Moving a Loved One with Living Dementia: Planning for a Safer, Gentler Transition

A move is never just a move, especially when dementia is part of the picture.

In this episode of Not Ready Yet: Curating Conversations for the Aging Journey, Lisa Harper talks with Cindy Greer, a Certified Senior Move Manager® and Dementia Care expert, about what families need to know when relocating a loved one living with dementia.

Cindy shares practical guidance for navigating the emotional and logistical challenges of a dementia-related move, from knowing when it may be time to relocate to creating a familiar, comforting environment in a new home.

Because when dementia is involved, how you move matters just as much as where you move.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why a dementia-related move is different from a typical senior move
• How caregivers play an important role in planning and preparing for relocation
• Why early planning can make an eventual transition less traumatic
• Safety considerations, including wandering prevention
• Ways to create familiarity and comfort in a new environment
• When a Senior Move Manager® or Aging Life Care Manager can help
• Resources and support available to families navigating a transition
• Real-life examples of successful dementia relocations
• How proactive decision-making can help families avoid making choices in the middle of a crisis

For families facing dementia, there are rarely perfect answers. But there are ways to plan ahead, reduce stress, preserve dignity, and make a difficult transition a little gentler.

If you're helping a parent or loved one navigate dementia, this conversation is one you'll want to save and share.

Listen now and start the conversation before the move becomes an emergency.

Resources TransitionWithCare.net

Aging Life Care™ Manager
https://www.aginglifecare.org/

#DementiaCare #SeniorMoveManagement #Caregiving #AgingParents #SeniorLiving #Dementia #NotReadyYet

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

How Stress Sabotages Decisions | Michael Lewis on Caregiving, Family Dynamics & Planning Ahead

In this episode of Not Ready Yet: Curating Conversations for the Aging Journey, Lisa Harper sits down with Michael Lewis, Chief Behavioral Officer at Family Legacy Financial Solutions and author of Getting Out of Your Own Way, to explore how stress and emotions can quietly derail some of the most important decisions families face.

Michael explains why waiting until a crisis makes decision-making exponentially harder and shares practical strategies to help families prepare before they find themselves overwhelmed. Together, they discuss the behavioral side of caregiving, financial planning, legal documentation, caregiver agreements, Medicaid considerations, and how to create a plan that brings clarity instead of conflict.

Whether you're beginning to notice changes in your parents, already navigating caregiving responsibilities, or simply want to be prepared, this conversation offers actionable insights to help your family make better decisions with greater confidence.

In this episode you'll learn:
• How stress impacts judgment and decision-making during caregiving
• Why legal and financial planning should happen before a crisis
• The purpose and benefits of Family Caregiver Agreements
• Common emotional biases that influence family decisions
• Strategies for productive family conversations about aging
• Why preparation creates peace of mind for everyone involved

Chapters

00:00
Introduction to Behavioral Challenges in Aging

02:07
Recognizing Warning Signs in Family Dynamics

03:54
The Impact of Stress on Judgment and Decision-Making

05:51
Personal Story: A Family’s Caregiving Journey

07:58
Legal and Financial Planning Before a Crisis

09:55
The Role of Caregiver Agreements and Documentation

11:55
How Emotions Influence Financial Decisions

14:11
Strategies for Effective Family Communication

16:03
The Importance of Early Planning and Mapping

18:04
Legal Frameworks and Medicaid Considerations

20:01
Family Responsibility and Shared Decision-Making

22:01
Avoiding Common Pitfalls in Elder Care

23:58
The Consequences of Delaying Critical Decisions

26:13
Reflections on Aging and Family Legacy

28:04
Practical Steps for Families Starting the Conversation

30:02
The Power of Preparation and Documentation

31:49
Building a Support Network for Caregivers

34:12
When to Seek Professional Help

36:07
The Long-Term Impact of Caregiving Decisions

37:54
Final Thoughts: Clarity, Preparation, and Peace of Mind

Resources

Book on Amazon: Getting Out of Your Own Way: When Emotions and Pressure Lead to Costly Financial Consequences

Family Legacy Financial Solutions

Click here to schedule an appointment with Michael

To connect with Lisa visit www.notreadyyet.com

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

What if one simple change could reduce agitation, spark meaningful conversations, and help someone living with dementia feel more connected?

In this episode of Not Ready Yet: Curating Conversations for the Aging Journey, Lisa Harper sits down with Allyson Schrier, founder and CEO of Zinnia TV, to discuss how thoughtfully designed visual programming is transforming dementia care.

Inspired by her own experience caring for a loved one with dementia, Allyson created Zinnia TV after recognizing that traditional television often overwhelms people living with cognitive changes. Instead, Zinnia offers slow-paced, calming, dialogue-free content designed to engage, comfort, and reconnect individuals with their memories, interests, and identity.

Together, Lisa and Allyson explore why understanding the changing brain is one of the greatest gifts caregivers can give themselves and the people they love.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why Allyson created Zinnia TV from her own caregiving experience
• How visual content can reduce agitation and improve engagement
• The science behind changing visual perception in dementia
• Why traditional television can increase confusion and anxiety
• How personalized playlists create moments of connection
• Ways technology can support caregivers without replacing human interaction
• Practical strategies to simplify routines and daily activities
• Why preserving identity and purpose matters throughout the dementia journey

Whether you're caring for a parent, spouse, friend, or supporting families professionally, this conversation offers practical tools and a hopeful perspective on living well with dementia.

Memorable Quotes

"My driving force is my personal experience as a caregiver."

"Zinnia is not just a replacement for television."

"Visual perception changes increase fall risk in dementia."

Chapters

00:00 – Introduction to Lisa Harper and Allyson Schrier

00:26 – Allyson's personal caregiving journey

01:22 – The inspiration behind Zinnia TV

04:22 – What is Zinnia TV?

06:39 – Why traditional television doesn't work well for dementia

08:01 – Creating connection through visual media

12:14 – What the research shows

16:37 – Unlocking memories and preserving identity

22:00 – Building personalized playlists

24:41 – Visual perception changes and fall risks

30:51 – Simplifying daily routines

36:27 – Supporting emotional well-being

If this episode encourages you or someone you love, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with another caregiver or family navigating the aging journey.

Resources: Zinniatv.com

Contact ZinniaTV

Zinnia TV on YouTube

Keywords: Dementia, Alzheimer's, Dementia Care, Caregiving, Family Caregiver, Zinnia TV, Memory Care, Aging Parents, Dementia Support, Senior Care, Caregiver Resources, Aging Journey, Alzheimer's Support, Visual Communication

To learn more about Lisa Harper, visit notreadyyet.com

To connect with Lisa visit www.notreadyyet.com

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