178. Openly Aging with Allison O'Shea

Summary "We've normalized crisis" was Allison O'Shea's first mic drop moment in this conversation where she inspires us to be educated consumers, learning our options, so we can be a strong Aging Ally to make the best choices for our family members! As a former Senior Living Executive Director and current Aging Advisor, Allison knows first hand how people can best be prepared when it comes to aging. She wants to ensure that you and your loved ones are set up for success by making sure families have the right information and creating a supportive space to have the hard conversations. Being proactive doesn't have to be intimidating. The Readiness Roadmap(TM) for what you need to know is outlined in her book, Openly Aging: 4 Pillars to Keep Control of Your Aging Journey⁠. In this conversation, we also explore expectation management and she shares with us her 4 Pillars of Aging - Social Support, Home, Social Engagement and Supportive Services. Visit Openly Aging to review your Preparedness Checklist and connect with Allison about how she can help your family! Takeaways Education is crucial for consumers to manage aging expectations. Aging is a unique journey for each individual and family. Proactive planning can help avoid crises in aging. Social engagement is vital for maintaining health and happiness as we age. Understanding financial options is essential for aging individuals. Open conversations about aging can reduce family tensions. Aging advisors play a key role in guiding families through the aging process. Support systems should be identified early in the aging journey. Denial about aging can lead to negative outcomes for families. The four pillars of aging include support systems, home, engagement, and supportive services. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Aging and Its Complexities 01:47 The Role of an Aging Advisor 04:06 Confronting Denial in Aging 05:47 Education as a Tool for Empowerment 07:44 Becoming an Aging Ally 10:24 Empowering Aging with Dignity 16:29 Understanding Unique Aging Journeys 22:29 The Four Pillars of Aging 27:42 Navigating Support Systems and Services 40:35 Fostering Open Conversations about Aging