Aging With Dignity

Exploring aging in place, downsizing, and senior care transitions in Canada with expert Matt Del Vecchio. We discuss home care costs, public vs private options, housing decisions, and practical guidance for families navigating aging and care planning.   Check out the Aging With Dignity website to learn more about this podcast, and to connect with us! https://agingwithdignity.podbean.com/   Download your Aging with Dignity Care Toolkit for this episode: https://shorturl.at/B2yIT   If you're interested in purchasing an "Aging with Dignity" workbook, you can contact me at: [email protected]

Educator and founder Andrew Karesa explores his personal dementia journey and how it led to building BlueBell Village and The Dementia Collective. We discuss purpose, dignity, and how lived experience can reshape dementia care and community support.   Check out the Aging With Dignity website to learn more about this podcast, and to connect with us! https://agingwithdignity.podbean.com/   Download your Aging with Dignity Care Toolkit for this episode: https://shorturl.at/NrPBz   If you're interested in purchasing an "Aging with Dignity" workbook, you can contact me at: [email protected]

Can aging in place be safer and more affordable than assisted living? Erica Sell shares practical strategies for home safety, accessibility, and planning ahead, helping families make informed decisions that protect independence, dignity, and quality of life.   Check out the Aging With Dignity website to learn more about this podcast, and to connect with us! https://agingwithdignity.podbean.com/   Download your Aging with Dignity Care Toolkit for this episode: https://shorturl.at/T7EOM   If you're interested in purchasing an "Aging with Dignity" workbook, you can contact me at: [email protected]

Can dementia be prevented? Research suggests many risk factors may be modifiable. Dr. Stéfanie Tremblay shares the latest science on brain health, lifestyle, social determinants, and what individuals and communities can do today to support healthier aging.   Check out the Aging With Dignity website to learn more about this podcast, and to connect with us! https://agingwithdignity.podbean.com/   Download your Aging with Dignity Care Toolkit for this episode: https://shorturl.at/WZoCs   If you're interested in purchasing an "Aging with Dignity" workbook, you can contact me at: [email protected]

What happens when aging plans fall apart? Litigation attorney Stewart Litvack shares lessons from real-world family disputes involving powers of attorney, capacity, estate planning, caregiving, and end-of-life decisions, and practical steps families can take to avoid preventable conflict.   Check out the Aging With Dignity website to learn more about this podcast, and to connect with us! https://agingwithdignity.podbean.com/   Download your Aging with Dignity Care Toolkit for this episode: https://shorturl.at/MEWsi   If you're interested in purchasing an "Aging with Dignity" workbook, you can contact me at: [email protected]

How do you care for someone you love while helping them continue to truly live? Colin Acheson shares his deeply personal journey caring for his wife through dementia, offering heartfelt lessons on love, resilience, dignity, adaptation, and knowing when it's time to seek additional support. Check out the Aging With Dignity website to learn more about this podcast, and to connect with us! https://agingwithdignity.podbean.com/ If you're interested in purchasing an "Aging with Dignity" workbook, you can contact me at: [email protected]

Celebrating one year of Aging With Dignity, this special anniversary episode reflects on a year of conversations, connections, and lessons about caregiving, aging, and dignity. Join Varsha Bhat as she shares highlights, gratitude, and the vision ahead.   Checkout the Aging With Dignity website to learn more about this podcast, and to connect with us! https://agingwithdignity.podbean.com/   If you're interested in purchasing an "Aging with Dignity" workbook, you can contact me at: [email protected]

Kevin lived a full and meaningful life with Down syndrome before developing Alzheimer's disease. His sister, Colleen Kelly, shares their family's caregiving journey, the importance of compassionate healthcare, and lessons that inspire families and professionals alike.   Checkout the Aging With Dignity website to learn more about this podcast, and to connect with us! https://agingwithdignity.podbean.com/   Download your Aging with Dignity Care Toolkit for this episode: https://shorturl.at/DcL2S

What does the future hold for Alzheimer's care? Julia Cappelli from the Memory Clinic explores earlier diagnosis, emerging treatments, clinical research, and what today's advances mean for older adults, caregivers, and families seeking answers, support, and hope.   Checkout the Aging With Dignity website to learn more about this podcast, and to connect with us! https://agingwithdignity.podbean.com/   Download your Aging with Dignity Care Toolkit for this episode: https://shorturl.at/AToOk

What happens when retirement plans meet the reality of needing care? In this episode, Raymond Lavine joins Aging With Dignity to discuss family conversations, care planning, financial preparedness, and practical steps that help protect dignity, choice, and peace of mind.   Checkout the Aging With Dignity website to learn more about this podcast, and to connect with us! https://agingwithdignity.podbean.com/   Download your Aging with Dignity Care Toolkit for this episode: https://shorturl.at/D1pON

In this powerful Season 4 opener, Claire Webster shares her insights on dementia education, caregiver burnout, and the urgent need for stronger community and institutional support for caregivers navigating the emotional realities of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.   Checkout the Aging With Dignity website to learn more about this podcast, and to connect with us! https://agingwithdignity.podbean.com/   Download your Aging with Dignity Care Toolkit for this episode: https://shorturl.at/S1nIS

In this Season 3 finale, we join the Alzheimer Society of Montreal Walk to hear powerful stories from families, caregivers, volunteers, and community leaders. A moving reminder of the hope, resilience, and connection that help us navigate the dementia journey together.   Checkout the Aging With Dignity website to learn more about this podcast, and to connect with us! https://agingwithdignity.podbean.com

Avi Parmar shares his journey as an only child navigating his mother’s illness and loss, while now caring for his father living with early dementia—revealing the evolving reality of grief, responsibility, and choosing to live fully within caregiving.   Checkout the Aging With Dignity website to learn more about this podcast, and to connect with us! https://agingwithdignity.podbean.com

Charlie Pechousek shares his caregiving journey supporting both parents as their needs evolve into separate living arrangements. A story of difficult decisions, cultural expectations, and carrying responsibility largely alone while balancing work, family dynamics, and identity.   Checkout the Aging With Dignity website to learn more about this podcast, and to connect with us! https://agingwithdignity.podbean.com

Three sisters share their family’s caregiving journey: supporting their mother through dementia until her passing, and now caring for their father in early stages. A story of love, loss, cultural expectations, and what it means to show up for family.   Checkout the Aging With Dignity website to learn more about this podcast, and to connect with us! https://agingwithdignity.podbean.com

Jerry Godinho shares his caregiving journey as an only child supporting aging parents from a distance—navigating dementia, cultural expectations, and loss. A deeply human story about duty, family, and what care looks like when you’re not nearby.   Checkout the Aging With Dignity website to learn more about this podcast, and to connect with us! https://agingwithdignity.podbean.com

Seventeen years, two young children, and a mother with dementia - Karine Saba shares her journey as a caregiver, the toll of burnout, and the lessons that inspired Care4giver. Healing, resilience, and self-care for caregivers.   Checkout the Aging With Dignity website to learn more about this podcast, and to connect with us! https://agingwithdignity.podbean.com

Caregiving is not one story. It’s many; shaped by family, culture, system gaps, and identity shifts. This episode offers a reflective entry point into upcoming caregiver journeys across Canada, revealing the unseen realities behind everyday care.

In this episode, Camille Isaacs Morell and Hope for Dementi’s founder Parsa Famili share how their personal caregiving journeys sparked a movement focused on prevention, advocacy, and system change - and what must happen next to better support families across Canada.   Download your Aging with Dignity Care Toolkit for this episode: https://tinyurl.com/ymxydzw3

Selling a longtime home later in life can be emotional and complex. Real estate broker Suzanne Larmour shares practical guidance on preparing for this transition, while her client joins us to share how she came to the decision to downsize and what it feels like to be at the very beginning of that journey. Download your Aging with Dignity Care Toolkit for this episode: https://tinyurl.com/55rcmcmz

Discover how Tamara Williams of Innergetic helps Older Adults and the sandwich generation “future-proof” their health. Learn low-impact, brain-boosting strategies for balance, mobility, neuroplasticity, and independence.   Checkout the Aging With Dignity website to learn more about this podcast, and to connect with us!https://agingwithdignity.podbean.com/ Download your Episode Care Toolkit here!

Join Dr. Rachel Goodman as she shares her personal journey supporting her parents - her mother with Alzheimer’s in Toronto and her father with Parkinson’s - alongside her work in dementia care and community support with Dor l’Dor.   Checkout the Aging With Dignity website to learn more about this podcast, and to connect with us!https://agingwithdignity.podbean.com/ Download your Episode Care Toolkit here!

Season 3 launches with purpose. With gratitude for legacy and community, we look ahead to weekly episodes on prevention, balance, caregiving, music therapy, and shared journeys — strengthening body, mind, and family across generations.   Checkout the Aging With Dignity website to learn more about this podcast, and to connect with us!https://agingwithdignity.podbean.com/

Caregivers asked. I answered. In this episode of Aging With Dignity, I respond to real questions from adult children and older adults navigating a host of medical conditions, family dynamics, and the emotional weight of care — with honesty, compassion, and lived experience.   Checkout the Aging With Dignity website to learn more about this podcast, and to connect with us!https://agingwithdignity.podbean.com/

A moving conversation with Naomi and Matt, creators of Big Stuff, on grief, marriage, and using comedy to survive loss. A tender exploration of death, love, and how laughter can coexist with deep sorrow.   Checkout the Aging With Dignity website to learn more about this podcast, and to connect with us!https://agingwithdignity.podbean.com/ Download your Episode Care Toolkit here!

Women are disproportionately affected by Alzheimer’s and mental health conditions, yet often overlooked in research and care. Neuroscientist Dr. Antonella Santuccione Chadha explains why women’s brains age differently and what caregivers and families need to know now.   Checkout the Aging With Dignity website to learn more about this podcast, and to connect with us!https://agingwithdignity.podbean.com/ Download your Episode Care Toolkit here!

As our population ages, how do we design care that truly supports older adults and caregivers? In this episode, Dr. Julia Chabot explores innovation, system navigation, caregiver inclusion, and why geriatric care must function as a connected continuum.   Checkout the Aging With Dignity website to learn more about this podcast, and to connect with us! https://agingwithdignity.podbean.com/ Download your Episode Care Toolkit here!

We close Alzheimer’s Month by reflecting on dementia, caregiving, and community - through January’s guests and my mother’s rare corticobasal degeneration. If you’re walking this road, you’re not alone. Plus, a preview of what’s next for caregivers everywhere and families.

What if care didn’t end at the hospital door?  In this episode, we explore Compassionate Communities with Cynthia Lapointe, examining how culture, community, and shared responsibility can transform caregiving, end-of-life support, and aging – all with dignity.     Download your Episode Care Toolkit here!  

Why does dementia care feel so hard to navigate? In this episode of Aging With Dignity, Dr. Saskia Sivananthan breaks down the Mind the Gap report and explains where Canada’s dementia system falls short—and how families can advocate for better care.   Download your Episode Care Toolkit here!

Caregiver guilt is real, heavy, and rarely talked about. Ron Beleno joins us to unpack why guilt shows up, how it affects our decisions, and what practical steps can help us move toward compassion and clarity.   Download your Episode Care Toolkit here!

January is Alzheimer’s Awareness Month. If Alzheimer’s has touched your life, this is a key episode. Jeane Day and Anouk Coxon of the Alzheimer Society of Montreal discuss early signs, diagnosis in Quebec, caregiver support, stigma, and how the community can get involved. Download your Episode Care Toolkit here!

As the calendar year comes to a close, Varsha shares a moment of reflection with the Aging With Dignity community. We’re taking a short holiday break to rest, recharge, and plan new conversations and offering… returning in the new year with fresh episodes and renewed purpose. Click here to watch the episode! 

In many families, talking about death or legal planning feels uncomfortable,  even taboo. But as Varsha learned in her own family, planning ahead isn’t about fearing the future; it’s about protecting the people you love. In this episode of Aging With Dignity, Varsha sits down with Anna Kamateros, a Montreal notary with over 20 years of experience at KRB Law, to unpack the essentials of legal planning for aging in Quebec.   Download your Episode 11 Care Toolkit here!   Click here to watch the episode! 

An insightful episode on inheritance, taxes, and what really happens when a parent passes. With expert Tom Hamilton Piercy, we explore taxes, estate planning, and the realities of what children inherit before it’s too late. A clear, compassionate guide for families navigating end-of-life transitions.   Download your Episode 11 Care Toolkit here! Click here to watch the episode!

The conversation continues. In Part 2 of The Many Languages of Care, our caregivers go deeper, exploring the emotional side of caregiving, what they wish their loved ones knew, and what they’ve learned about aging, compassion, and themselves. Click here to watch the episode! Click here for Season 1 Toolkits!

Today we are kicking off season 2 with a conversation that is a little different. I’ve gathered a small circle of caregivers to join me today,  each with their own story.  Watch part one here.

This special in-between-seasons episode is a little different — the tables are turned! Our talented videographer, Vinay Dhalla, steps in as host and puts me in the hot seat. Together, we look back on the heartfelt conversations and lessons from Season 1 of Aging With Dignity, and share a glimpse into what’s next for Season 2. Click here to watch the episode!

In this special episode Varsha looks back on Season 1: from deeply personal moments to expert insights on elder care, grief, and end-of-life planning. It’s part reflection, part celebration, and part sneak peek of what’s ahead in Season 2.

Some parts of life are heavy, and planning for them is easy to postpone. In this episode, we talk about how to ease that weight, with two remarkable guests who bring both expert guidance and lived experience to a conversation we all need to have.   Download your Episode 11 Care Toolkit here!   Click here to watch the episode! 

Losing an elderly loved one is never easy, and grief can feel overwhelming, confusing, and isolating. In this episode, Varsha sits down with Emelie Pothier-Tessier from Deuil-Jeunesse to explore grief, learn how it can show up differently for each family member, and understand the support resources available to help navigate this deeply human experience.   Download your Episode 11 Care Toolkit here! Click here to watch the episode.

Honouring a loved one through Hindu funeral rites is deeply spiritual. But navigating the logistics in a city like Montreal can be overwhelming. In this episode, we explore the requirements for a Hindu cremation, and how families balance tradition, emotion, and practical realities.   Download your Episode 10 Care Toolkit here!   Click here to watch the episode!

Palliative care is about more than just end-of-life. It’s about living well, finding comfort, and supporting both patients and families through one of life’s most challenging journeys.    Join us for an intimate Q&A with Greg, the palliative nurse who guided Varsha’s parents through their final days, sharing insights, practical advice, and the human side of care that often goes unseen.   Download your Episode 09 Care Toolkit here!   Click here to watch the episode! 

When life changes suddenly, an aging parent needs more help, the house no longer feels safe, or palliative care becomes part of the conversation. How do you prepare? In this episode, we face these hard but necessary transitions with an experienced advocate by your side.   Download your Episode 08 Care Toolkit here!   Click here to watch the episode!

In this special episode, I share the personal story of how Aging With Dignity came to life- from a casual conversation after losing my parents, to the lessons learned behind the mic, and the incredible support of our all-volunteer team.   And .. We’re now live on social media!   Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to stay connected, share your stories, and help grow the conversation.   Click here to watch the episode!

Choosing and transitioning into a private senior residence is never just a checklist, it’s a deeply personal journey. Especially so for families separated by distance with children living afar. In this episode, we explore how to navigate this complex path with empathy, honesty, and real-life insight.   Download your Episode 06 Care Toolkit here!   Click here to watch the episode!

When a caregiving emergency turned her world upside down, one woman channeled heartbreak into hope, creating Care4giver to help families in their most vulnerable moments. This powerful story is for anyone who’s ever felt alone while caring for someone they love.   Download your Episode 03 Care Toolkit here!   Click here to watch the episode! 

When caring for aging loved ones becomes too much, and finances may be stretched too far for private solutions, families face a heartbreaking choice: stay at home or move to a CHSLD. In this episode, we unpack the emotions, culture, and tough conversations behind that decision, with compassion, clarity, and care.   Download your Episode 05 Care Toolkit here!   Click here to watch the episode! 

When a loved one is approaching end-of-life, home becomes more than just a place; it becomes a space for care, dignity, and peace. In this episode, Varsha shares her personal story and speaks with NOVA Home Care about the powerful role of in-home palliative support in Quebec. Learn how NOVA’s team helps families navigate this emotional time with compassion, presence, and expert care.   Download your Episode 04 Care Toolkit here!   Click here to watch the episode! 

Digging into a crucial but often overlooked part of Québec’s care system: the difference between caregivers and care providers. Understanding this distinction can help you navigate elder care, access support services, and better advocate for your loved ones. Whether you're caring for a parent, partner, or friend, this is essential listening for anyone dealing with aging, home care, or long-term support in Quebec. Download your Episode 02 Care Toolkit here! Click here to watch the episode!