In this relaunch episode of Before the Crisis, Liz sits down with Stephanie Wilson, MS, Manager of Programs and Community Engagement for APDA Iowa, for a candid conversation about a topic many families, care teams, and senior communities avoid: sex, intimacy, and connection in later life.

Stephanie brings her background in gerontology, neurology support, and Parkinson’s community programming into a wide-ranging discussion about how aging, Parkinson’s disease, dementia, medication changes, erectile dysfunction, caregiving, grief, and changing bodies can affect intimacy between partners. The conversation also explores APDA’s ParkinSex resource, a kit created to help people with Parkinson’s and their partners reconnect around physical and emotional intimacy.

Liz and Stephanie talk openly about why older adults are often treated as if desire disappears with age, why that assumption is harmful, and why intimacy can include much more than intercourse. They discuss handholding, lying together, deep conversations, companionship, safe touch, and the emotional need to still feel wanted and connected.

This episode also gets into the complicated questions families often do not know how to answer: What happens when one spouse has dementia? How do we think about consent, caregiving, and changing roles? What happens when one partner can no longer participate in intimacy the same way? And how can families start talking about these issues before they become a crisis?

This is an honest, adult conversation for caregivers, adult children, senior living professionals, healthcare workers, and anyone who believes dignity does not end when bodies, relationships, or care needs change.

Topics discussed include:

• Sex and intimacy in older adulthood
• Parkinson’s disease and relationship changes
• The APDA ParkinSex kit
• Dementia, consent, and caregiving
• Medication side effects and erectile changes
• STIs and senior communities
• Dating after loss
• Family caregiving and dignity
• Why sex education should not stop in middle school
• How to make taboo conversations safer and less shame-filled

Disclaimer: This episode is for educational and conversational purposes only and is not medical, legal, sex therapy, marriage counseling, or mental health advice. Listeners should speak with qualified professionals about their own medical, legal, relationship, or care-planning questions.

What happens when something feels off… but no one tells you what’s really going on?

In this episode of Before the Crisis, Angie Sly shares her raw and honest experience caring for her mother through dementia without a clear diagnosis, without guidance, and without knowing what resources were available.

From early signs like behavior changes and missed medications to dangerous falls, hospitalizations, and navigating multiple care facilities, Angie walks through what it actually looks like to figure things out in real time.

She opens up about the emotional weight of being the primary decision-maker, the financial strain of paying out of pocket before understanding Medicaid, and the overwhelming process of finding safe care.

This conversation sheds light on the reality many families face:

You don’t know what you don’t know until you’re already in it.

If you are caring for a loved one or starting to notice changes, this episode will help you understand why planning early matters and how much easier this journey can be with the right support.

Golden Concierge helps families navigate aging, Medicaid, and care decisions before it becomes a crisis.

In this episode of The Golden Hour, Liz sits down with Golden Concier teammates Tasha Tucker and Jody Jones to talk about what real advocacy looks like in senior care and to officially welcome Jody to the team.

They unpack the idea of “dignity of risk” and why seniors deserve the right to make their own choices, even when those choices feel uncomfortable to families or professionals. The three also get personal, sharing their career paths through hospitals, Medicaid, PACE programs, senior living, real estate, and why all of those roads led them to Golden Concier.

You will hear how the team supports families who feel overwhelmed by decisions, paperwork, Medicaid, housing, and homes that are packed full of a lifetime of belongings. They talk about their unique balance of personalities including how Jody often plays the role of translator, why passion in advocacy can be misread as pushy, and how they protect seniors by being both gentle with clients and fierce in care meetings when needed.

If you have ever wondered what a true senior advocate does behind the scenes or what makes Golden Concierge different, this conversation pulls back the curtain.

In this episode you will hear about dignity of risk in aging, advocacy versus control and how the team stands with families, the introduction of Jody and her many years of Medicaid experience, the way Golden Concierge combines social work, Medicaid, and real estate in one place, the ethical use of an investor list to help with unsafe and overwhelmed homes, the emphasis on clear documentation and recorded communication, and the plan to add a fiduciary and accountant role for vulnerable seniors.

In this powerful episode of The Golden Hour, host Liz Keller sits down with Angela Van Pelt, Iowa’s State Long-Term Care Ombudsman, and Melanie Kempf, Program Manager for Quality and Process Improvement. Together, they shed light on the critical — and often misunderstood — role of the Ombudsman’s Office in protecting seniors in long-term care facilities.

From resident rights and care complaints to involuntary discharges and systemic reform, Angela and Melanie share what really happens behind the scenes in Iowa’s nursing homes and assisted living communities. They also discuss the challenges of staffing, burnout, and loneliness in senior care — and how families can advocate for their loved ones more effectively.

Whether you’re a caregiver, family member, or senior industry professional, this episode will change the way you see long-term care advocacy.

🎧 Topics Covered:

• What the Iowa Long-Term Care Ombudsman’s Office actually does
• The difference between regulatory agencies and resident advocacy
• The top three complaints in long-term care — and how they’re being addressed
• Why staffing, culture, and compassion make or break a community
• How families can report issues and protect their loved ones’ rights
• Future innovations in senior living, from small home models to intergenerational care

💛 This episode is a must-listen for anyone who believes our seniors deserve better care — and real voices fighting for them.

In this episode of The Golden Hour, host Liz Keller sits down with Dr. Malinda Shultice to have a brutally honest conversation about the realities of senior living — from the financial pressures and ethical gray areas to the burnout and moral decisions administrators face every day.

Malinda shares her journey from “accidentally” joining senior living administration to becoming a passionate advocate for leadership reform and ethical care. Together, she and Liz pull back the curtain on the uncomfortable truths behind occupancy quotas, leadership training gaps, and the “we’ve always done it this way” mindset.

You’ll walk away with a renewed understanding of what compassionate leadership really looks like — and why healing the senior living industry begins with transparency, courage, and doing the right thing, even when it’s hard.

Topics Include:

• Malinda’s path from administrator-in-training to leadership coach
• The ethical crisis in senior living and how to fix it
• The dangerous link between census pressures and resident care
• How to empower leaders to say “no” when it’s not the right fit
• Why transparency always wins in the long run
• The “hamster wheel of chaos” — and how to get off it

In this episode of The Golden Hour, Liz Keller sits down with Tasha Tucker, senior care specialist and Medicaid expert at Golden Concierge. Tasha shares her journey from working in hospitals and Medicaid programs to serving as a Community Relations Director in senior living communities—and now blending both worlds to provide concierge-level support for seniors and their families.

Together, Liz and Tasha talk about:

• The difference between free government resources and concierge-level care
• Common misconceptions about Medicaid, spend-down rules, and the five-year lookback
• Why financial planning is critical before moving into assisted living or memory care
• Real stories of seniors who found hope, safety, and community through Golden Concierge
• How Tasha’s personal approach—asking the right questions and understanding life stories—ensures seniors are placed in communities where they can thrive

Whether you’re a family member overwhelmed by options or a professional curious about the Medicaid maze, this episode offers practical advice and heartfelt stories about aging with dignity.

What does it really take to keep seniors safe, comfortable, and independent in their own homes?

In this episode of The Golden Hour, Liz Keller sits down with Dave Williamson, Housing Services Manager for Polk County, to uncover the programs that make aging in place possible. From $5,000 grants for home modifications to statewide weatherization assistance and emergency repair funding, Dave shares practical solutions available to families right now.

Together, they explore:

• How the Aging-in-Place Program helps seniors 62+ with essential modifications like grab bars, ramps, and tub cutouts.
• Why Weatherization Programs go beyond plastic on windows—think energy audits, blower door testing, and appliance safety checks.
• How the Emergency Home Repair Program provides a safety net for urgent needs like furnaces, water heaters, or collapsing sewer lines.
• Partnerships with organizations like EveryStep’s Healthy Homes Program, making a difference for children with asthma.
• What families in other counties can do to find out if similar programs exist in their communities.

This episode is a must-listen for caregivers, seniors, and anyone working to ensure dignity and safety for older adults at home.

👉 Resources mentioned:

• Polk County Public Works Housing Programs
• 211 (United Way) for local referrals
• Community Action Agencies across Iowa

🎧 Listen now to discover how these programs are changing lives one home at a time.

When you or a loved one faces a serious illness, navigating the healthcare system can feel overwhelming. That’s where leaders like Aimee Spores, Director of Hospice and Palliative Care at WesleyLife, come in.

In this episode of The Golden Hour, Aimee breaks down the differences between palliative and hospice care, explains how WesleyLife’s bedside model is changing the landscape in Iowa, and shares moving stories of bucket-list wishes made possible through community generosity. We also explore the importance of advance care planning, the role of social workers, and how families can find peace and support through every stage of serious illness.

Whether you’re a caregiver, healthcare professional, or someone curious about end-of-life care, this conversation offers clarity, compassion, and hope.