The holidays often bring everyone back home—adult children, grandchildren, and multiple generations gathered under one roof. In this episode of The Focused Healthy Family Podcast, Gina and Don explore why these moments together may be the perfect opportunity to have meaningful conversations about the future.

Rather than waiting for a crisis, the holidays offer a natural and loving setting to talk about how we, as older adults, want our lives to look in the years ahead. Who would step in if help were needed? How do we want to be treated? What values matter most when it comes to caregiving, independence, and quality of life?

Gina and Don discuss how to approach these conversations with compassion instead of fear, how to include adult children without creating tension, and why clarity today can reduce stress, guilt, and confusion later. They also share insights on navigating family dynamics, honoring personal wishes, and keeping dignity and connection at the center of future planning.

Whether you're an older adult thinking ahead or part of a family supporting aging loved ones, this episode offers gentle guidance for turning holiday togetherness into honest, healthy conversations that strengthen families.

https://agelab.mit.edu/

#FocusedHealthyFamily #HomeForTheHolidays #FamilyConversations #AgingWell #FuturePlanning #CaregivingConversations #HealthyFamilies #AgingParents #HolidayGatherings #CaregiverSupport #FamilyCaregiving #EndOfLifePlanning #GenerationalConversations

In this empowering episode of the Focused Healthy Family Podcast, Gina and Don sit down with Rita Garnto, founder of Simple Self-Care by Rita, to explore what many experts are calling a global epidemic of stress. With more people than ever living in constant fight-or-flight, Rita brings her calm, grounded wisdom to explain why our nervous systems are overwhelmed — and what simple steps we can take to reclaim peace.

Rita shares her signature approach of starting small, reminding us that self-care doesn't have to be complicated or time-consuming. From micro-moments of breathing to tiny shifts in daily habits, she shows how even the simplest practices can break the stress cycle and reset the body.

And because stress often intensifies during the busy Christmas and holiday season, Gina, Don, and Rita weave in practical tips to help families stay centered during the chaos — including easy ways to slow down, reset, and actually enjoy the moments that matter.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone feeling overwhelmed, rushing on autopilot, or craving calmer, more intentional holidays.

Rita's Bio

Rita K. Garnto is a passionate advocate for self-care and stress management, blending her years of healthcare experience with a compassionate, down-to-earth approach. As a speaker, author, and creator of simple self-care strategies, Rita empowers individuals to prioritize their well-being in a busy world.

When she's not helping others find balance, you can find her working out, working in her yard, or spending quality time with her family. Rita's mission is to prove that even small steps toward self-care can lead to big life changes.

#FocusedHealthyFamily #SimpleSelfCare #RitaGarnto #StressRelief #FightOrFlight #HolidayStress #ChristmasWellness #MindfulHolidays #StressManagement #CalmTheChaos #FamilyWellness #SelfCareTips #MentalHealthMatters

In this episode of the Focused Healthy Family podcast, Gina and Don dive into an important but often overlooked topic—how to keep pets safe, calm, and healthy during the holiday season. Using expert guidance from NC State University's "Holidays and Pets: How to Keep Them Safe This Season" tips, they unpack the common holiday hazards pet owners should know about, along with simple, proactive ways to protect your furry family members.

From dangerous holiday foods and decorations to travel stress, unexpected visitors, and changes in routine, Gina and Don share the ups and downs of navigating the holidays with pets. They talk about real-life experiences, challenges families face, and practical strategies to help prevent accidents, support pet anxiety, and create a safe environment during this chaotic time of year.

Whether you're caring for a older pet, a new puppy, or a sensitive rescue animal, this episode is full of helpful holiday pet safety tips, stress-reduction strategies, and family-friendly advice to keep everyone—including your four-legged loved ones—feeling grounded and connected.

ASPCA - https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/general-pet-care/holiday-safety-tips

Holidays and Pets: How to Keep Them Safe This Season - Article

#FocusedHealthyFamily #HolidayPetSafety #PetWellness #FamilyCaregiving #HolidayStress #PetSafetyTips #NCStateUniversity #SafeHolidays #PetHealth #FamilyPodcast #GinaAndDon #MindfulHolidays #PetsAndFamilies

In this episode of the Focused Healthy Family podcast, Gina and Don sit down with Paul Bill from Veterans Bridge Home, an organization dedicated to helping service members successfully transition back into civilian life. Paul offers an inside look at the challenges many veterans face when the uniform comes off—identity shifts, employment struggles, mental and emotional transitions, rebuilding community, and navigating available resources.

Together, they explore how Veterans Bridge Home bridges the gap by connecting veterans and their families to the support systems they need—whether it's housing, healthcare, career guidance, or a renewed sense of belonging. This honest and compassionate conversation sheds light on what transitional veterans truly go through and how communities can better show up for them.

Paul Bill

Paul is on his third tour with Veterans Bridge Home; this tour as Community Engagement Manager. Previous tours he assisted in Veteran career education and transition employment. He is a 30-year retired Navy Surface Warfare Officer Commander, serving on numerous naval vessels; deploying in support of both Persian Gulf wars and Global War on Terrorism. He was prior enlisted as a construction electrician "SeaBee", then commissioned through the NROTC program with Rochester Institute of Technology. Through his Navy career and after his retirement in 2012, Paul continued to work to help close the gap between transitioning veterans and job placement.

Prior to rejoining the VBH team, Paul has been in business development and sales; working with Fortune 100/500 companies. He has facilitated over 50 Executive Business Development Workshops with a Business Development training/consulting company in Charlotte.

Since 2008, Paul serves as an Adjunct Professor at Bellevue University, teaching online COHORT Business curriculum for the college's Business Department. Paul is an experienced veteran, educator and motivation coach with the passion to help veterans on "transition". He lives in Tega Cay with his wife Susan (Dementia Care Navigator and ED for Magnolia Memory Care) of 33 years; has 2 daughters (one in Mathews, NC and other in Austin, TX). Has 3 grandchildren and one on the way.

#FocusedHealthyFamily #VeteransBridgeHome #VeteranSupport #MilitaryTransition #VeteranWellness #MentalHealthMatters #FamilyCaregiving #CommunitySupport #VeteranStories #MilitaryFamilies #TransitioningVeterans #HolisticHealth #PodcastInterview

In this festive holiday episode of the Focused Healthy Family podcast, Gina and Don share practical, real-life tips to support both the youngest and oldest members of your family during the busy season. Whether you're navigating holiday meals with picky eaters, planning safe and stress-free travel with aging parents, or creating a warm and accessible home for visiting grandparents and energetic kids, this episode offers helpful strategies to make your celebrations smoother and more joyful.

Gina and Don discuss healthy holiday eating for kids and seniors, smart family travel tips for the holidays, simple ways to reduce stress, and ideas for maintaining comfort, safety, and connection across generations. From managing routines to planning gatherings, this conversation is full of guidance families can use to enjoy the holidays with more ease and intention.

If your holidays include everything from toddlers to grandparents—or anything in between—this episode will help you feel more prepared, more confident, and more connected this season.

#FocusedHealthyFamily #HolidayWellness #HolidayFamilyTips #HealthyHolidays #FamilyTravel #SeniorCare #HealthyEating #MultigenerationalLiving #AgingParents #FamilyConnection #HolidayStressRelief #FamilyWellness

Join Gina and Don on this powerful episode of Focused Healthy Family as they sit down with elder-law specialist Louise M. Paglen of The McIntosh Law Firm (https://mcintoshlawfirm.com) to dive into the critical legal issues that affect aging loved ones and the families who care for them. With over two decades of experience in estate planning, guardianship, long-term care planning, Medicaid and VA benefits, Louise brings her compassionate, family-centered approach to demystify elder law and empower listeners.

In this conversation you'll learn:

• What "elder law" really encompasses — and how it goes beyond just wills and trusts to address the whole arc of aging, care and legacy.

• How to proactively plan for long-term care, special needs, and asset protection so that your parents or older loved ones aren't left scrambling.

• What questions to ask, what documents matter, and how to navigate Medicaid or VA benefits when caring for someone who's aging and may need support.

• Practical next steps for families juggling aging parents, caring roles, legacy concerns and the emotional realities that come with them — all with real-life dialogue to help you feel supported not overwhelmed.

Whether you're in the sandwich generation, supporting a parent, planning ahead for your own future, or helping someone you love navigate the years ahead, this episode offers clarity, heart and actionable tips.

Tune in now and get empowered to build a safer, more confident foundation for your family's future.

Louise Paglen

Before joining The McIntosh Law Firm, Lake Norman attorney Louise Paglen was the owner and founder of Paglen Law Office, a family-centered law practice providing estate planning, asset protection planning, and special needs planning for senior citizens, veterans, people with disabilities, and their families.

Louise understands that providing legal services to families often involves planning and advocating for her clients' most precious assets: parents, children, spouses, siblings, relatives, friends, and pets. She dedicates her practice to families and small businesses and is passionate about helping her clients keep family assets and financial matters private, and their loved ones cared for.

Louise is married and has two adult sons and two playful dogs. She enjoys spending time in the Blue Ridge Mountains, hiking, reading, cooking, playing with her dogs, and spending time with friends, family, and nature.

#ElderLaw #AgingParents #EstatePlanning #LongTermCare #CaringForAgingParents #LegacyPlanning #FamilyCaregiving #MedicaidPlanning #VAbenefits #FocusedHealthyFamily

In this warm and practical episode of Focused Healthy Family, Gina and Don talk about preparing your home for aging loved ones visiting during the holidays. Whether it's Christmas, Thanksgiving, or another family gathering, a few thoughtful adjustments can make a world of difference for comfort, safety, and peace of mind.

From preventing slips and falls to making seating and lighting more accessible, they share easy, compassionate ways to make your home welcoming for everyone—especially parents or grandparents who may need extra care. Tune in to learn how to balance festive fun with mindful preparation so you can focus on what truly matters—connection, not chaos.

#FocusedHealthyFamily #HolidayHosting #AgingParents #FamilyCare #SafeHomeForSeniors #HolidayPrep #SeniorSafety #CaregivingTips #AgingGracefully #MindfulFamily #HolidayTogetherness #ElderCare #FamilyConnection

As the holidays approach, Gina and Don invite you to take a deep breath and rethink what this season can truly be about. Instead of getting caught up in the hustle, the shopping, and the endless to-do lists, what if you chose calm over chaos? In this episode of Focused Healthy Family, they share simple, heartfelt reminders to slow down, be present, and enjoy the moments that matter most—with your loved ones and with yourself. Let this be the year you release the pressure and rediscover peace in the season.

#FocusedHealthyFamily #HolidayCalm #MindfulLiving #StressFreeHolidays #FamilyTime #HolidayWellness #SimplifyTheSeason #PeacefulParenting #SelfCareForCaregivers #IntentionalLiving #MindfulHolidays