Helping aging parents stay safe at home often feels overwhelming, especially when families wait until a fall or health crisis forces decisions.

In this episode, Tom Kaminski, CFP®️, is joined by occupational therapist Emilia Bourland, OTR, ECHM, to talk about how families can take a proactive approach to aging in place. Emilia explains what occupational therapy really is, how home environments impact safety and independence, and which areas of the home deserve the most attention as we age.

They also cover realistic caregiving considerations, including dementia, the limits of family caregiving, and how to think about the financial side of home modifications and long-term care. The episode wraps with a clear, four-step framework families can use to start planning now rather than reacting later.

All of the resources discussed in today’s conversation are linked below.

Resources mentioned

• CareLab Podcast
  
  
• Ask SAMIE
  Virtual occupational therapy assessments and aging-in-place support
  
  
• Rosarium Health
  Occupational therapy assessments and guidance on benefits and home modifications
  
  
• USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology
  Executive Certificate of Home Modification graduate directory
  
  
• LumaLink
  Voice concierge connecting people to aging-in-place and senior support services
  
  
• What Do I Do When...An Occupational Therapist’s Guide to Solving Daily Dementia Care Problems by Emilia Bourland
  This daily guide to dementia care gives practical tips and strategies for common challenges like eating, bathing, dressing, grooming, sleeping, wandering, agitation/aggression, fall prevention, and more
  
  

Cybersecurity has quietly become part of everyday life, whether we like it or not. In this episode, Tom Kaminski is joined by Danny Schwartz, CEO of Your Cyber Life, to talk through practical, real-world steps families can take to better protect themselves online.

From fraud texts and phishing emails to AI-driven scams, this conversation focuses on building awareness and putting simple safeguards in place without feeling overwhelmed. This episode is designed for families who want to strengthen their digital defenses, with a follow-up episode planned that will focus specifically on cybersecurity support for aging parents.

Resources discussed in this episode include:

• NetCetera
• Your Cyber Life Login PIN 3803

When elder law planning is delayed, families often find themselves in crisis mode.

In this episode, Tom Kaminski and elder law attorney Maureen Lester discuss common elder law “horror stories,” what actually goes wrong when planning happens too late, and how families can avoid these outcomes. They cover outdated estate documents, guardianship proceedings, and the financial and emotional costs of court involvement.

The conversation also highlights positive planning strategies, including care contracts, Medicaid considerations, and how clearly defining roles among siblings can reduce conflict. Maureen shares practical ways families can start conversations early and take small but meaningful steps before a crisis occurs.

This episode offers realistic guidance for navigating aging, caregiving responsibilities, and long-term care decisions.