Shows / Real Talk on Aging
Real Talk on Aging
When parents grow older, everything shifts. Real Talk on Aging is your source for real talk, practical insight, and steady perspective as you navigate the journey of caring for an aging parent—or prepare for what's next. Join us for honest conversations that cut through the confusion and offer actionable guidance on the challenges, emotions, and decisions that come with this life stage. Whether you're already a caregiver or looking ahead, this podcast provides the clarity and support you need.
Episodes
- Real Talk on Aging
Wait.. When Did I Become My Parents?
Aging isn’t an event. It’s a continuous experience, funny, disorienting, humbling, and deeply human. Barb and Dave have a view most people never get. Every…
- Real Talk on Aging
The Bucket List Doesn’t Have to Retire
The latest research keeps pointing to something families sometimes forget: older adults still need purpose, connection, growth, and experiences to look forward…
- Real Talk on Aging
The Scammers Are Coming For Grandma!
In 2025, older Americans reported losing more than $7.7 billion to fraud — with reported losses jumping 59% in a single year. And the FBI says shame…
- Real Talk on Aging
Why Loneliness Is the Silent Epidemic Facing Seniors
Loneliness in older adults is easy to miss because it rarely looks like a crisis. It can look like a parent who stops going out, a spouse who no longer drives…
- Real Talk on Aging
Why the Sandwich Generation Always Burns Out First
Caring for an aging parent comes with a task list anyone can see: appointments, medications, finances. So when an adult child burns out, the advice is almost…
- Real Talk on Aging
How to Talk to Aging Parents About Money
Financial strain around aging rarely starts with one big moment. It usually begins with smaller signs. Bills stacking up. Missed payments. Confusion around…
- Real Talk on Aging
Movement, Mobility, and Why Staying Active Protects Independence
Mobility doesn’t usually decline all at once. It starts with small changes. Walking a little slower. Avoiding stairs. Sitting more often. Needing help getting…
- Real Talk on Aging
How Alzheimer's Families Avoid Burning Out Completely
Alzheimer’s research is evolving, but many families are still navigating the disease with outdated expectations. From earlier detection to a better…
- Real Talk on Aging
Intimacy Doesn't End When You Age
When families focus on the logistics of care, the schedules, the medications, the appointments, something quieter slips away: the connection that makes life…
- Real Talk on Aging
What Families Get Wrong When a Parent Needs Care
When a parent needs care, family conflict doesn't just show up. It explodes. Siblings who haven't spoken in years suddenly have opinions, the child who has…
- Real Talk on Aging
The Family Meeting Every Adult Child Needs to Have
Talking about aging parents is one of the hardest conversations families will ever have. But avoiding the conversation about aging parents often leads to…
- Real Talk on Aging
The Driving Conversation: How to Know When It's Time
Driving and dementia is one of the most difficult conversations families will ever face. In this episode of Real Talk on Aging, Dave Ritterling and Barb Faust…
- Real Talk on Aging
Cognition Changes vs Dementia: What Families Miss
Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease affect millions of families, but most people are unprepared for the emotional, behavioral, and communication changes that come…
- Real Talk on Aging
Understanding Falls: Causes, Risks, and Prevention
Senior fall prevention isn’t just about avoiding accidents—it’s about preserving independence, confidence, and quality of life. In this episode of Real Talk on…
- Real Talk on Aging
Early Signs Families Ignore (and Why They Matter)
Early signs of dementia often don’t look serious—they look explainable. In this episode, Dave Ritterling and Barb Faust break down the early signs of dementia…
- Real Talk on Aging
How to Prepare Before a Crisis Forces Your Hand
Are you prepared for an aging parent crisis before it happens? Aging parent planning is the conversation most families avoid—until a fall, a health scare, or a…
- Real Talk on Aging
The Aging Curve: What’s Coming and When?
Real Talk on Aging reveals why families fall behind the aging curve—and how to stay ahead before a crisis hits. In this episode of Real Talk on Aging, you’ll…
- Real Talk on Aging
Welcome to Real Talk on Aging
Real Talk on Aging is a podcast about the moments, decisions, and emotions that come with caring for an aging parent or loved one. Hosted by Barb Faust, RN and…