TALK ABOUT LIVING WELL. Podcast host Lisa Wells of the Aging & Disability Resource Center.

Like countless others, living through the challenges of the past year led Lisa Wells to seek out information and inspiration in new ways. One of the places she found such encouragement was through podcasts, including some that spoke to her professionally as a dementia care specialist with the Aging & Disability Resource Center of Eau Claire County.

“I listen to things on ways to help me live better, ways to help me live well, and that got me thinking about how to help people with dementia or their caregivers,” Wells says.

At the same time, the ADRC was switching to virtual methods to connect with clients. This led to a lightbulb moment for Wells.

“I was looking for ways of reaching more people,” she says, and she realized that a podcast focused on issues of interest to the aging population could be a valuable resource for everyone in the community.

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I listen to things on ways to help me live better, ways to help me live well, and that got me thinking about how to help people with dementia or their caregivers.

LISA WELLS

dementia care specialist, aging & disability resource center of eau claire county

After all, even those of us far younger than the “senior citizen” demographic are getting older every day, and we want to continue to live the best lives we can. And no matter our age, we have all been impacted by the challenges of aging such as dementia – whether it’s affected a family member, a friend, a neighbor, or even a celebrity we admire.

And so, with the help of Volume One, Wells created a podcast, which is now set to launch. Journey Ahead: Aging Well in the Chippewa Valley, is a monthly podcast focusing on a range of issues related to aging, from staying physically active to nutrition to the impact of aging on the brain.

In each episode, Wells will speak with one or more Chippewa Valley professionals who have wisdom and experience to share with their audience. The first episode, featuring a chat with Dr. Joan Hamblin of Prevea Health, is now available. In that episode, Wells and Hamblin, who is board certified in geriatrics, discuss the difference between age-related memory loss and dementia, and what to do if a loved one is experiencing memory loss.

Future episodes will feature Eau Claire attorney Peter Grosskopf, who will speak about end-of-life legal issues, including the need for powers of attorney (see page 50 of the latest print issue of Volume One for a preview of that conversation); nutrition specialist PamVanKampen; Mary Pica Anderson, executive director of the L.E. Phillips Senior Center; and others.

Expect a new episode to be available every month or so on VolumeOne.org/podcasts and through numerous other podcasting services such as Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, and more.

The podcast is produced by Volume One and sponsored by the ADRC, All Star Elevator, and Grace Home Respiratory.

Wherever you are on your life’s journey, you are sure to find valuable information in Journey Ahead.

Listen to the first episode of Journey Ahead: Aging Well in the Chippewa Valley here.