When Mark Wilson's mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, he didn't approach caregiving as a healthcare professional. He approached it as a leader.

Drawing on more than 22 years of executive leadership experience and the lessons learned while supporting his mother through 15 years of living with dementia, Mark developed a practical framework he calls Careleading, a leadership-based approach to caregiving that helps families move from feeling overwhelmed to feeling empowered.

In this episode of Not Ready Yet: Curating Conversations for the Aging Journey, Mark shares how families can create better outcomes for their loved ones while reducing stress and uncertainty along the way. We discuss the leadership principles that apply to caregiving, the importance of creating a positive and supportive environment, and why families deserve more than simply surviving the dementia journey.

Whether you're currently a caregiver for an aging loved one or anticipating future care needs, this conversation offers practical strategies, hope, and encouragement.

In This Episode We Discuss:

• What "Careleading" means and how it differs from traditional caregiving
• Applying leadership principles to family caregiving
• Building and managing an effective care team
• Creating a safe and supportive environment for someone living with dementia
• Nutrition, supplements, medications, and overall wellness considerations
• The "Surround Sound" concept and why environment matters
• How to communicate effectively with healthcare providers
• The importance of self-care for family caregivers
• Finding hope and purpose in the caregiving journey

Connect with Mark Wilson:

Website: https://boldcareleader.com

Resources:

Breakthrough Alzheimer's Care by Mark Wilson:
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Breakthrough+Alzheimer%27s+Care+Mark+Wilson

About Not Ready Yet: Curating Conversations for the Aging Journey helps adult children, caregivers, and older adults navigate the conversations and decisions that come with aging. Through expert interviews and real-life stories, we explore topics including caregiving, aging in place, downsizing, senior living, dementia care, family communication, and planning ahead.

Subscribe for more conversations that help you navigate the aging journey with confidence, compassion, and clarity.

#AlzheimersCare #DementiaCare #FamilyCaregiver #Caregiving #AgingParents #Careleading #Alzheimers #Dementia #NotReadyYetPodcast

© 2025-2026 Lisa M. Harper. All rights reserved. “Not Ready Yet: Curating Conversations for the Aging Journey” is a trademark of Lisa M. Harper.

In this episode, Lisa sits down with Curtis Petersen, National Sales Director for the Society of Certified Senior Advisors (CSA), to discuss how the Certified Senior Advisor credential helps professionals better serve older adults and their families.

Curtis shares the history and mission behind CSA, what it takes to earn the certification, and why ethics, continuing education, and third-party oversight are essential in the aging services industry. Together, they explore how families can identify trusted professionals, build a reliable support network, and navigate the complexities of aging with greater confidence.

Whether you're a family caregiver, an older adult planning for the future, or a professional who serves seniors, this conversation offers valuable insights into the resources, education, and guidance available to help make aging decisions less overwhelming.

In this episode, you'll learn:
• What the CSA credential is and why it matters
• How Certified Senior Advisors support older adults and families
• The importance of trust, ethics, and ongoing education
• Resources available for aging adults, caregivers, and professionals
• How open family conversations can lead to better outcomes

As Curtis reminds us, planning for the later chapters of life isn't just about preparation. It's about preserving options, dignity, and peace of mind.

Resources
• CSA Website: https://www.csa.us/
• Find a Certified Senior Advisor: https://www.csa.us/Find-a-Certified-Senior/
• CSA Certification Program: https://www.csa.us/certification/

© 2025-2026 Lisa M. Harper. All rights reserved. “Not Ready Yet: Curating Conversations for the Aging Journey” is a trademark of Lisa M. Harper.

In this episode of Not Ready Yet: Curating Conversations for the Aging Journey, financial expert Heather Clark shares practical insights on one of the biggest retirement impacts many people face: the timing of when to start withdrawals. With more than 20 years of experience helping individuals navigate retirement planning, Heather breaks down how Social Security timing, pensions, taxes, and longevity planning all work together to impact your financial future.

You’ll learn why Social Security should be viewed as a pension, how spouse benefits are affected by timing and work history, and why personalized retirement strategies matter more than one-size-fits-all advice. Heather also shares practical tools, including RMD calculators and online resources, to help you make more confident financial decisions.

Whether you’re approaching retirement, supporting aging parents, or planning for long-term financial independence, this conversation offers valuable guidance to help you move forward with clarity and confidence.

Key topics include:
• Timing your Social Security benefits
• How pensions impact retirement income
• Tax implications in retirement
• Longevity planning strategies
• Benefit optimization tips
• Using RMD calculators effectively

Resources

Social Security Administration

Schwab RMD Calculator

Next Step Wealth Management

© 2025-2026 Lisa M. Harper. All rights reserved. “Not Ready Yet: Curating Conversations for the Aging Journey” is a trademark of Lisa M. Harper.