He might be 89, but this man has a ten-year plan. Former international ad exec turned author and speaker Jim Flaherty is on a mission to shake up how we see aging. With his new book, “Loving Longevity: Make Your Next Years Your Best Years,” Flaherty offers straight talk, humor, and hard-earned wisdom to a generation that’s been told to fade quietly into the background. From caregiving a partner through dementia to living abroad on a whim—and launching a successful business at 45—Flaherty has lived the lessons he shares. But his most urgent message is for the 7.5 million depressed seniors in America: Life isn’t over, it’s just different—and can be full. Uplifting, funny, and fiercely honest, Flaherty is the voice older adults (and those who love them) didn’t know they needed. Contact Jim Flaherty at jflaherty@rtirguests.com; (914) 326-2697
Category: Senior Issues
How to Make a Plan to Care for Your Aging Parents
Let’s say you’re preparing for a performance review at work, need to attend your kid’s soccer game later this afternoon, and the phone rings: your mom has just fallen in the shower, or your dad’s had a stroke. Would you know what to do, which questions to ask, and who to call? Certified Senior Advisor® and Certified Aging-In-Place Specialist® Debbie C. Millerhas all the answers. The author of “Doing the Right Thing: Simple Solutions, Essential Tips, & Helpful Resources for Assisting Aging Loved Ones,” Miller brings over 30 years of experience guiding families through the emotional and logistical maze of senior care, providing a step-by-step approach to making confident decisions. Ask her: What are some pervasive myths about elder care? What are the biggest mistakes families make when trying to care for aging loved ones? Contact Debbie Miller at (703) 844-4074; dmiller@rtirguests.com
Interview a Pain Expert: What Works, What Doesn’t
Vita Oyler is no stranger to debilitating pain. When she was a young, highly athletic woman, she accidentally stepped on a rock, after which she developed reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD), a severe malfunction of the nervous and immune systems. This led to decades of excruciating pain and, ultimately, the amputation of her foot and part of her leg. But not only did she manage to survive this, she learned how to thrive and live a full, rewarding life. She can share how she managed to stay positive and live a productive life following years of severe pain, and practical skills for people living with pain. Vita is a rehabilitation counselor and doctoral candidate at San Diego State University. She is the author of “Got Pain? Now What?” Contact her at (209) 255-2962; Voyler@rtirguests.com
Do You Live with Pain? How to Stay Alive and Thrive
Vita Oyler is no stranger to debilitating pain. When she was a young, highly athletic woman, she accidentally stepped on a rock and developed reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD), a severe malfunction of the nervous and immune systems. This led to decades of excruciating pain and, ultimately, the amputation of her foot and part of her leg. Invite her to share how she survived the ordeal and learned to thrive and live a full, rewarding life. She’ll share how she managed to stay positive and live a productive life following years of severe pain, and practical skills for people living with pain. Vita Oyler is a rehabilitation counselor and doctoral candidate at San Diego State University. She is the author of “Got Pain? Now What?” Contact her at (209) 255-2962; Voyler@rtirguests.com
What NOT to Do When Diagnosed with Cancer
We all have a cancer story. With one in three Americans being diagnosed with cancer in their lifetimes, it is a common thread in all our lives. However, with good information and proper guidance, these stories can have better endings – if we know what to do, and what not to do. Dr. Kerry Forrestal can help. An ER doctor for 20 years, Dr. Forrestal has worked with thousands of cancer patients. His expert advice can give your audience the best possible chance against cancer as well as tips for navigating your finances, relationships, and career post-diagnosis. Ask him: Why should newly diagnosed cancer patients absolutely not go online to research when they first receive their diagnosis? Why are most cases of cancer discovered in the ER? How have evolving treatments made it more likely than ever that patients will survive a cancer diagnosis? An experienced media guest, Forrestal is the author of “Crushing Cancer: A Patient’s Complete Guide to Managing a Cancer Diagnosis.” Contact him at (419) 780-3689; kforrestal@rtirguests.com
Make This One Change and Live to 90+ Years
Author and environmental activist Richard Schwartz, Ph.D., is 90-years-young and still going strong. His secret? “I have followed a vegan diet for decades,” he says. “I am convinced that that has been the key to my longevity and remaining healthy at an advanced age.” He also believes that animal-based industries are destroying the planet by largely contributing to climate change. “The world is eating itself into distinction,” he adds. “If people don’t embrace vegetarianism and veganism on a massive scale, I am convinced that humans will be extinct by 2100.” An experienced media guest, Richard is the author of “Vegan Revolution” and several other books. Contact Richard Schwartz at (914) 533-1949; rschwartz@rtirguests.com
This Guest Helps Boomers Struggling to Retire
The largest segment of the U.S. population is rapidly approaching retirement age, yet more than half are worried they won’t have enough to retire – and 20% have no retirement savings at all. With rising inflation and a middling economy, is there any way to turn things around? Tom Loegering (pronounced “Lay-ger-ing”) reveals how baby boomers and anyone in the workforce can ensure a happy, well-funded retirement so they can enjoy their golden years. Learn how to develop “the business of you” and retire comfortably without sacrificing your goals and dreams along the way. A retired contractor and experienced speaker, Tom is the author of “Success or Failure: The Choice Is Yours,” a workbook to help anyone plan their perfect retirement. Contact him at (623) 400-8648; tloegering@rtirguests.com
An ‘Insider’s Guide’ to Caring for Aging Loved Ones
Caring for a loved one is stressful. There are new situations, new issues, and new decisions to make. When you don’t know what to expect or what questions to ask or who to call, it can be a frustrating feeling, and your emotions often affect your decisions. Debbie Miller can help. Debbie is the author of “Doing the Right Thing: Simple Solutions, Essential Tips, and Helpful Resources for Assisting Aging Loved Ones,” which is full of information she has collected over 30 years’ of working with seniors, including several of her own relatives. She’ll share 40+ questions to ask an assisted living facility, must-have information you need from your loved ones before they become incapacitated or die, and how to figure out what to sell, donate or give away when downsizing a parent’s home. Debbie Miller is The Retiree’s Home Transition Expert, a Certified Senior Advisor, and a Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist. Contact her at (703) 328-0143; debmillr@hotmail.com
Proven Tips to Slow Aging and Stay Healthy Longer
It happens to us all and it’s happening every day: Aging. As we age, the various ways our bodies break down create our vulnerability to illness. Research now shows that stress speeds up the aging process. So along with all the other issues related to stress, it is the leading cause of most illnesses. Interview psychologist Stephen Sideroff and discover nine steps to slow the aging process to stay healthy longer and extend your health span. Listeners will learn how each step can help reduce chronic stress, build resilience and achieve success. Stephen Sideroff is an associate professor in the Departments of Psychiatry and Rheumatology at UCLA’s Geffen School of Medicine. He is the author of “The 9 Pillars of Resilience: The Proven Path to Mastering Stress, Slow Aging and Increase Vitality.” Reach Dr. Sideroff at (213) 660-4659; ssideroff@rtirguests.com
How to Use Your Brain to Heal Faster
Science has shown that a mind-body connection exists and your emotions can impact your physical health, but how much does it actually help? Discover the real power of positive thinking when you interview Stan Munslow. After helping his father beat 30% survival odds and fully recover from Stage 4 lymphoma, Stan shares his methods for faster recovery from surgery, chronic conditions, or serious illness — and improved health overall. Discover powerful techniques to optimize your mind-body connection and reclaim your health. Ask him: How can your thoughts help you decrease pain, recovery time, and even your health-care costs? Why does being the “perfect patient” help you shorten and improve a hospital experience? Stan Munslow is the author of “Get Weller Sooner: 12 Powerful, Proven Ways to Speed and Improve Your Recovery from Illness or Surgery?” Contact him at (401) 337-7436; smunslow@rtirguests.com