028: Finding the Right Home Care Approach (Elder Advocacy Encore Edition)
Release Date: 07/12/2019
195: Bitcoin Demystified (Part 2): The 3 Ways to Own Bitcoin
Absolute Trust Talk
Ready to own Bitcoin but not sure where to start? In Part 2 of our cryptocurrency series, host Kirsten Howe continues her conversation with Jirayr Kembikian, CFP® and Managing Director of Citrine Capital, to break down the three distinct ways to acquire and hold Bitcoin—each with its own unique trade-offs. Jirayr walks through everything from Bitcoin ETFs (the easiest and most familiar option) to exchange custody and self-custody, explaining why he believes "the only wrong answer for Bitcoin allocation is zero." He reveals the critical phrase Bitcoin purists use—"not your keys, not...
info_outline
194: Bitcoin Demystified (Part 1): Why 1 in 7 Americans Own Bitcoin
Absolute Trust Talk
Did you know that 1 in 7 Americans now own Bitcoin? If you've been curious about cryptocurrency but don't know where to start, this episode is for you. Host Kirsten Howe sits down with Jirayr Kembikian, CFP® and Managing Director of Citrine Capital, to demystify Bitcoin and explain why it's fundamentally different from every other cryptocurrency on the market. In this conversation, Jirayr introduces his "three buckets" framework for understanding the crypto landscape and explains how Bitcoin's fixed 21 million supply cap, national debt concerns, and unlimited money printing are...
info_outline
193: URGENT: California Medi-Cal Asset Limits Return in 2026 - How to Prepare NOW
Absolute Trust Talk
California is quietly bringing back asset limits for Medi-Cal long-term care coverage in 2026, and current recipients could be in for a devastating surprise. Here's what's happening: California eliminated asset limits for elderly and disabled Medi-Cal recipients in 2024, but those limits are returning in 2026. If you currently receive long-term care Medi-Cal benefits, when you submit your annual eligibility report next year, you could lose your coverage if your assets exceed the new limits. In this critical episode, estate planning attorney Kirsten Howe explains the $130,000...
info_outline
192: Your Healthcare Voice (Part 3): Understanding Assisted Suicide, Euthanasia, and End-of-Life Options
Absolute Trust Talk
In the final episode of our comprehensive healthcare planning series, Kirsten and Ariana tackle one of the most misunderstood areas of healthcare planning: life-ending decisions. This episode cuts through the confusion to deliver clear, factual information about California's End of Life Option Act, the strict requirements for assisted suicide, how passive and active euthanasia differ, and why many people don't actually qualify for the options they think exist. You'll also learn how California compares to other states and what alternatives exist internationally. Whether you're planning...
info_outline
191: When Rock Royalty Gets Estate Planning Right: Lessons from Ozzy Osbourne's $230M Legacy
Absolute Trust Talk
In this all-new episode of Absolute Trust Talk, Kirsten Howe and Associate Attorney Ariana Flynn explore a refreshing change of pace: a celebrity estate plan that appears to have been well-structured and executed effectively. Following the July 22, 2025, passing of heavy metal legend Ozzy Osbourne, his $230 million estate seems to be transitioning smoothly without probate litigation or family disputes. The hosts examine what the Prince of Darkness did right, from clear beneficiary designations to keeping valuable intellectual property assets within family control. They also dive...
info_outline
190: Your Healthcare Voice (Part 2): Emergency Medical Orders
Absolute Trust Talk
In this second episode of their comprehensive healthcare planning series, Absolute Trust Talk hosts Kirsten Howe and Ariana Flynn tackle the critical medical orders that work alongside your legal documents: DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) orders and POLST (Physician Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment) forms. Unlike the legal documents discussed in Part 1, these are doctors' orders that emergency responders must follow—but only if they can see them. The attorneys reveal the shocking legal reality that paramedics are required to perform CPR on anyone they find unconscious unless they have a valid...
info_outline
189: Your Healthcare Voice: Understanding Advanced Directives
Absolute Trust Talk
In this episode of Absolute Trust Talk, host Kirsten Howe and associate attorney Ariana Flynn tackle one of the most misunderstood aspects of estate planning: advanced healthcare directives. This is part one of a comprehensive three-part series covering end-of-life and healthcare planning. The attorneys break down the two critical legal documents every adult needs, regardless of age or wealth. They explain why everyone 18 and older must have an Advanced Healthcare Directive, revealing the shocking truth that parents lose all legal authority over their adult children's medical decisions the...
info_outline
188: Are You Risking Everything? The Insurance Your Business Can't Operate Without (Part 3)
Absolute Trust Talk
In the compelling finale of this three-part insurance series, host Kirsten Howe and insurance expert Dean Myers tackle the coverage that keeps business owners up at night—cyber insurance. Dean shares fascinating real-world stories, from ransomware attackers offering customer service hotlines to disgruntled employees planting digital "time bombs" in company systems. You'll discover why this isn't just another insurance policy but essential business survival protection that covers everything from system failures to deepfake fraud. Dean reveals the surprising realities about whether companies...
info_outline
187: Are You Risking Everything? The Insurance Your Business Can't Operate Without (Part 2)
Absolute Trust Talk
Most professionals know they need insurance, but many don't realize their general liability coverage has significant gaps when it comes to professional services. In this episode of Absolute Trust Talk, host Kirsten Howe continues her conversation with Dean Myers, owner of Core Insurance Agency, to explore errors and omissions insurance—specialized coverage designed specifically for professional liability risks. Discover which professions beyond doctors and lawyers should consider E&O coverage, including architects, engineers, accountants, and contractors who incorporate design elements...
info_outline
186: Jimmy Buffett's $275M Trust Battle: Why Co-Trustees Can Destroy Your Estate Plan
Absolute Trust Talk
In this episode of Absolute Trust Talk, California estate planning attorney Kirsten Howe examines the explosive trust dispute erupting over Jimmy Buffett's $275 million estate. When the legendary Margaritaville songwriter passed away, he left his fortune in an irrevocable trust with his widow Jane Buffett and co-trustee Richard Mozenter managing the assets together. Now they're locked in competing estate litigation across Florida and California, each seeking to remove the other as trustee through costly court battles. This high-profile celebrity estate case illustrates why...
info_outline
In episode 28 of Absolute Trust Talk, Kirsten welcomes Francesca Vogel, home care liaison for Home Care Assistance, to the show. Francesca works with seniors and their families to help navigate their specific care needs. Francesca is such a valuable asset in her field, not only because of her 24 years of health care experience but her vast knowledge base and her endless network of connections across the state of California and beyond.
Discussing home care and even potential end-of-life care is not an easy subject for people, but it’s something that every family should talk about, so they know and understand their options. Kirsten and Francesca dive into what services a home care assistant provides, who looks for home care, the questions to ask when looking for the right caregiver, the differences between home care and hospice, and why it’s not recommended to hire just a friend or neighbor. Whether you are in the middle of working these issues out with the seniors in your life or are only in the planning stages, this is an episode not to be missed.
Top Three From Episode #028:
- Ask questions
- Use your resources – Google and Yelp reviews, professionals like bankers and attorneys
- Remember you are never alone
FOCUS Your Business and Continue to Provide Innovative Solutions For Critical Elder Care Issues.
Time-stamped Show Notes:
3:24 – What’s happening in someone’s life when they should be thinking about home care?
6:07 – What kinds of services are a professional caregiver hired for?
9:28 – Francesca defines the difference between hospice and home care.
12:10 – Kirsten asks Francesca to discuss who works for and with Home Care Assistance.
20:14 – What do people need to be thinking about when looking for home care assistance?
22:05 – What kind of questions should potential clients ask about how a client care manager works?
23:12 – Why someone should not just hire a friend or neighbor to give home care assistance.
28:55 – When you need to hire home care, do you sign a contract?
35:50 – What do you do when an elderly client is against care?
Episode #028 Freebie:
“We all lose our keys and forget where we put our reading glasses as we get older. It’s normal.”
In this episode of Absolute Trust Talk, home care expert Francesca Vogel highlights how vital it is to educate seniors and their families on their care options and to provide tools to help them age as happily, healthily and comfortably as possible. Family members will see their elder loved ones start to lose their memories and automatically think the worst, but that’s not always the case. As discussed in today’s episode, Francesca is sharing a guide with listeners called How to Spot the Early Signs of Alzheimer’s. It goes through the various things you might be seeing in your loved one and offers a step-by-step guide to help notice the first signs of Alzheimer’s or determine if there might be something else going on. Click here to download your copy now!
Resources/Tools/Links Mentioned in This Episode:
Book Series by Home Care Assistance Founder
- Mind Over Gray Matter – Mentioned