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Planning for Long-Term Care, Love, and Legacy with Raymond Lavine

Widow, Wisdom & Wealth™: Thriving in Career and Parenthood After Loss

Release Date: 07/29/2026

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In this episode of Widow, Wisdom and Wealth™, Donna welcomes Raymond Lavine, host of Planning with Purpose and two-time EXPY award winner, for a candid conversation about long-term care planning. Rather than getting lost in policy jargon, the discussion focuses on why these conversations matter now—especially for widows, widowers, and families navigating major life transitions. Together, they explore caregiving, vulnerability, legacy, and the importance of having a plan that protects both your loved ones and your future.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

  • Why long-term care planning is really about love, responsibility, and protection
  • The difference between caregiving for children and caregiving for adults
  • Why people often avoid planning for care until it becomes urgent
  • How long-term care planning can reduce anxiety and improve decision-making
  • Why family conversations about care, legacy, and end-of-life wishes matter
  • How planning ahead can support both the person needing care and their family
  • The role of estate planning in shaping care, memorial, and transition decisions

Key Takeaways:

  • Long-term care is not just a financial issue—it’s an emotional and family issue.
  • A plan gives you more control, more dignity, and more options.
  • Avoiding the conversation can create stress for family members later.
  • Caregivers should be treated with respect and appreciation.
  • Planning for care, legacy, and memorial wishes can bring peace of mind.
  • Even difficult conversations become easier when they’re handled early.

Memorable Moments:

  • Donna shares her own experience of becoming a widow at 40 and thinking about who would care for her if she got hurt or became ill.
  • Raymond explains how caregiving changes when the person needing care is an adult.
  • The conversation turns personal as they discuss planning funerals, legacy, and how people want to be remembered.
  • Raymond shares a story about a client whose long-term care plan helped his family through a difficult transition.

About the Guest and Contact Info

Raymond Levine is the host of Planning with Purpose and a two-time EXPY award winner. He helps people think through long-term care planning in a way that supports real-life transitions, caregiving needs, and family peace of mind.