Retirement Connection

08/26/2026

We're saddened by the loss of another legend this week, actor Tim Curry, who passed away at 80.

Curry's career spanned theater, film, and television for over five decades, and his range was extraordinary. He broke through on the London stage before becoming a cult icon as Dr. Frank-N-Furter in The Rocky Horror Picture Show, a performance so bold and boundary-pushing it helped turn a box-office failure into one of the most beloved films of all time. From there, he brought his singular charisma to roles as varied as the menacing Pennywise in It, the endlessly quotable Wadsworth in Clue, and beloved family films like Annie and Muppet Treasure Island.

Despite a stroke in 2012 that changed the course of his later years, Curry remained a cherished figure to fans across generations, proof that a truly great performance never stops resonating.

Rest in peace, Tim. Thank you for the characters, the voices, and the joy.

08/25/2026

Today we lost an icon whose impact reached far beyond music. Dolly Parton didn't just entertain generations, she gave people permission to be exactly who they were, unapologetically.

Our CEO, Amy Schmidt, grew up not far from Dolly's hometown in East Tennessee, and shared a personal reflection on what Dolly's example meant to her: a woman who never sought approval before living authentically, who stood by the people she believed in, and who saw others for who they could become rather than what she could gain from them.

Rest in peace, Dolly. Thank you for showing us what it looks like to live without apology.

08/18/2026

Amy Schmidt, our CEO/President just added an educational article to Linkedin...
She began her career in assisted living almost three decades ago. "Referral agencies didn't create the need for a middleman between families and senior care. The industry did. That's the truth I want to start with, because everything else here makes a lot more sense once you understand why families ended up needing one in the first place. "

In this issue: (Newsletter article #3)
Why hospitals often refer families straight to a referral agency instead of calling communities directly, and what that means for how many choices you actually see
· The gaps in this industry that families whisper about but rarely hear addressed directly, hospice, Medicaid, and who gets left to figure it out alone
· The exact questions that separate a genuinely good referral agency from one quietly working against you
· Where online "directory" sites actually send your information, and how to opt out if it's already happened to you
· What I've learned watching this industry as a provider and as caregiver

I began my career in assisted living almost three decades ago. Referral agencies didn't create the need for a middleman between families and senior care. The industry did. That's the truth I want to start with, because everything else here makes a lot more sense once you understand why families ende...

08/18/2026

Did you know August is National Wellness Month? It's the perfect time to check in on the health and happiness of the seniors in your life (and yourself, caregivers!).

From staying active and eating well to fighting isolation and prioritizing self-care, small habits can make a big difference. 💙

In our latest article, we're breaking down simple, meaningful ways to support senior wellness this month, plus a special note for family caregivers on why taking breaks matters too. 🙌

Read the full article at the link in the first comment!

08/09/2026

08/05/2026

What a wonderful day at the Providence Everett Case Management Resource Fair! We love these coordinating these events, they give us a chance to link up our sponsors with Case Management teams across our network, from Everett, WA to Medford, OR and all the communities in between. Sitting down face-to-face with case managers, social workers, and discharge planners helps make sure they have a clear picture of the local resources ready to help their patients.

And here's the part that really matters: every dollar we raise goes directly toward supporting low-income patients in the community. We're so thankful for partners like Providence Everett, who help us bring providers and hospital staff to the same table, because when that network grows stronger, the people who need care the most are the ones who benefit.

07/29/2026

07/16/2026

Yesterday was a great day at the Valley Medical Center Case Management Resource Fair! Events like these are always a highlight for us, whether we're connecting with teams in Everett, WA or Medford, OR (and everywhere in between). It's a chance to sit down with case managers, social workers, and discharge planners and make sure they know exactly what local resources are available for their patients.

And here's the best part: every dollar raised goes straight back into supporting low-income patients in our community. Grateful for partners like Valley Medical Center who make it possible for us to coordinate bringing providers and hospital staff together, because a stronger network means better care for the people who need it most.

07/14/2026

Only 1 in 10 homes in the U.S. is actually set up for aging in place.

That number surprises a lot of families. Modifications usually only happen right after a fall, or a diagnosis, when everything feels urgent at once.

Here's the honest part: you don't need a full remodel.

Small changes carry real weight. Grab bars. A walk-in shower. Lever handles instead of k***s. Better lighting. A ramp at the entrance.

And clothing gets overlooked completely. Adaptive clothing exists... velcro that looks like buttons, magnetic closures, elastic waistbands, side zippers. Most families have never heard of it until someone hands them a list.

Same with the small tools. Reachers, dressing sticks, long-handled shoehorns. Inexpensive, and they give someone their morning routine back.

If cost is the worry, there's help. VA grants, USDA and FHA loans, FSA and HSA funds, some Medicare Advantage plans.

We put it all in one article: "Small Changes, Big Difference: Accessibility Updates for Your Home and Wardrobe."

Read the full article at the link in the first comment.

07/08/2026

You put the phone down after another call from your dad.

The dryer is still going. Your kid needs help with a science project by tomorrow. You haven't eaten dinner and it's 9:47pm.

This is a Tuesday.

Not a crisis. Just a Tuesday.

If you're taking care of an aging parent while raising your own kids, you already know the feeling. The math of your day doesn't add up. Something has to give, and it's usually you.

Here's what the numbers actually say:

→ 63 million Americans are caregivers right now (AARP, 2025)
→ Nearly 1 in 3 are also raising kids under 18
→ 58% of those helping parents financially have gone into debt doing it
→ 1 in 4 caregivers feel socially isolated

You are not imagining the weight of this. You are not doing it wrong. You are one of tens of millions of people quietly holding two generations up at the same time.

We wrote something for you.

Follow the link in the first comment to read "The Sandwich Generation Guide: You Don't Have to Figure This Out Alone". Honest, practical information you can use tonight, or save for the day you need it.

If someone in your life is caught in the middle right now, share this with them. Sometimes the most useful thing is knowing you're not the only one carrying it.