Clinical Social Worker and family caregiving expert Stephanie Erickson talks about her new book Plan for Aging Well and shares practical advice on how to navigate your family’s aging journey. About Stephanie Stephanie Erickson, author of Plan for Aging Well, was born and raised in California. She has a Master’s Degree in Social Work, is a Certified Alzheimer’s Disease Treatment Specialist (CADTS) licensed in both Quebec and California.   She founded Erickson Resource Group, a clinical practice providing decision-making capacity evaluations for legal proceedings and expert opinions related to support for older adults. She also provides online consulting services for caregivers throughout North America. As a Family Caregiving Expert, she is a regular contributor on media outlets throughout the U.S. and Canada discussing topics related to caregiving, health, and well-being. Stephanie is passionate about sharing her experience and knowledge and encouraging others to take control of their health and advocate on behalf of vulnerable populations. As a mom and entrepreneur, free time is hard to find. Yet, Stephanie always carves out time to enjoy the beach. She lives in California with her husband, two children and energetic golden retriever.  Learn more about Stephanie at stephanieerickson.com or find her on LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube and Instagram. Key Takeaways We have a crisis in the US healthcare system. One of the biggest challenges is access to quality consistent care. The care is often subpar, and the shortage of providers negatively impacts the quality of care. People don’t want to plan for aging well because they are afraid of getting older. Fears like having reduced mobility, getting an illness, running out of money and dying can feel overwhelming. Everyone wins when you plan. Create a life plan early in you're in your 40s and 50’s to share with adult children, family, and friends. We need a collaborative team approach to aging.