We need better options for aging in America. You and I know it in theory, and I’ve learned it firsthand.

In December 2021, my dad had a catastrophic stroke that pulled him out of his life as an OB/GYN and threw him into a world of full-time therapies and round-the-clock care. His life has never been the same — and neither has mine.

My dad lived life at the 60 mph speed he used to ride a jetski, and he hadn’t prepared one bit for the chapter of his life that would require him to slow down. So for the past three and a half years I’ve been navigating the complexity of the healthcare system while trying to build him a life of purpose and meaning. As his primary caregiver, I’ve seen and experienced it all — I’ve moved him in (and out) of assisted living, I’ve bought a wheelchair-accessible home and undertaken massive renovations to make it functional, I’ve flown him across the country, I’ve hired temporary and live-in help, I’ve fought (and won) with Medicare, and so much more.

Walking alongside him through this life-altering journey has taught me what no classroom or courtroom ever could: how vulnerable, unprepared, and overwhelmed even the most capable families can feel in the face of illness and decline.

I believe aging can be the crescendo of a life well-lived — a time of reflection, connection, and deep personal meaning. But instead, most families experience it as a period marked by uncertainty, chaos, and crisis. We could have so much more control over how we age and die — but only if we plan ahead. Without the right foundation, families find themselves overwhelmed by decisions, burdened by guilt, and unsure how to honor their loved one’s wishes. My life’s work is about changing that. With care, clarity, and intention, I help families turn this final chapter into something beautiful, not just bearable. Because how we age — and how we die —matters.