Most women in their 40s and 50s don’t think about long-term care—until they’re suddenly forced to.

In this episode of The Next ChaptHER Podcast, Andrea Hecht sits down with Suzanne Scheer, J.D., CLTC®, to unpack what long-term care actually is, why it matters, and why waiting until a crisis hits can leave families overwhelmed—emotionally, logistically, and financially.

Suzanne’s passion for this work is deeply personal. As part of the sandwich generation, she spent years caring for her parents through extended illnesses while raising her own young child. That experience opened her eyes to what families go through when there isn’t a clear plan in place—and why education before a crisis is so critical.

Together, Andrea and Suzanne break down long-term care in simple, human language—without fear-mongering or pressure—so women can make informed decisions that protect both their future selves and the people they love.

• What long-term care really means (and what it does not)

• Why Medicare and health insurance don’t cover custodial care

• Common misconceptions that keep women from planning ahead

• Why long-term care isn’t just about aging—it can happen at any age

• The different types of care: home care, assisted living, memory care, and more

• Traditional long-term care insurance vs. newer hybrid/asset-based options

• How health history and timing affect eligibility

• Why planning ahead gives you choice—not panic

• How proactive planning can reduce emotional and financial strain on families

• Long-term care covers custodial care—help with daily activities—not medical treatment

• Medicare offers only limited, short-term rehab coverage

• Planning earlier often means more flexibility, better options, and less stress

• Newer long-term care products can provide value even if care is never needed

• The goal isn’t just financial protection—it’s dignity, autonomy, and family peace

Suzanne Scheer, J.D., CLTC® is a long-term care specialist who helps individuals and families plan proactively—before they’re in crisis. She is known for her clear, compassionate approach and specializes exclusively in long-term care education and planning.

🔗 Website: https://www.sgsinsurance.net 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suzannescheer/ 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suzannescheer_jd_cltc/

💻 Upcoming Webinar: “Understanding Long-Term Care Insurance” will be on February 19th at Noon EST. Registration link: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tcs5Y0ZIRgaHWVlFbwbYkw

• The Shopper’s Guide to Long-Term Care Insurance National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) https://content.naic.org/sites/default/files/publication-ltc-lp-shoppers-guide-long-term.pdf

To learn more about Andrea’s work supporting women through transitions and helping them find their roadmap back to J.O.Y. (Journey of You), visit fullyinformedlife.com.

Continue the conversation with Andrea on Instagram @fullyinformedlifecoaching.

🎧 Subscribe so you never miss what’s next on your favorite podcast app. ⭐ Leave a review if this episode resonated. It helps more women find The Next ChaptHER Https://www.ratethispodcast.com/thenextchapther

Until next time, keep writing your next chapter.

Before we step into the rush of December — the events, expectations, emotions, and everything extra — this episode invites you to slow down and take a breath.

Today, Andrea walks you through one of the most clarity-creating exercises she uses with clients and inside her Circle groups: choosing a feeling you want to protect and then using your camera roll or calendar as a truth-telling inventory to understand what supports that feeling… and what drains it.

This isn’t about resolutions, reinventions, or “new year, new me.” It’s about recognizing a feeling that already lives in you — even if it shows up inconsistently — and learning how to protect it as you move into your next chapter.

Inside this episode, Andrea shares:

• Why choosing one anchor feeling is far more powerful than setting a dozen goals

• How your camera roll and calendar reveal the real story of your year

• The three buckets that help you see your wins, your drains, and your clues

• How patterns point directly to what needs to be protected, released, or re-aligned

• Why boundaries hide in your calendar

• How Andrea’s own year — including breast cancer, recovery, healing, recalibration — led her to choose strength as her feeling to protect

This episode is part grounding, part practical exercise, and part invitation to choose differently before January arrives.

• How to identify the feeling that anchors you

• What your camera roll and planner reveal about your lived experience

• How to gather data about your life without judgment

• How small smile moments and forgotten wins show you what supports you

• Why repeated drains show you exactly where boundaries are needed

• A simple, powerful framework to step into December with intention

Download the step-by-step reflection guide here.

Share it with a friend who might need a moment of clarity before the holidays hit. You never know who needs an anchor feeling right now.

Learn more about coaching or the Roadmap Back to J.O.Y. program: FullyInformedLife.com

Follow Andrea on Instagram: @fullyinformedlifecoaching @thenextchaptHER

There are moments in life that stop you cold — the ones you didn’t schedule, didn’t plan for, and definitely didn’t see coming. The kinds of moments that crack you open and force you to see yourself, your life, and your inner voice through an entirely different lens.

In today’s episode, I’m joined by USA Today bestselling author Cara Lockwood, whose newest book, There’s No Good Book for This (But I Wrote One Anyway), brings humor and raw honesty to the chapter of her life that changed everything: her breast cancer journey.

But our conversation goes far beyond illness. This episode is about mindset, self-talk, and the negative playlist so many women carry without even realizing it. It’s about what happens when life throws a curveball big enough to make you finally hear that inner soundtrack — and the turning point that comes when you decide to rewrite it.

Cara and I dive into reframing old narratives, challenging the stories we’ve absorbed over the years, why asking for help is actually a strength, and what it means to take back control of the pen as you write your next chapter.

Whether you’re currently navigating a heavy season or simply feeling stretched thin, this conversation is your reminder that you are stronger than you think… and you deserve the same grace you so freely give to everyone else.

Rewrite Your Inner Soundtrack (Free Guide): https://fullyinformedlifecoaching.myflodesk.com/hitplayonjoy

Cara Lockwood: Website: https://nogoodbookforthis.com/ Instagram: @cara.the.author | @cara_lockwood

Instagram: @fullyinformedlifecoaching @thenextchapther

Follow my writing + life’s curveball journey on Substack: https://substack.com/@thenextchapther

Explore coaching and resources: https://fullyinformedlife.com