The PACE Plan: Preparing for What’s Next with Marilyn Olson

Sara and Lisa sit down with aging advocate and speaker Marilyn Olson, former Executive Director of Villages OKC and the Oklahoma Governor’s representative to the State Council on Aging. Marilyn shares practical wisdom for adult children navigating life with aging parents and introduces the simple but powerful PACE Plan—Primary, Alternate, Contingency, and Emergency.

This thoughtful framework helps families think ahead, communicate clearly, and prepare for the unexpected when it comes to caregiving and decision-making. Marilyn also offers perspective on how we can all approach aging with intention, positivity, and preparedness.

Plus, she shares a few of her favorite documentaries that spark important conversations about aging, caregiving, and the brain: My Love Affair with the Brain, Being Mortal, and Age of Champions.

Whether you’re already supporting aging parents or just beginning to think about what the future might hold, this episode offers practical guidance and encouragement for the journey.