Dementia and Brain Health
Debbie Howard presented two articles: one on the caregiving crisis, highlighting the increasing stress and financial strain on caregivers, with the average caregiving duration at 4.5 years and rising caregiving hours. The second article focuses on questions to ask elders over the holidays to capture their life stories. Benjamin Surmi shared insights on memory care…
In this News for the Ages episode Benjamin Surmi highlighted the trend of senior living communities on college campuses, noting the financial benefits to colleges but warned of the challenges of integrating seniors into campus life. Many of them are not able to offer what senior living residents had hoped for. Buyer beware. Elizabeth Magallon…
October is National Family History Month. November is National Family Caregivers Month and National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month. This Ending Well themed episode of the Rethinking Aging Club Podcast featured three speakers discussing memory preservation innovations. Charlie Greene of Remento shared how his platform helps families preserve stories of aging relatives through AI-powered interviews, achieving…
October is Long-term Care Residents Rights Month October. October 9, 2025 is Ageism Awareness Day. Recorded on October 9, 2025, this episode is part of our Living Choices Series. Our goal was to explain through discussion with experts what “nursing homes” are as the term is used far too generically by many journalists. We touched…
Debbie Howard presented on “SuperAgers,” highlighting research from Northwestern University showing that sociability and a thicker cingulate gyrus region are key factors. Elizabeth Magallon Fleury discussed an article from Kiplinger on aging in place, emphasizing the importance of self-assessment, home modifications, and community support. The Kiplinger article featured quotes from Occupational Therapist Carol Chang who…
August is Wellness Month. We focused on Wellness Products. Miri Berger from 6Degrees explained their technology converting human motion into digital commands, aiding independence and pain reduction, with ongoing clinical trials at the VA and Mass General Brigham. Dr. Namrata Bagaria from Music and Memory Junction highlighted their nostalgia-based music engagement for cognitive and emotional…
Benjamin Surmi highlighted a significant study reported by NPR July 28, 2025, showing that structured lifestyle changes, including exercise and diet, can improve brain health and reduce dementia risk. The Alzheimer’s Association’s $40 million commitment to implementing these findings was noted. Ellen Khalifa discussed the importance of protein intake during menopause, emphasizing its role in…