Caregiving Crisis, Questions to Ask Your Elders, Memory Care Marketing, Resistance to Disability Self Identifying 12-16-25
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 marketing tactics, emphasizing the importance of authentic representation and community engagement.
Ellen Khalifa presented an article about the stigma around disability labels, noting that older adults often resist identifying as disabled despite needing accommodations. In our discussion we noted some states like Montana and Texas may particularly value the appearance of being self-sufficient.
Linda Sherman, Ray Gordon and Elizabeth Magallon Fleury provided commentary.
Presented by Debbie Howard, Aging Matters International
NY Times Opinion 11/24/25 We Had No Idea What Was Coming – the Caregiving Crisis by Michelle Cottle
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/24/opinion/caregiving-crisis.html
NY Times 11-24-25 Five Questions to Ask Your Elders over the Holidays by Dana G Smith
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/24/well/interviewing-older-relatives-questions.html
Before they die or before they are affected by dementia
Elizabeth Magallon Fleury found this related article that is a student assignment https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/25/learning/what-have-you-always-wanted-to-know-about-an-older-family-member.html
Presented by Benjamin Surmi, Koelsch Communities
Senior Housing News 12-11-25 Memory Care Marketing by Andrew Christman
https://seniorhousingnews.com/2025/12/11/perception-shift-how-commonwealth-heritage-northbridge-are-retelling-the-story-of-memory-care/
Linda referred to 10-9-25 Living Choices – Nursing Homes Explained with Benjamin Surmi, Erin Hart and film maker Peter Murphy Lewis
Presented by Ellen Khalifa, Habits Coach for Healthspan and Wellspan
KFF Health News via NY Times 12-11 Disability Label Controversy by Paula Span
https://kffhealthnews.org/news/article/older-people-disability-ada-michigan/
“Several studies have found that patients who identify as disabled have less depression and anxiety, higher self-esteem, and a greater sense of “self-efficacy” than disabled people who don’t.”
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