Home is where many older adults wish to age. However, many homes are not set up as age-friendly environments. Aging in place at home can result in accidents and falls—more than one in four older adults falls each year. Listen to this podcast to learn more about key aspects of aging in place, emphasizing the significance of home safety and fall-prevention measures. Learn more about empowering older adults to maintain their independence safely and confidently within the comfort of their homes ..read more

While our brain plays a crucial role as the command center of our body, it often doesn't receive the attention it deserves. As we age, the risk of cognitive impairment increases, but here's the good news—research indicates there is plenty we can do proactively to keep our brains sharp and reduce the risk of cognitive decline. Listen to this episode to learn more about proactive strategies for maintaining optimal brain health ..read more

As we age, there are important legal documents we should all have in place. This is particularly true for older adults. However, people often wait until a crisis to make legal decisions, which for some may be too late. While planning ahead for a person’s legal needs is ideal, it can be challenging to understand which legal documents are needed and where to begin. Listen to this podcast to learn more about the legal needs of aging and the importance of proactive planning ..read more

Anyone working in healthcare today knows the importance of reducing hospital or rehabilitation facility readmissions. Older adults are at risk for readmissions if they lack proper support at home. The days following the transition back to the home can be crucial to keeping the older adult safe. However, older adults and their families may not be prepared for all that is involved in the person’s care as they adjust to their old environment. Listen to this episode to learn how support and help at home can be crucial to a successful transition and reduce the risk of readmission ..read more

Interest in intimacy exists throughout the lifespan and should be supported in later life. This topic is often controversial and misunderstood in society and therefore, professionals and families can be reluctant to openly discuss. It is important to acknowledge that emotional and physical intimacy are forms of showing love and caring, regardless of gender or sexual orientation. Listen to learn more about romantic relationships, sexual desires and intimacy needs of older adults. Also learn about how best to address common concerns such as sexual health, family dynamics and cognitive issues ..read more

The topic of driving is often one that involves a lot of emotions. For many, driving equates to independence and the freedom to go when and where you want. As a person ages, it can be helpful to openly communicate about driving abilities and safety, rather than doing so due to a crisis such as a crash or a “close call.” Families often turn to professionals for guidance and insights on how to talk about driving and the best approach to taking away the keys. Listen to this podcast to learn about the importance of developing a plan to help older adults move out of the driver’s seat when necessary ..read more

Among the tens of millions of family caregivers, about 12% of them are caring for an ill or disabled spouse or partner. Elements of caring for a spouse or partner differ from other types of caregiving relationships. On average, spousal caregivers provide more hours of caregiving, do more intense care-related tasks and do it all with less assistance compared to other types of caregivers. Professionals who understand the nuances of spousal caregiving can be better positioned to help these individuals ..read more

Grief can take many forms and people tend to deal with grief in different ways. Grief is typically thought of in the context of the death of a friend or loved one. However, people can grieve in other ways such as the loss of independence or during a major life transition. Another form of grief called ambiguous loss, is loss without closure. This commonly occurs in those caring for a loved one living with dementia. They feel as if they are watching the person they once knew change or “slip away.” As professionals, we should be aware of the different types of grief and how this may affect the ol ..read more

The highest healthcare spending years of our lives happen after age 65. While older adults are high-volume healthcare users, unfortunately, ageism is evident in healthcare practices today. Ageism can show up in subtle ways such as talking to an adult daughter instead of the older adult in the examination room, brushing off an older patient’s complaint as part of the normal aging process, or in more significant ways such as assuming a treatment plan based on a person’s age. Healthcare providers and other professionals in the healthcare system need to be aware of such ageist practices and how to ..read more

Ageism is ingrained in our society and culture whether we like to admit it or not. The way older adults are referenced and depicted in the media, popular culture and even in the health and beauty industries helps to paint a picture that aging is something to dread and make light of. These depictions also help to reinforce negative mindsets and stereotypes about growing older. As professionals, we need to be aware of how ageism impacts our work with the older adults we serve and recognize opportunities to reinforce positive views of aging. This podcast addresses ageism and how everyone can make ..read more