45 Forward

Growing up in Concord, Mass., Ryan McEniff went off to college in Rhode Island, where he studied business administration, and then headed west to Colorado to enjoy the sunshine, skiing, and the great outdoors. But in 2011 his plans suddenly changed. After his mother was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer, he moved to Florida to support her during her last few months of life. It was through that experience that he ultimately decided to fulfill his dream of becoming a business owner by taking over a home care company, helping families in the same way that others had helped him and my parents. In today’s episode, Ryan describes his 10-year journey in becoming a passionate advocate for seniors, building one of the premier home care providers in his region, and creating the widely recognized podcast, “The Caregiver’s Toolbox.” Ryan will talk about what families should look for in home care services, including new ways that technology is being implemented to improve the level of care, lower costs and make home care more affordable. He’ll highlight some of the latest tech innovations, such as remote monitoring systems that not only provide fall detection alerts, but customize analytics to improve care plans. And Ryan will discuss his involvement and advocacy in multiple associations where the core mission is to educate families on their options regarding aging in place, providing “actionable information” and resources to ensure exceptional home care with proper support, safety and dignity.

As we get older, the odds that any of us will need some type of long-term care grows dramatically. In fact, for someone is turning 65 today, there’s almost a 70 percent chance they will need at least a few years of long-term care services and supports in their remaining years. But finding the right kinds of care—and ways to afford it—can be a formidable task. Long-term care options are often complicated and expensive, and can arise suddenly, through an unexpected health crisis. Increasingly, many average American families are turning to support from Medicaid—but qualifying for these programs can still be complex, stressful and confusing. In today’s episode, Guido Derlly, the Founder and Emics Elder Care, talks about his mission to help people understand their long-term care options and guide them through each step of the Medicaid application process. A Certified Medicaid Planner, Guido will explain how he works with families to plan an elder’s finances so they can obtain Medicaid benefits that will help secure the best personalized options for at-home care, long-term custodial care agency or a skilled nursing care facility. Guido will outline the basics of Medicaid eligibility, including recent regulatory changes, and he’ll dismantle some common misconceptions, lack of information and fears about Medicaid. Guido will explain ways to restructure and reorganize assets, using trusts and other financial strategies that allow families to hold on to some of their legacy—you don’t have to be destitute to qualify—and under certain circumstances, enable your loved ones to receive home-care treatments at no cost before they are approved for Medicaid. More broadly, Guido will talk about his role as an advocate for the vulnerable elderly, working with other professionals to raise awareness about programs, ensuring that families get connected to care as soon as possible—and know that they don’t have to climb this challenging mountain alone.

Today’s episode is the final chapter of a 3-part conversation that I began earlier this summer, focusing on of a terrific book, What Went Right: Lessons from Both Sides of the Teacher’s Desk, by co-authors Roberta Israeloff and George McDermott. Roberta was one of my classmates at Syosset High School on Long Island in the late 1960s and has remained a long-time friend. George was our 11th Grade American Lit teacher at Syosset. Roberta, a career writer and author, is currently the Director of the nonprofit Squire Family Foundation, dedicated to encouraging the teaching of philosophy at pre-college levels. And George, a writer and poet, has had several teaching jobs, as well as extensive editorial experience in several business and media fields over several decades. In my last conversation with Roberta and George in July, we elaborated on some of their recollections and perspectives during their earlier teaching experiences, which were detailed in their book. We went on to focus on what’s changed (or not) in public education, society and in their own lives, inside and outside the classroom. In today’s show, we’ll continue our discussion of significant shifts and trends in public education that George and Roberta have observed—some of which have spurred considerable debate, such as the application of more corporate approaches to education…and questions about how much education should be linked to the training of students more specifically for future jobs. We’ll take a longer look at the true meaning of lifelong learning. And finally, I’ll ask Roberta and George to offer some parting takeaways from their collaborative exploration of education over their lifetimes, what they discovered about themselves in the process, and how we can all continue this conversation that ultimately teaches us to be human.

Life is challenging for everyone these days. If it’s not one bill, it’s another. If it’s not culture wars, it’s inflation. We’re faced with constant feelings of insecurity, not knowing if we will be OK tomorrow. So how do we lighten up amid all this chaos? In today’s episode, columnist Jerry Zezima, an unshakeable humorist, syndicated newspaper columnist and author of six books, including most recently “One for the Ageless,” talks about his craft and why laughter is so important in keeping us sane and healthy—especially through our elder years. Academic experts who study humor (yes, they do exist) regrettably point out that most people start to lose their sense of humor starting around age 23—and it doesn’t rebound until our retirement years. At the same time, we’ve also learned that laughter, while perhaps not literally the best medicine, is very good for our health—like vegetables or therapy, only more fun. Psychologists and physicians cite lots of research showing the many benefits of humor, especially as we age. It relieves stress, helps ease anxiety and depression. It supports our immune system, helps lower blood pressure, and relaxes our muscles. But Jerry did not become a humorist for his health. He writes with a lens focused on laughter because that’s who he’s always been (it didn’t t stop at age 23) and because he is relentlessly curious, exploring life for small, unexpected moments of connection—or incongruity. He is an incurable pundit. He has made many radio and television appearances; done several YouTube videos, is a popular public speaker, and he is writing a sitcom. Whatever the venue, he will nudge you with gentle humor until you surrender to a smile. He has the time. His still has an active family life in so-called retirement, with his wife, two daughters, and five grandchildren. But, he insists, he has no interesting hobbies.

A few months ago, Dr. Sherry Kelly, a widely recognized neuropsychologist, was a guest on 45 Forward, talking about how we can maintain mental wellness in an age of social media overload—on top of the social isolation, trauma and anxiety brought on by a deadly pandemic.In today’s episode, Dr. Kelly rejoins our conversation, along with an eminent physio-psychologist Dr. Gerard Meyer, the CEO of the Mental Wellness Society International, to talk about another dire mental health crisis: the daily struggles of families in Ukraine, trying to cope and indeed, survive, amid the uncertainties of war. Drs. Kelly and Meyer are members of a tireless corps of professionals who are working with their colleagues in Ukraine to support families in need of daily support and services. Each week, they offer a range of programs, services and training to help caregivers, teachers, health care providers and volunteers. In today’s conversation, they’ll describe their efforts to bring people together, coordinating with other relief initiatives and humanitarian organizations to help families prepare and focus on crisis responses and strategies to mobilize them to action—what they can do to make things right. In a broader context, Drs. Kelly and Meyer will also talk about the vision of the Mental Wellness Society: to unite experts in making mental wellness a global movement, promoting mental wellness as something more sustainable in our daily lives, than a reactive, treatment-based mental health practice.

At a time of sharp political and cultural divisions, many of us yearn for earlier days when we had a vision for peace and understanding across the world. Despite daunting obstacles, there are thousands of people who continue to pursue this vision—one small step at a time—even into their retirement years. In today’s episode, we talk with Jackie Agdern and Jim Glasser, members of Friendship Force International, a nonprofit organization focused on promoting understanding, cultural education and citizen diplomacy through home stay Journeys and personal friendships. Jackie and Jim, who are active members of the New York metro area chapter of Friendship Force, will explain how Friendship Force brings people together at the personal level through its signature program of home hospitality. In a typical program, a local club prepares an itinerary of cultural activities, inviting members from clubs in other states or countries to stay with them in their homes for up to a week. Jackie and Jim will describe some of their memorable journeys over the years, and what they learned about other cultures and lifestyles when given the opportunity to “ put your feet up on the kitchen table and get to know people.” Founded in 1977, Friendship Force now has 15,000 active members in 350 clubs worldwide. In today’s conversation, you’ll learn how to get involved with a Friendship Force club in your area, host international visitors in your home or join a cultural travel program formed around common interests such as gardening, hiking or wine. Through these personal encounters,strangers become friends, and we by experiencing different views, we can discover common ground.

Today’s 45 Forward episode is Chapter 2 of a unique, 3-part conversation, focusing on of a fascinating book, What Went Right: Lessons from Both Sides of the Teacher’s Desk, by the co-authors Roberta Israeloff and George McDermott. Roberta, a long-time friend, was one of my classmates at Syosset High School on Long Island in the late 1960s; George was our 11th Grade American Lit teacher. Roberta, a lifelong writer and author, is currently the Director of the nonprofit Squire Family Foundation, dedicated to encouraging the teaching of philosophy at pre-college levels. And George, now a writer and poet, has had several teaching jobs , as well as extensive editorial experience in several business and media fields over the course of his career. In my first conversation with George on June 13th, we talked about how he and Roberta reconnected after more than 50 years on social media and began a steady correspondence that evolved into a provocative exchange about their perspectives over several decades, from inside and outside the classroom, which ultimately turned into their book, What Went Right—essentially a story of their own “lifelong learning” experiences. Everything from what they’ve learned about the roles of teachers as instructors and mentors; to the continuous debates over curriculum and standardized testing; to the fundamental questions about how education should prepare young people to be “human”—that is, discerning and productive citizens in a complex, often unpredictable world. George and I talked about his early experiences at Syosset with Roberta, and I shared some of my own recollections of that time, looking back at how things were—not so much with nostalgia, but rather, reflecting on what they meant, given changing perspectives and experiences over the course of a lifetime. Today, we’re going to continue the conversation with Roberta, focusing more on what’s changed in public education, society and their own lives since Syosset High School. It’s a decidedly different spin on the concept of “lifelong learning” as we get older, one of the most important ingredients to healthy aging. It's a story about teaching and learning, but also what we’ve learned about ourselves.

July has always been a pivotal month of the year, the halfway point when we look back at the events of the last six months and look ahead to the potential for the second half. In a way, it’s a snapshot of our theme for 45 Forward—looking forward to the second half of life that (hopefully) will be even better than the first. But as we close the books on the first half of 2022, there are lots of worries about our uncertain future, especially the economy. Inflation is the highest level since 1981; we’re in shock over gas and food prices and supply chain disruptions; the S & P 500 experienced its worst first-half decline in five decades. Not to mention the troubling impact of the war in Ukraine and continuing questions about the state of COVID, both at home and abroad. Where on earth are we headed? In today’s episode, we talk with Michael Hartzman, a Wall Street veteran who specializes in retirement planning, education, elder and estate planning, life insurance and long-term care. Michael is the co-host of a national weekly business podcast, The Lebenthal Report, a business show that keeps investors informed about the current market conditions, opportunities and risks, breaking down today’s complex stories into easily understood concepts. Michael will offer insights into how we can continue to face the ongoing anxieties during the next phases of our life—providing the income to meet the expenses of a fulfilling retirement while also putting money aside for the things that keep us up at night: the inevitable “Uh ohs” and the “I didn’t see that coming.” Ultimately, his goal is to help us create and sustain a low-stress plan for our financial success and security.

Many aging experts become focused on the field of gerontology when they become, well, older. Not so with Carly Roman. Carly’s interest was first piqued as a high school student on Long Island, when she founded a local chapter of GlamourGals, a national group that provides free makeup and manicures, in addition to social connection, for older adults. Through her undergraduate and graduate education, culminating with a PhD degree at the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, Carly founded two more local chapters of GlamourGals—and along the way has broadened her compassion for seniors into a passion for developing pragmatic programs that benefit older adults and those who support them. In today’s episode, Carly, currently the Innovation Manager at the Motion Picture & Television Fund in southern California, will talk about her core philosophy of “positive psychology”—shedding light on the positive aspects of aging—and “generativity,” the feeling of meaningfully contributing to another person’s well-being—as well as yourself. In her current position, she focuses on strategies to provide health and wellness, social services, and programs for working and retired members of the entertainment industry. More broadly, she is committed to bridging the gap between research and practice to ensure that older adults have opportunities to feel valued and stay socially connected through intergenerational programs. Drawing from her varied experiences, including those through the National Science Foundation, the Archstone Foundation and Dorot, Carly will talk about her vision for an age-integrative, rather than age-segregated society. How do we change our age “silos” to create enriching experiences for all ages? How do we shift resources to deal with the reality of people living longer, reconciling the desire for independence above all, while still being safe? And how do we paint a more realistic picture of the aging process? Not that age doesn’t matter, but that people should be valued, first, for their achievement, so that we no longer find ourselves saying, “Well, that’s really amazing—for someone their age!”

For many decades, the words “work” and “office” were virtually synonymous. But after two years of COVID-induced remote and hybrid work, one thing seems abundantly clear: The future of work is likely to be very different from the past. Many organizations are struggling to get employees back to the office, after millions of workers left their jobs—some laid off, but many others looking for higher paying, more fulfilling jobs, as well a more flexible, balanced lifestyle. In today’s episode, Professor Lynda Gratton, a renowned thought-leader and consultant on the future of work, talks about “what is undoubtedly the greatest global shift in work for a century.” Even as many of us enter the second half of our working lives, is there a chance to radically redesign the way we work? In her recently published book, “Redesigning Work,” Lynda Gratton uses her 30 years of research into the technological, demographic, cultural and social trends shaping work to present an innovative framework to help make hybrid work policies work for everyone. In today’s conversation Lynda will examine several key questions facing hybrid work redesign. How do organizations design ways to boost both creativity and productivity, while also providing the flexibility people crave? How do we determine when it’s better for employees to work face-to-face, and when is productivity actually enhanced through virtual design? And how do we create hybrid environments that work well for a range of employees—and that people feel is fair and equitable over the longer term? Lynda, who founded London-based HSM Advisory over a decade ago, will also offer several prominent examples of forward-looking organizations that are successfully navigating the journey to redesign work that is more engaging, flexible and ultimately more productive.