This week on the Art of Aging, host Rev. Beth Long-Higgins welcomes social gerontologist Jeanette Leardi, social gerontologist, community educator, public speaker, and author of the recently published book, “Aging Sideways: Changing Our Perspectives on Getting Older.” During the conversation, Jeanette discusses strategies for positive aging, including being flexible, skeptical, broad-minded, and daring. Jeanette also addresses ageism, sharing personal experiences of combating stereotypes, such as writing to a greeting card company to protest age-discriminatory cards. She emphasizes the "power of one" - how individuals can make meaningful changes by speaking out against age-related discrimination. Key takeaways include the importance of intergenerational relationships, challenging negative aging stereotypes, recognizing older adults as valuable, resilient contributors to society, and so much more. 

Highlights from this week’s conversation include:

• Jeanette’s Path to Gerontology (2:22)
• Defining Social Gerontology (4:27)
• Challenging Aging Stereotypes and Dementia Myths (5:17)
• The Concept of “Aging Sideways” (6:18)
• Strategy #1: Flexibility and Humor (8:40)
• Strategy #2: Skepticism and Reframing Narratives (10:33)
• Strategy #3: Broad-Mindedness and “Yes, And” (12:21)
• Strategy #4: Daring and Intergenerational Relationships (14:09)
• Metaphors: Weeds and “Over the Hill” (17:16)
• Resilience and Mastery in Aging (20:05)
• The Power of One: Advocacy and Change (22:16)
• Influence in Everyday Life and Media (26:09)
• Resources for Combating Ageism (29:12)
• Competency vs. Age Limits (34:23)
• Connecting with Jeanette at jeanetteleardi.com (37:14)
• Abundant Aging Questions to Close (37:47)
• Final Thoughts and Takeaways (41:49)

Abundant Aging is a podcast series presented by United Church Homes. These shows offer ideas, information, and inspiration on how to improve our lives as we grow older. To learn more and to subscribe to the show, visit abundantagingpodcast.com. 

This week on the Art of Aging, host Rev. Beth Long-Higgins welcomes Erin Maruzzella, Founder and Managing Partner of Healthspan Business Partners. Erin shares her journey from speech therapy to systems thinking in healthcare and technology. She discusses the critical intersections of aging, digital access, and AI, emphasizing the importance of upstream problem-solving and inclusive design. Erin also explores the digital divide, highlighting how technology can both connect and exclude older adults, and warns about the potential risks of AI, stressing the need for careful, ethical implementation. Her key message is that aging is a lifelong process, and communities should focus on supporting transitions and creating systems that serve people of all ages. Through personal stories and professional insights, she advocates for age-positive perspectives, cross-sector collaboration, thoughtful innovation that considers long-term societal impacts, and so much more.

Highlights from this week’s conversation include:

• Erin’s Journey into the Aging Space (1:29)
• Systems Thinking and Aging (5:01)
• Smart Cities and Age-Friendly Communities (8:48)
• Upstreamist Thinking in Aging (13:58)
• AI and Downstream Implications (16:16)
• AI in Combating Loneliness and Grief (21:21)
• Language, Ageism, and AI (25:24)
• Reverse Engineering in Aging (30:04)
• Personal Reflections on Aging (37:10)
• Final Thoughts and Takeaways (41:45)

Abundant Aging is a podcast series presented by United Church Homes. These shows offer ideas, information, and inspiration on how to improve our lives as we grow older. To learn more and to subscribe to the show, visit abundantagingpodcast.com. 

Highlights from this week’s conversation include:

• Documentary Filmmaking Importance (2:32)
• The Impact of Documentaries (3:55)
• Keeping Biases in Check (7:43)
• Creative Process and Audience Engagement (11:16)
• Empowerment Through Film (14:18)
• Real-Time Feedback from Screenings (18:51)
• Loneliness Epidemic and Documentary Response (23:02)
• Personal Impact of Caregiving (26:36)
• Choosing Future Projects (29:03)
• Aging Perspectives (33:16)
• Final Thoughts and Takeaways (36:37)

Abundant Aging is a podcast series presented by United Church Homes. These shows offer ideas, information, and inspiration on how to improve our lives as we grow older. To learn more and to subscribe to the show, visit abundantagingpodcast.com. 

Highlights from this week’s conversation include:

• Welcoming Amy to the Podcast (1:28)
• Amy's Passion for Aging (2:38)
• Basics of the OMA Program (8:11)
• Empowering Artists in OMA (9:33)
• The Importance of Naming Art (12:02)
• Mental Health and OMA (14:59)
• Adapting OMA Post-Pandemic (17:55)
• OMA at Home Pilot Program (19:45)
• Respite Adaptation of OMA (20:41)
• Getting Started with OMA (23:10)
• Global Impact of OMA (25:11)
• Abundant Aging Questions for Amy (27:25)
• Influential Figures in Aging (30:16)
• Connecting with OMA and Parting Thoughts (32:50)

Abundant Aging is a podcast series presented by United Church Homes. These shows offer ideas, information, and inspiration on how to improve our lives as we grow older. To learn more and to subscribe to the show, visit abundantagingpodcast.com. 

Highlights from this week’s conversation include:

• Welcome Sherrill to the Podcast (1:02)
• Engaging with the LGBTQ+ Community (2:48)
• Refusal to Be Invisible (5:03)
• Creating Safe Spaces (8:12)
• Sherrill’s Journey into LGBTQ+ Advocacy (11:05)
• Supporting Grandparents of LGBTQ+ Youth (15:03)
• Advocacy Through Personal Connections (19:25)
• SAGE Table Program (22:58)
• SAGE Hear Me Program (24:12)
• National Resource Center on LGBTQ+ Aging (26:03)
• Long Term Care Equality Index (27:28)
• Abundant Aging Questions for Sherrill (30:38)
• Final Thoughts and Takeaways (32:37)

Abundant Aging is a podcast series presented by United Church Homes. These shows offer ideas, information, and inspiration on how to improve our lives as we grow older. To learn more and to subscribe to the show, visit abundantagingpodcast.com. 

Highlights from this week’s conversation include:

• Daphne's Background and the story of RFA (1:23)
• Scaling the Model (4:34)
• From Local to National (5:27)
• Volunteer Training (11:36)
• Signature Stories of the Ministry (13:15)
• Community Connection (18:06)
• Essentials for Starting an RFA chapter (20:59)
• Respite Program Overview (23:44)
• Foundation Growth (25:51)
• Volunteer Impact (27:58)
• Dementia-Friendly Services (32:09)
• Upcoming Documentary (35:18)
• Training Opportunities (36:05)
• Abundant Aging Questions for Daphne (37:48)
• Connecting with Respite for All and Parting Thoughts (40:51)

Abundant Aging is a podcast series presented by United Church Homes. These shows offer ideas, information, and inspiration on how to improve our lives as we grow older. To learn more and to subscribe to the show, visit abundantagingpodcast.com. 

Highlights from this week’s conversation include:

• Beth's Background and Journey to OAAAA (1:15)
• Legal Aid and Advocacy (2:20)
• Understanding Area Agencies on Aging (5:23)
• Challenges in Awareness (8:46)
• Changing Perceptions of Aging (10:56)
• The Role of Reframing Aging (12:52)
• Impact of Language on Policy (14:19)
• Personal Transformations (17:49)
• Age-Friendly Messaging (22:10)
• Understanding Ageism (24:30)
• Promoting Advocacy (26:30)
• Abundant Aging Question for Beth (29:59)
• Final Thoughts and Takeaways (31:18)

Abundant Aging is a podcast series presented by United Church Homes. These shows offer ideas, information, and inspiration on how to improve our lives as we grow older. To learn more and to subscribe to the show, visit abundantagingpodcast.com. 

Highlights from this week’s conversation include:

• Lisa’s Background and Founder Journey (1:26)
• Inspiration Behind Ōmcare (2:13)
• Challenges of Medication Management (6:37)
• Remote Assistance for Medication (9:29)
• User-Triggered Assistance (11:37)
• Interventions for Non-Adherence (15:12)
• Biometric Integration (17:15)
• Camera-Based Biometrics (18:22)
• Role of Home Care Technology (20:58)
• AI in Medication Management (22:22)
• Companionship through AI (25:24)
• Finding Home Care Services (27:00)
• Abundant Aging Questions for Lisa (27:38)
• Connecting with Ōmcare and Parting Thoughts (30:12)

Abundant Aging is a podcast series presented by United Church Homes. These shows offer ideas, information, and inspiration on how to improve our lives as we grow older. To learn more and to subscribe to the show, visit abundantagingpodcast.com. 

Highlights from this week’s conversation include:

• Inspiration Behind the Institute (1:42)
• Akron Art Museum's Mission (4:22)
• Feedback from Participants (7:50)
• Community and Collaboration (10:20)
• Legacy of Artistic Creation (12:32)
• Art Glass Workshop Experience (15:24)
• Intergenerational Connections (19:35)
• Studio 55 Plus Initiative (22:02)
• Community Building Through Art (25:17)
• Art as Communication (26:19)
• Evolving Definitions of Creativity (28:10)
• Tour of Artistic Creations (31:14)
• Abundant Aging Questions for Merry (32:02)
• Final Thoughts and Takeaways (38:03)

Abundant Aging is a podcast series presented by United Church Homes. These shows offer ideas, information, and inspiration on how to improve our lives as we grow older. To learn more and to subscribe to the show, visit abundantagingpodcast.com. 

Highlights from this week’s conversation include:

• Janine’s Background and Journey to Changing the Narrative (1:24)
• Entering the Ageism Movement (4:59)
• Focus on Workplace Age Discrimination (8:10)
• Challenges of Ageism in the Workforce (9:20)
• Intergenerational Relationships (10:22)
• Addressing Stereotypes (11:31)
• The Importance of Collaboration (14:03)
• Empowering Older Individuals (16:39)
• Assumptions About Aging (18:58)
• Creating an Anti-Bucket List (21:52)
• Connecting with Others (25:12)
• Importance of Authentic Connections (26:52)
• Connecting with Janine and Changing the Narrative (30:31)
• Final Thoughts and Takeaways (33:19)

Abundant Aging is a podcast series presented by United Church Homes. These shows offer ideas, information, and inspiration on how to improve our lives as we grow older. To learn more and to subscribe to the show, visit abundantagingpodcast.com.