Age of Aging

We often think of dementia as something that affects the oldest among us, and that’s often true; at the Penn Memory Center, the average age of diagnosis is between 70 and 75. In most of those cases, caregiving falls to a spouse, partner, or adult child. But what happens when dementia is diagnosed before the age of 65? 

In this episode of the Age of Aging, we explore early onset dementia and the young caregivers who step up when their lives are just beginning. The stories of teens and young adults reveal the unique challenges of caregiving and what they can teach us about care across all ages. 

We begin with a segment from a recent episode of Science Friday, where Executive Producer Dr. Jason Karlawish discussed the FDA’s recent approval of new diagnostic blood tests for Alzheimer’s disease. Then, Paige Censale shares the life-changing decision she faced: accept a full scholarship to college or stay home as the sole caregiver for her mother. We then learn about Lorenzo’s House, an organization dedicated to supporting young caregivers and families impacted by early onset dementia. Finally, we hear from Sierra, a 16-year-old from South Pasadena California who began caring for her father with early onset dementia when she was just 8 years old.   

Resources 

Special thanks to the Science Friday team, Jason Karlawish, MD, Paige Censale, Diana Cose M. ED, Patti LaFleur M. ED, CPD, Sierra Mercer, and Alison Lynn, MSW, LCSW, for being a part of this episode.  

The Age of Aging is a Penn Memory Center production hosted by Editorial Director Terrence Casey and Producer Jake Johnson, in partnership with the Penn FTD Center, the Penn Institute on Aging, and UPenn’s Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center. Contributors include Nicolette Calcavecchia, Dalia Elsaid, Jason Karlawish, Emily Largent, and Meaghan Sharp. 

The world is getting older—and that reality is what inspired this podcast. Thanks to advances in medicine, healthier lifestyles, and improved living conditions, people are living longer than ever. That’s a good thing. However, longer lives will also require a lot of change from both individuals and society. We will have to prepare now for something earlier generations never considered possible: the second 50 years of our lives. 

In this episode of the Age of Aging, Executive Producer Jason Karlawish speaks with Debra Whitman, Chief Public Policy Officer at AARP, about her new book, The Second Fifty: Answers to the 7 Big Questions of Midlife and Beyond. Together, they explore what it means to plan not just for retirement, but for an entire second half of life—dispelling myths about aging and offering practical insights for the years ahead.  

Resources 

Special thanks to Debra Whitman and Jason Karlawish, MD, for being a part of this episode.  

The Age of Aging is a Penn Memory Center production hosted by Editorial Director Terrence Casey and Producer Jake Johnson, in partnership with the Penn FTD Center, the Penn Institute on Aging, and UPenn’s Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center. Contributors include Nicolette Calcavecchia, Dalia Elsaid, Jason Karlawish, Emily Largent, and Meaghan Sharp. 

The Age of Aging is made possible by generous donors like you. To learn more visit www.pennmemorycenter.org/ageofaging

No one wants to think about their death, let alone talk about it. But having a meaningful conversation with your loved ones about your final days is one of the most important things you can do for them and yourself. End of life is a logistically and emotionally challenging time, so making critical decisions before the process of dying can save you and those around you from further stress and turmoil. Luckily, some experts can help you navigate this time's many legal and emotional complexities.  

On this episode of the Age of Aging, we are talking about death and what it means to plan for your final days.  

First, we speak to death doula Chelsea Duckers about what exactly a death doula does and how one can guide you through the process of end of life. Then, elder law attorney Jerry Rothkoff goes through the legal documents you will want to get in order to prepare for end of life. Finally, we hear from someone who worked with a death doula while preparing for the death of her spouse.  

Resources 

Special thanks to Chelsea Duckers, BSW, CSW, CECC, Jerry Rothkoff, Esq., and Diane Cordell. 

The Age of Aging is a Penn Memory Center production hosted by Editorial Director Terrence Casey and Producer Jake Johnson, in partnership with the Penn FTD Center, the Penn Institute on Aging, and UPenn’s Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center. Contributors include Nicolette Calcavecchia, Dalia Elsaid, Marie Ingegneri, Jason Karlawish, Emily Largent, Meg McCarthy, and Meaghan Sharp. 

The Age of Aging is made possible by generous donors like you. To learn more visit www.pennmemorycenter.org/ageofaging

At the Penn Memory Center, one of the most common questions we hear is: What can I do to keep my brain healthy as I age?  

We often reference diet and exercise as essential tools when it comes to maintaining a healthy brain. There’s another, often-overlooked way to boost brain health, fight depression, and support cognitive resilience. It’s not a pill. It’s not a trend. It’s something far more human: our hands.  

On this episode of the Age of Aging, we explore the power of our hands and why using them intentionally can be an incredible medicine for the mind. 

We begin with Dr. Kelly Lambert, a behavioral neuroscientist at the University of Richmond. She explains the link between our hands, human evolution, and depression. Then, Drs. Vasiliki Meletaki and Gyulten Hyusein from the Penn Center for Neuroaesthetics discuss the benefits of hand movement as we age. Finally, artist Judith Schaechter shares her creative process in crafting stained glass pieces and how working with her hands has shaped her memory, mood, and creativity.   

Resources 

Special thanks to Kelly Lambert, PhD, Vasiliki Meletaki, PhD, Gyulten Hyusein, PhD, and Judith Schaechter for being a part of this episode. 

The Age of Aging is a Penn Memory Center production hosted by Editorial Director Terrence Casey and Producer Jake Johnson, in partnership with the Penn FTD Center, the Penn Institute on Aging, and UPenn’s Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center. Contributors include Nicolette Calcavecchia, Dalia Elsaid, Marie Ingegneri, Jason Karlawish, Emily Largent, Meg McCarthy, and Meaghan Sharp. 

The Age of Aging is made possible by generous donors like you. To learn more visit www.pennmemorycenter.org/ageofaging

In dementia care and research, it’s widely accepted that people living with advanced dementia often lose the ability to connect and communicate as they once did. However, one phenomenon has been the exception to the rule. “Paradoxical lucidity” is a term used to describe brief moments in which individuals with severe dementia suddenly regain clarity, communicate, and reconnect in ways thought to be long lost. While care partners witness and commonly share experiences with clinicians like Dr. Jason Karlawish, paradoxical lucidity remains understudied. In a recent study, Dr. Karlawish partnered with anthropologist Dr. Justin Clapp to explore the meaning and implications of these moments, both for our understanding of dementia and for the people living with it. 

On this Season 3 premiere of the Age of Aging, we explore paradoxical lucidity—what it is, what it reveals, and how it reshapes the experiences of care and connection in the final stages of life.  

We begin with an essay by writer Anne Basting, reflecting on a powerful lucid moment her mother experienced during a holiday meal. Then, we hear from Dr. Karlawish and Dr. Clapp, who explain how their research sheds new light on this phenomenon.  Finally, Elizabeth Donnarumma, a caregiver interviewed for their study, shares what her mother’s lucid moment meant for her.  

Resources 

Special thanks to Anne Basting, Jason Karlawish, MD, Justin Clapp PhD, MPH, and Elizabeth Donnarumma for being a part of this episode. 

The Age of Aging is a Penn Memory Center production hosted by Editorial Director Terrence Casey and Producer Jake Johnson, in partnership with the Penn FTD Center, the Penn Institute on Aging, and UPenn’s Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center. Contributors include Nicolette Calcavecchia, Dalia Elsaid, Marie Ingegneri, Jason Karlawish, Emily Largent, Meg McCarthy, and Meaghan Sharp. 

The Age of Aging is made possible by generous donors like you. To learn more visit www.pennmemorycenter.org/ageofaging

What does spring smell like?  

What do you think is a beautiful sound?  

If those questions made you pause for a second and reflect, that’s exactly the point. These are examples of “beautiful questions,” open-ended prompts designed to push you beyond your everyday thinking and invite you to look at the world a little differently. Writer and artist Anne Basting developed beautiful questions as a way to creatively engage people, particularly older adults with impaired cognition. These questions are part of what Dr. Basting calls “creative care,” a method that fosters meaning, conversation, and storytelling for those who otherwise have difficulty communicating. But anyone can ask and answer a beautiful question.  

In this special bonus episode ahead of season 3 of the Age of Aging, Dr. Basting joins Jake to discuss the power of beautiful questions and shares a couple of her favorites.  

We want to hear from you! 

We’re inviting you, our listeners, to respond to the question: What do you think is a beautiful sound? Your answer could be featured in Episode 1 of Season 3. Call ‪(571) 449-6474 and leave a voicemail with your name, where you’re calling from, and your response. 

Each episode this season will feature a new beautiful question, along with responses from our listeners. There are no right or wrong answers; we want to hear your unique perspectives! 

Resources 

Special thanks to Anne Basting for being a part of this episode. 

The Age of Aging is a Penn Memory Center production hosted by Editorial Director Terrence Casey and Producer Jake Johnson, in partnership with the Penn FTD Center, the Penn Institute on Aging, and UPenn’s Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center. Contributors include Nicolette Calcavecchia, Dalia Elsaid, Marie Ingegneri, Jason Karlawish, Emily Largent, Meg McCarthy, and Meaghan Sharp. 

The Age of Aging is made possible by generous donors like you. To learn more visit www.pennmemorycenter.org/ageofaging

Welcome to a special bonus episode of the Age of Aging! As we bring in the New Year, we're taking a moment to reflect on the key milestones in dementia research and clinical care from 2024 and share our excitement for what's ahead in 2025. Today’s episode features a conversation between three distinguished leaders in dementia research and clinical care at Penn Medicine and beyond.  

Dr. Jason Karlawish is a geriatrician and co-directs the Penn Memory Center. Dr. David Wolk co-directs the Penn Memory Center as well as the Institute on Aging, and is a cognitive neurologist. Finally, Dr. Eddie Lee co-directs the Institute on Aging and is a neuropathologist at UPenn.  

Together, they'll share their highlights from 2024, discuss groundbreaking advancements in the field, and offer their perspectives on where dementia research and care are headed in 2025. 

Don’t worry, regular episodes of the Age of Aging will return in 2025! Until then, we hope you enjoy this insightful conversation on aging to bring in the New Year.  

It’s the season 2 finale of the Age of Aging! To celebrate, we welcomed back guests from Seasons 1 and 2 and asked them to dream big to improve aging in America.  

In this episode, you’ll hear a wide range of ideas: from integrated child and eldercare to ballet training for young adults to walkable communities and many more. This episode is an opportunity to think idealistically about the world, hear ideas from people in the Penn Memory Center community, and develop some ideas of your own. 

Season 3 of the Age of Aging will begin early next year. Subscribe to our Age of Aging news magazine to be the first to know when new episodes drop.   

Resources 

Special thanks to Melissa Kelley, Anne Basting, Anthony Roth Castanzo, Jason Karalawish, MD, Emily Largent, JD, PhD, RN, Kate Lietz, Laynie Dratch, Lynn Cronomiz, Lauren Massismo, PhD, CRNP, FAAN, Meg Kalafsky, and Shana Stites PsyD, MA, MS for being a part of this episode. 

The Age of Aging is a Penn Memory Center production hosted by Editorial Director Terrence Casey and Producer Jake Johnson, in partnership with the Penn FTD Center, the Penn Institute on Aging, and UPenn’s Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center. Contributors include Nicolette Calcavecchia, Dalia Elsaid, Marie Ingegneri, Jason Karlawish, Emily Largent, Meg McCarthy, and Meaghan Sharp. 

The holidays are a time for celebration, joy, and being with loved ones. Unfortunately, it can also be a time that brings stress and anxiety. Between travel, shopping, and managing family dynamics, this season can feel overwhelming. For caregivers and individuals with dementia, these challenges are often magnified. Travel and social gatherings can pose unique difficulties, leaving many caregivers wondering: What will the holidays look like for my loved one and me this year? 

To help you answer this question, we sat down with Director of Social Work at the Penn Memory Center, Alison Lynn, to explore strategies and tips for tackling the holidays. 

First, Alison discusses the difficult but important task of adjusting your expectations for what is possible this year as a caregiver. Then, she lays out some tips for navigating holiday travel, whether by car or plane, with someone who has dementia. Finally, Alison gives advice for managing the actual holiday event, including how other family members can help and the importance of communication during this process. 

Resources 

Special thanks to Alison Lynn MSW, LCSW for being a part of this episode. 

The Age of Aging is a Penn Memory Center production hosted by Editorial Director Terrence Casey and Producer Jake Johnson, in partnership with the Penn FTD Center, the Penn Institute on Aging, and UPenn’s Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center. Contributors include Nicolette Calcavecchia, Dalia Elsaid, Marie Ingegneri, Jason Karlawish, Emily Largent, Meg McCarthy, and Meaghan Sharp. 

Providing equitable aging research and care faces a major barrier: minorities that are disproportionately impacted by dementia are greatly underrepresented. Data shows that Black and African American individuals are twice as a likely to develop dementia. Hispanic and Latino populations are one and a half times as likely. At the core of this issue is what researchers call social and structural determinants of health (SSDOH). These are the ways our health is impacted by social factors in our environment, poverty, racism, and limited access to healthy food. Outreach is the central way research centers, such as those at the Penn Memory Center, attempt to address these disparities. Outreach coordinators attempt to establish ties with local communities, providing educational talks on aging as well encouraging members of the community to sign up for clinical trials. While important, much more is needed in order to overcome these disparities.  

On this episode of the Age of Aging, we explore the disproportionality of dementia’s impact on underrepresented groups and how outreach efforts seek to address that.   

We’ll first learn how PMC Outreach Coordinator, Morgann Adams works to establish ties with black and African American communities in Philadelphia. We will then hear from Dr. Eddie Lee about how social factors physically change a person’s brain as they age. Finally, Reverend Leroy Miles discusses the relationship between Enon Tabernacle Church and the Penn Memory Center and the aging needs of his community.  

 Resources 

Special thanks to Morgann Adams, Eddie Lee, MD, PhD, and Reverend Leroy Miles for being a part of this episode. 

The Age of Aging is a Penn Memory Center production hosted by Editorial Director Terrence Casey and Producer Jake Johnson, in partnership with the Penn FTD Center, the Penn Institute on Aging, and UPenn’s Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center. Contributors include Nicolette Calcavecchia, Dalia Elsaid, Marie Ingegneri, Jason Karlawish, Emily Largent, Meg McCarthy, and Meaghan Sharp.