Aging Matters

Conversation w/ Aaron Zajdel, LCSW, Care Connections Manager, Goodwin Living, Northern VA, about steps involved in advanced care planning, issues to consider when preparing for future medical decisions, and completion of an advance directive to document and communicate health care wishes.

Conversation w/ Dianne Stone, Associate Director of Community Partnerships and Network Activation, National Council on Aging (NCOA), about senior center roles in the community, programs and services, benefits to older adults and their families, and winners of the 2026 NCOA Senior Center Programs of Excellence Awards.

Conversation w/ Barbara Sullivan, National Director, Village-to-Village Network, and Wendy Zenker, Executive Director, Arlington Neighborhood Village (ANV), about the village movement in the U.S., village models, services, and programs, and ANV’s work in the community.

Conversation w/ Ashley Plauche, Senior Director Brand Marketing, American Association for Homecare, about home medical products and equipment, what consumers need to know when buying them, and tips about use and safety.

Conversation w/ Elana Kieffer Blass, MBA, Director of Strategic Alliances, Gerontological Society of America (GSA), about opioid use by older adults, recognition and response to opioid overdose, and the GSA report regarding pain management and opioid safety

Conversation w/ Jacinda Shapiro, RN BSN, Certified Diabetes Care & Education Specialist, and Owner, EmpowerMe Diabetes Health, about diabetes types, risk factors, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment, and how older adults with diabetes can address underlying causes and adopt new wellness routines to stay healthy.

Conversation w/ Sharon Terry, CEO, Genetic Alliance, about genetic factors and genetic disorders, pros and cons of genetic testing, and Genetic Alliance resources.

Conversation w/ Charlie Sabatino, JD, independent consultant on aging and law, about traditional nursing home care shortcomings, development of new nursing home models, and how these models benefit residents and their families. 

Conversation w/ Steve Irwin, President/CEO, National Reverse Mortgage Lenders Association, https://www.nrmlaonline.org/, about how reverse mortgages work including application requirements, how to know if it’s the best option, and finding the right lender.

Conversation w/ Kurt E. Gray, Principal, KEG Consulting, LLC Driver Safety Services, and Author, Planning Your Driving Retirement: A Practical Guide for Aging Drivers and Their Families, about health issues older drivers face, benefits of driving skills evaluation programs, and planning for driving retirement.