Aldersgate OnAir

As we age, it becomes increasingly important to plan for our futures. How and where we choose to live is often at the top of the list of things to consider. For many people, a multitude of factors must be taken into consideration before deciding whether to move into a continuing care retirement community or to age in place at home and enlist the services of healthcare professionals. Quality of life, available family assistance, the state of one’s health, and the desire for independence consistently rank as the top deciding factors on which road to take for ourselves or a loved one.

Fortunately, Aldersgate provides pathways for all avenues of care, including their innovative and highly successful service known as Aldersgate At Home, which empowers elders to stay safely independent and also gives family care partners the added support they need so they can take care of themselves with total peace of mind, knowing their loved ones are in good hands.

We are joined today by Molly Martin, Director of Aldersgate at Home (A@H) , as well as Brooks Shelley,  Aldersgate Chief Brand Strategy & Community Engagement Officer Brooks Shelly, for an informative discussion about  the various features and benefits of A@H, such as quality personal care, health and support services, technological enhancements, the admissions process, and most importantly the personal connections and lasting relationships that are built between Aldersgate’s clients, staff, and family members.

Aldersgate at Home Links:

www.aldersgateathome.org

www.facebook.com/AldersgateAtHome

www.instagram.com/aldersgatathome

www.aldersgateliving.org

www.facebook.com/AldersgateSeniorLivingCommunity

www.instagram.com/aldersgatenc

#aldersgateNC #aldersgateLiving  #charlotte #eastcharlotte #retirementcommunity #wehonorelders #homecareagency #aldersgateathome #A@H #homecare

According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, approximately 37.5 million people in the United States have reported having some trouble hearing. With age itself being the largest predicting factor in hearing loss, the population most affected are those between the ages 60-69. That being said, people of all ages and health conditions can be affected.  Needless to say, if you're living with one of the many forms of hearing loss, you’re not alone.

Joining us today is Charlotte-based audiologist Dr. Tomas Cabrera, who has partnered with Aldersgate to begin the process of providing on-site resources for residents affected by hearing loss. In this candid conversation, Dr. Cabrera discusses overall awareness of hearing loss, options for treatment, advances in technology, possible supportive legislation, common misconceptions, and his partnership with Aldersgate in their commitment to honor elders.

Links:

www.aldersgateliving.org

www.nidcd.nih.gov

As a leader and innovator in Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity causes in the aging services industry, Aldersgate is constantly working to create the most welcoming environment for its residents and team members as well as their families. In their continuing their commitment to honor elders from all backgrounds and lifestyles, they have partnered with SAGE, the country's leading advocacy organization for LGBT seniors.

Joining us today to discuss their work with SAGE and SAGECare is Carola Cárdenas, Aldersagate's Chief Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity Officer. Carola describes the relationship with SAGE, the varying levels of certifications and credentials, how Aldersgate achieved the coveted Platinum certification, what being a SAGE credentialed community means, and the impact it has on the industry.

Links:

https://www.sageusa.care

https://microvideos.thediversitymovement.com/videos/sexuality-terminology-101

https://www.timeoutyouth.org/

https://www.pushkin.fm/episode/im-not-as-free-as-i-thought/

https://cbicharlotte.org/

https://www.aldersgateliving.org

#aldersgateNC #aldersgateLiving  #charlotte #eastcharlotte #retirementcommunity #wehonorelders #SAGE #SAGECare #LGBT #diversebyesign

The last year and a half has been full of challenges. The impact that Covid has had on society is undeniable.  It is indeed a time of great reckoning, as potential job seekers are reevaluating their career paths, financial needs, and personal priorities. As a result, employers are tasked with examining their own priorities and redefining job codes, benefits packages, and work environments in order to entice employees back into the workforce.

Leading the charge to revitalize the workplace culture is, of course, Aldersgate. Not only are they continuing to offer potential team members a quality-of-life approach, flexible scheduling, and an “everyone is family” philosophy, but they are constantly adding to their already impressive benefits package that includes tuition reimbursement, career-oriented training, a free food pantry, and an on-site learning center where parents can have their children learn under supervision while they work. Their commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equity has enabled them to grow a family of team members and residents representing over 30 nationalities, ensuring that everyone feels welcome and supported in their continuing mission to honor elders.

Joining us today to talk about Aldersgate’s unique hiring philosophies and career opportunities are employee relations manager Kyle Hodge, and Director of Human Resources Juliette Hyusuv. So, if you’re considering making the move back into the workplace or if you know someone who is, check out this conversation and see why Aldersgate could be right for you!

As we all know, the ever-evolving aging services industry—a universe unto itself—is full of challenges and complexities, yet also exciting and rewarding opportunities to change lives. Leading the charge to improve the quality of life of our seniors and move the industry forward is Leading Age. This association represents the full continuum of not-for-profit organizations that are driven by a higher moral purpose to positively transform the field from the ground up so older adults can age safely and with dignity.

We are joined today by Tom Akins, President and CEO of Leading Age North Carolina. The association, based in Raleigh, has nearly 70 nonprofit member communities statewide, including continuing care retirement communities, Life Plan communities, and affordable housing providers. With 25 years in the industry, Tom provides tremendous insight into the inner workings of Leading Age and its role in advocacy, education, research, and networking.

Also joining us today is everyone’s favorite and Aldersgate’s own—Chief Brand Strategy and Community Engagement Officer Brooks Shelley. Tom and Brooks share with us their perspectives on the rapidly shifting demographics of the industry, the ongoing workforce struggles, the challenges we face with changes in tax legislation, and the omnipresent battle with Covid, the new variants, and vaccination protocols. They share practical ideas on managing these challenges and continuing to transform the industry.

Leading Age Links:

In honor of this year’s upcoming Juneteenth Festival of the Carolinas in Charlotte, we have invited two very special guests to speak about the significance of this holiday and how it is shaping modern culture

Joining us today is Pape Ndiaye, a Senegalese immigrant and the owner/operator of House of Africa, an amazing  art gallery and shop with locations in Charlotte and New York. In addition to running his shops, Pape is the founder of Charlotte’s Juneteenth Festival and has been its lead organizer for over two decades.

We also talk with Charlotte historian and the author of “Sorting Out the New South City” Tom Hatchett, who provides some additional depth and perspective on the growth of Charlotte and the impact of Juneteenth celebrations on the city and the outlying areas.

History of Juneteenth

On September 22, 1862 President Abraham Lincoln issued an executive order called Proclamation 95, otherwise known as the Emancipation Proclamation. One January 1, 1863, this proclamation went into effect, officially changing the legal status of over 3.5 million enslaved Africans and their descendants in the confederate states to free. This news was slow to spread, however.  It wasn’t until two and a half years later that Major General Gordon Granger landed in mid-June in Galveston, Texas, and shared  that the war had ended and that all slaves were now in fact free. And it is this date, June 19, 1865, that represents the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States, popularly known as Juneteenth.

While this last year of challenges, hardships and sacrifice make it easy to view the world through a tarnished lens, we can still find positive things that bring hope and inspiration. It’s important to find things  to look forward to. And perhaps no other organization better represents this positivity than Aldersgate.

In addition to its commitment to diversity, inclusion and equity, Aldersgate has developed plans that not only benefit its residents and neighboring communities on an immediate basis, but also an epic master site plan for the future. This master site plan completely reimagines the very definition of intergenerational living  as we know it to benefit people of all income levels, ages and all backgrounds for many generations to come.

Joining us today to talk about this forward-thinking vision are Aldersgate Life plan Services CEO Suzanne Pugh, Shook Kelley founding partner and principal Terry Shook, and Senior VP of Development Lee Cochran from Laurel Street Residential. Together, these three (along with other partners) are working to make these dreams a reality.

Today’s world is full of challenges—pandemics, environmental issues, political tensions and, yes, even in 2021, the continued prevalence of racial inequality. The good news is that awareness is growing. With many movements seeking racial justice worldwide, we are having more of the important conversations so vitally needed, and we are seeing increased diversity in leadership positions.

Today’s guest is the inspirational Mary Wilson, who not only serves on the board of directors at Aldersgate, but also holds the distinction of being both the first woman and the first person of color to have headed the board as chair. And while Mary’s list of accomplishments and career highlights is impressive, to say the least, she is remarkably humble while still being entertaining, engaging and thought-provoking.

Mary graciously shares with us some of her early childhood experiences and how she transitioned those experiences into careers as an attorney, director of social services and seminarian. She also candidly discusses some of the challenges she’s faced and how she maintains her positive determination in a time when we shouldn’t still be having so many “firsts.”

Also joining us today as cohost is Brooks Shelley, Aldersgate Director of Branding and Community Engagement, who adds perspective on the energy that Mary brings to the table at Aldersgate and their continuing work toward diversity, inclusion and equity.

Links:

www.aldersgateuniversity.com

www.facebook.com/AldersgateSeniorLivingCommunity/

www.instagram.com/aldersgatenc

https://aldersgateonair.podbean.com

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Today on Aldersgate OnAir, we are thrilled to explore the world of urban farming—“the growing of plants and raising of animals in and around cities,” as defined by the United Nation’s Food and Agriculture Organization. Urban agriculture is reshaping local food systems across the country. Farmers and gardeners in and around cities areas are creating new economic, social and environmental opportunities.

As farmland is swallowed up by urban development, we must source farm products from farther and farther away, increasing our carbon footprint while decreasing the freshness of the food we consume. Happily, a trend is emerging to save threatened farmland in the midst of urban areas—including Charlotte.

In this episode, we dig into how an urban farm in our own backyard is becoming an important part of the fabric of Charlotte. Our guests today are Zack Wyatt, director of the Carolina Farm Trust; Larken Egleston, who is serving his second term as a member of the Charlotte City Council; and Brooks Shelley, director of Marketing and Engagement here at Aldersgate.

The COVID-19 vaccines are finally on their way,  providing a much-needed vision of hope and security. There are, however, some concerns about the validity and safety of these vaccines and a hesitancy with some people to take them once they hit the market.  

The leadership at Aldersgate recognizes these disparities and concerns and wanted to address them firsthand. So they assembled an internal task force to answer some of the most important questions about the vaccine and to hopefully alleviate some of these concerns and apprehensions.

Joining president and CEO Suzanne Pugh on the panel was Aldersgate board member and surgeon Dr. Bob Vaughan, who gave an inside perspective directly to members of the black and African American communities while addressing historical injustices carried out by our government that have led to a lack of trust.  We also had medical director Dr. John Gambino, who laid out very clearly the status of the vaccine, its development cycle, misconceptions surround it, the anticipated distribution plan, the differences between the vaccines, and what we can expect the effects of the vaccines to be. We were also fortunate enough to have  Aldersgate’s Director of Health services Brooke Hodge, who gave some up-to date-statistics about Covid-19 and where Aldersgate stands relative to infections and vaccines.