Elevate Eldercare

On this episode of Brain Bytes, Kelly Tremblay, PhD, explores the critical connection between balance, mobility, falls, and brain health. With falls ranking as the second leading cause of unintentional injury deaths globally, especially among older adults, Dr. Kelly explains why prevention starts long before a fall occurs.

The conversation highlights how physical activity in midlife and beyond supports muscle strength, circulation, and brain function, while also reducing dementia risk. Dr. Kelly discusses how movement strengthens the communication between the brain and muscles, improving reaction time, coordination, and stability.

Listeners will also learn how the eyes, ears, and proprioceptive system work together to help us navigate the world safely.

Following are links and resources for this episode:

In this episode of Elevate Eldercare, AgingIN CEO Susan sits down with Otis Woods for a candid and insightful conversation about the evolution of aging services, culture change, and the future of long-term care. Drawing from decades of leadership experience—from supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to directing the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Woods shares how his journey shaped his commitment to person-centered care.

Their discussion explores the dramatic growth of assisted living, the ongoing decline in nursing home beds, and the urgent need for clearer regulations. Woods also reflects on the lessons learned during the pandemic, the importance of collaboration between regulators and providers, and the critical role of workforce development in ensuring quality care for older adults.

Susan and Otis dive into topics including culture change in eldercare, the Civil Monetary Penalty (CMP) program, transparency in regulation, and the growing influence of private equity and REITs in aging services.

This episode is a thoughtful look at where eldercare has been, and where it must go next, to better support frail elders, individuals with disabilities, and the workforce that cares for them.

Learn more about AgingIN's upcoming 2026 annual conference here: https://aginginnovationconference.org/.

This week on the podcast, Mary Munoz sits down with AgingIN CEO Susan Ryan to share her extraordinary journey from a childhood shaped by incredible hardship to a successful 26-year career at Ziegler, and, ultimately, to launching a mission-driven nonprofit focused on intergenerational connection and opportunity.

Mary's journey reflects both personal courage and a deep commitment to helping others. She describes the inspiration behind Foster Connections, a nonprofit that creates housing, mentorship, and workforce pathways for foster youth within senior living communities. Through intergenerational engagement and meaningful employment opportunities, the concept partners Glencroft Senior Living in and Thrive, an organization that supports youth in foster care.

The conversation also explores Mary's personal healing journey, her transition into retirement and purpose-driven work, and her vision for expanding intergenerational living models across the aging services sector.

This episode is a powerful reminder of how compassion, mentorship, and community can transform lives across generations.

Find out more about Foster Connections here: https://fosterconnections.us/

Learn about AgingIN's 2026 conference here: https://conference2026.wpenginepowered.com/

AgingIN CEO Susan Ryan sits down with Paul Sharman, founder and president of PACE Canada, to explore how integrated, community-based care can transform aging services. Paul shares his journey from engineering and corporate leadership to public service and eldercare innovation after his mother's experience with dementia reshaped his perspective.

Inspired by a visit to a Detroit PACE site, Paul launched PACE Canada in Ontario to bring collaborative, relationship-based care to older adults living in community housing. In addition to discussing the challenges of adapting the model to Canada, he examines the importance of trust and cross-sector collaboration.

Paul also shares his bold vision for the future: connecting up to one million Canadians to integrated care systems powered by technology, predictive analytics, and community partnerships—all designed to help older adults age with dignity, connection, and support.

More about PACE Canada here: https://www.atyourpace.ca/about-us

Learn about AgingIN's 2026 conference here: https://conference2026.wpenginepowered.com/

Music isn't just an activity; it's a powerful tool for connection, dignity, and redefining what's possible for people living with dementia. This has been proven by Second Verse Choir, a community choir created for people living with dementia and their care partners, and the subject of this week's episode.

AgingIN CEO Susan Ryan sits down with Second Verse Co-Founders Anne Rigley and Kris Boggs to discuss their impetus for creating the choir and how it has grown from a small group of 13 into a thriving choir of 20 members who meet weekly and perform for the community.

Anne's background in social work, combined with Kris' lifelong passion for music and advocacy, has culminated into a program that fosters joy, connection, and belonging. The two share how music supports cognitive engagement, strengthens social bonds, and challenges the stigma surrounding dementia and aging.

From early inspiration to their first "magical" performance, they reflect on the meaningful impact the choir has had on participants and their families.

The conversation also explores the practical side of launching a dementia-friendly choir, from logistics and partnerships to person-centered approaches that meet participants where they are.

Looking ahead, Anne and Kris are focused on expanding the model and bringing the power of music to more communities.

More information about Second Verse here: https://www.secondversechoir.org/

In this episode of Elevate Eldercare, AgingIN CEO Susan Ryan interviews two of the top experts in dementia, Jennifer Carson, PhD, and Al Power, MD. Together, they examine some of the most entrenched and damaging practices in dementia care and what can be done to eliminate them.

Drawing from clinical experience, research, and personal caregiving journeys, they unpack how the overuse of antipsychotics often mask deeper systemic failures, from under-resourced environments to inadequate training. Dr. Carson highlights the serious risks, including increased mortality, while Der. Power calls for a fundamental reframing of dementia away from "managing behaviors" and toward supporting well-being, inclusion, and human rights.

Together, they advocate for relationship-centered care, stronger enforcement of existing protections, and practical tools to help organizations assess and create conditions for optimal living.

Their conversation also previews their forthcoming book on dementia inclusion, aimed at offering actionable pathways for real system change, including a call for non-segregated and unlocked dementia care communities.

This episode is both a critique of the status quo and a hopeful call to redesign dementia care around dignity, equity, and true support.

Find more about Dr. Power's work here: http://www.alpower.net/geriatrician/Dr.%20Al%20Power_intro.html

Find out more about Dr. Caron's work here: https://deerprogram.org

In this episode of Brain Bytes, host Kelly Tremblay, PhD, neuroscientist and hearing and brain health expert, examines the truth about screen time and eye health—what it does and doesn't do to your vision. She explains why digital devices won't permanently damage the eyes, but can still cause real discomfort in the short term.

The conversation expands into aging and vision loss, challenging the common belief that serious eye conditions are inevitable. Dr. Kelly highlights how lifestyle, health, and early intervention play a critical role in protecting vision over time.

Most importantly, she connects vision to brain health, revealing how impaired eyesight can increase cognitive strain and even elevate dementia risk—making routine eye care more essential than many people realize.

Following are links and resources for this episode:

This week on Elevate Eldercare, AgingIN CEO Susan Ryan sits down with Tom Kamber, founder of Older Adults Technology Services (OATS) and Senior Planet, to explore how technology can empower older adults.

Tom shares his journey from a young activist inspired by his father's library to a national leader in digital inclusion. After 9/11, he shifted his focus toward technology as a tool for social change—sparked by a transformative experience with an 80-year-old woman named Pearl learning to use tech for the first time.

From humble beginnings teaching classes in senior centers, OATS has grown into a national movement. Through Senior Planet and a powerful partnership with AARP, the organization reached over 845,000 older adults last year—and is on track to impact one million.

This conversation highlights the urgent need to make technology accessible, inclusive, and inspiring for all older adults—and the role innovation, community, and activism play in shaping the future of aging.

This week's episode features Mohammad Mahoor, professor of computer science at the University of Denver, where he leads research in artificial intelligence, computer vision, and social robotics. AgingIN CEO sits down with Mohammad to explore how artificial intelligence can support emotional well-being and cognitive health in aging.

With a unique background spanning computer science, biomedical engineering, and psychology, Mohammad shares how his early work with children with autism evolved into a focus on addressing loneliness, social isolation, and early-stage dementia in older adults.A

Mohammad is also Founder & CEO of DreamFace Technologies, a company developing AI-powered wellness robots for older adults. At the center of this work is "Ryan," a socially assistive robot designed to engage residents in meaningful interaction. Using AI to recognize emotion, personalize conversation, and encourage cognitive and physical activity, Ryan has shown promising impact in senior living settings—helping residents feel more connected while also supporting staff capacity.

The conversation also tackles the ethical complexities of AI in eldercare, including privacy, bias, and transparency. Mahoor underscores the importance of building trust through clear communication about how technology works and ensuring that systems are designed with dignity and consent at the forefront.

Looking ahead, Mahoor envisions a future where technology is deeply personalized, collaborative, and human-centered. He calls on providers to engage older adults in the design process and to adopt innovation responsibly by leveraging tools like Ryan to enhance connection, not replace it.

More about Ryan and Dream Face here: https://dreamfacetech.com

Sue Paul, an occupational therapist with more than 35 years of experience, joins AgingIN CEO Susan Ryan to share her journey reimagining dementia care through the lens of brain health.

Reflecting on a time when Alzheimer's care was often institutional and limiting, Sue, who is senior director of well being and brain health for Asbury Communities, developed a more proactive, person-centered framework focused on prevention, dignity, and understanding the trajectory of cognitive change.

Her work has evolved into a strong emphasis on lifestyle-based interventions—movement, cognitive engagement, stress management, and social connection—as powerful tools to support and even improve brain health. At Asbury, Sue brought this philosophy to life through the Rosborough Wellness and Brain Health Center, an innovative space featuring everything from a rock-climbing wall to a boxing studio and tech lab, all designed to make brain health visible, engaging, and stigma-free for more than 380 residents.

Central to her approach is the Kinnections program with compelling results showing that 90 percent of participants maintaining or improving cognitive function and half of those with mild cognitive impairment returning to normal cognition. Sue is also leading a shift in language and mindset, encouraging providers to move away from "memory care" toward a more holistic concept of "neuro health."

Beyond campus walls, Sue is expanding her impact through SeniorScapes, a dementia-friendly park model in Frederick, Md., designed to promote outdoor activity, cognitive engagement, and social connection.