Akshita Iyer, CEO of Ome, joins host ⁠Carol Chiang⁠ to discuss how smart kitchen technology can help older adults maintain safety and independence at home. Together, they reflect on personal and clinical stories that highlight the emotional weight of kitchen-related safety decisions and the rising role of tech in reducing caregiver burden. You’ll gain insights into assessing risk, tailoring solutions to individual needs, and leveraging data to inform conversations about aging in place. Tune in for a practical, forward-thinking discussion that invites you to rethink how we approach home safety for aging adults.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze the evidence around kitchen-related safety risks and their impact on aging in place
• Determine the situations in which smart kitchen technology provides the most benefit for reducing caregiver burden and supporting older adults’ safety during meal preparation
• Solve patient case scenarios involving cognitive, motor, or sensory challenges that increase kitchen safety risks in older adults

Timestamps

• (00:00:00) Welcome
• (00:00:05) The importance of cooking for older adults
• (00:02:30) Technology as a safety net in the kitchen
• (00:04:25) Personal stories and the impact of aging
• (00:09:07) Challenges faced by older adults in cooking
• (00:12:51) Innovative solutions for kitchen safety
• (00:13:15) The role of data in enhancing safety
• (00:15:35) Building relationships through technology
• (00:16:50) Proactive vs. reactive approaches in care
• (00:17:39) Tailoring solutions for individual needs
• (00:25:14) Real-world applications of kitchen safety technology
• (00:35:25) The future of aging in place with technology

Innovative Aging is brought to you by Medbridge. If you’d like to earn continuing education credit for listening to this episode and access bonus takeaway handouts, log in to your Medbridge account and navigate to the course where you’ll find accreditation details. If applicable, complete the post-course assessment and survey to be eligible for credit. The takeaway handout on Medbridge gives you the key points mentioned in this episode, along with additional resources you can implement into your practice right away.

If you’d like to subscribe to Medbridge, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.medbridge.com/pricing/

Bill Uniowski, Co-Founder and CEO of Zinnia, brings a fresh, tech-forward lens to dementia care, drawing from personal caregiving experience and clinical partnerships. In this episode, he joins host Carol Chiang to explore how personalized, media-based tools may offer nonpharmacological relief for common challenges like agitation and caregiver burnout. Together, they examine what it means to truly meet people with dementia where they are, especially when routines break down and connection feels out of reach. You’ll leave with new ideas to support dignity and engagement through accessible, evidence-based solutions.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze current evidence supporting nonpharmacological, media-based interventions for managing behavioral symptoms in individuals with moderate-to-severe dementia

• Determine clinical scenarios in which dementia-friendly video content offers the greatest benefit, including for individuals experiencing agitation, anxiety, or difficulty engaging in daily routines
• Apply personalized intervention strategies in case scenarios with overburdened caregivers and clients whose cognitive deficits affect task sequencing and participation in meaningful activities
  

Timestamps

• (00:00:00) Welcome
• (00:00:05) The rising fear of dementia
• (00:02:25) Innovative solutions for dementia care
• (00:04:40) Understanding the caregiver's burden
• (00:07:00) Personalized approaches to dementia care
• (00:12:00) Engagement strategies for dementia patients
• (00:17:50) Nonpharmacological interventions
• (00:20:41) The role of technology in dementia care
• (00:24:39) Exploring alternative solutions for caregivers
• (00:32:12) Understanding frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and caregiving challenges
• (00:34:20) The role of media in dementia awareness
• (00:37:30) Humor and real-life stories in caregiving
• (00:41:17) Personalized approaches in dementia care
• (00:49:30) Multigenerational connections and overcoming stigma

Innovative Aging is brought to you by Medbridge. If you’d like to earn continuing education credit for listening to this episode and access bonus takeaway handouts, log in to your Medbridge account and navigate to the course where you’ll find accreditation details. If applicable, complete the post-course assessment and survey to be eligible for credit. The takeaway handout on Medbridge gives you the key points mentioned in this episode, along with additional resources you can implement into your practice right away.

If you’d like to subscribe to Medbridge, visit ⁠⁠⁠https://www.medbridge.com/pricing/

Nicole Cuervo, founder and CEO of Springrose, joins host Carol Chiang, OTR/L, CAPS, ECHM, CHAMP, to explore how adaptive apparel can make dressing more accessible, dignified, and empowering for your patients. Drawing on her background in human-centered design and deep collaboration with rehab professionals, Nicole shares how innovative clothing solutions are transforming an often-overlooked ADL. She and Carol dig into clinical challenges, emotional impacts, and practical strategies you can use today. Join us as we rethink dressing as more than a task, it's a pathway to independence and identity.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze the evidence supporting adaptive apparel as a clinical solution for supporting dressing-related independence and participation in people with physical or cognitive limitations
• Determine situations in which adaptive apparel provides the most benefit to individuals experiencing dressing challenges due to pain, range-of-motion limitations, tremors, or caregiver reliance
• Solve patient case scenarios that involve selecting and clinically applying adaptive apparel to address dressing-related performance barriers in ADLs

Timestamps

• (00:00:00) Welcome
• (00:00:05) The importance of independent dressing
• (00:03:15) Innovative solutions in adaptive apparel
• (00:11:50) Challenges in adaptive clothing
• (00:17:40) Understanding user needs
• (00:19:20) Designing for diverse needs
• (00:24:45) The role of clinicians in adaptive apparel
• (00:29:00) When adaptive apparel isn't the answer
• (00:38:00) Navigating financial barriers
• (00:41:00) Innovative approaches to adaptive clothing
• (00:43:40) Empowering patients through choice

Innovative Aging is brought to you by Medbridge. If you’d like to earn continuing education credit for listening to this episode and access bonus takeaway handouts, log in to your Medbridge account and navigate to the course where you’ll find accreditation details. If applicable, complete the post-course assessment and survey to be eligible for credit. The takeaway handout on Medbridge gives you the key points mentioned in this episode, along with additional resources you can implement into your practice right away.

If you’d like to subscribe to Medbridge, visit ⁠⁠https://www.medbridge.com/pricing/

Dan Walkowiak, product and market development manager at Bemis Manufacturing, joins host Carol Chiang for a candid conversation about transforming toilet safety from a clinical necessity to a driver of independence and dignity. Together, they explore how innovations like raised toilet seats, color contrast design, and integrated bidet technology can prevent falls, ease caregiver burden, and improve quality of life. You’ll hear real-world stories of patients whose social engagement and happiness were restored by simple bathroom modifications and gain practical ideas you can start using with your own patients today.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze the evidence around bathroom safety interventions in reducing falls and improving independence for individuals with mobility challenges or cognitive challenges
• Determine the situations in which specific toileting and bathroom safety solutions provide the most benefit, considering patient needs, environmental factors, caregiver involvement, aesthetics, and cost
• Solve patient case scenarios involving toileting challenges by selecting solutions that bridge the gap between clinical safety recommendations and real-life usability in home and facility settings

Timestamps

• (00:00:00) Welcome
• (00:00:05) Introduction to bathroom safety equipment
• (00:03:15) The importance of bathroom safety
• (00:06:30) Innovative solutions for bathroom safety
• (00:11:25) The future of bathroom technology
• (00:14:57) Addressing affordability in bathroom solutions
• (00:20:30) Safety issues with traditional toilet seats
• (00:26:20) The role of education in bathroom safety
• (00:28:45) Innovative approaches to bathroom safety
• (00:31:17) Funding and accessibility challenges
• (00:32:39) Navigating insurance and Medicare issues
• (00:39:00) Choosing the right equipment for patients
• (00:43:32) Real-life success stories
• (00:49:00) Key takeaways for clinicians

Innovative Aging is brought to you by Medbridge. If you’d like to earn continuing education credit for listening to this episode and access bonus takeaway handouts, log in to your Medbridge account and navigate to the course where you’ll find accreditation details. If applicable, complete the post-course assessment and survey to be eligible for credit. The takeaway handout on Medbridge gives you the key points mentioned in this episode, along with additional resources you can implement into your practice right away.

If you’d like to subscribe to Medbridge, visit ⁠https://www.medbridge.com/pricing/

Becky Wright, CAPS, division manager at Ponte Giulio USA, joins host Carol Chiang, for a lively and practical conversation about bathroom safety and aging in place. Drawing from decades of experience and real-life client stories, Becky and Carol tackle the stigma around grab bars and explain why reframing the conversation matters. Together, they explore how therapists like you can proactively guide clients toward safer home environments—without compromising style or dignity. Tune in for actionable tips and persuasive language you can use in your very next home safety visit.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze the evidence around grab bars in relation to accessibility, safety, and client-centered home modifications
• Determine the situations in which grab bar solutions support safety, health, and participation in activities of daily living (ADLs)
• Solve patient case scenarios by integrating clinical reasoning and ethical decision-making to recommend appropriate grab bar solutions in diverse home settings

Timestamps

• (00:00:00) Welcome
• (00:01:30) Understanding the importance of bathroom safety
• (00:05:00) Proactive vs. reactive safety measures
• (00:08:50) Overcoming misconceptions about grab bars
• (00:13:30) The role of terminology in acceptance
• (00:20:20) Creating a visit-friendly home
• (00:23:30) The importance of grab bars in home safety
• (00:25:08) Design and aesthetics of grab bars
• (00:36:00) Installation of grab bars
• (00:41:00) Key takeaways for clinicians

This podcast is brought to you by Medbridge. If you’d like to earn continuing education credit for listening to this episode and access bonus takeaway handouts, log in to your Medbridge account and navigate to the course where you’ll find accreditation details. If applicable, complete the post-course assessment and survey to be eligible for credit. The takeaway handout on Medbridge gives you the key points mentioned in this episode, along with additional resources you can implement into your practice right away.

If you’d like to subscribe to Medbridge, visit https://www.medbridge.com/pricing/

Innovative Aging Podcast with Carol Chiang coming soon in mid September!