News for the Ages by Rethinking Aging Club

Debbie Howard presented two articles: one on the caregiving crisis, highlighting  increasing stress and financial strain on caregivers, with average caregiving duration at 4.5 years. Her second article focuses on questions to ask elders over the holidays to capture their life stories. 

Benjamin Surmi shared insights on memory care marketing tactics, emphasizing the importance of authentic representation and community engagement. 

Ellen Khalifa presented an article about the stigma around disability labels, noting that older adults often resist identifying as disabled despite needing accommodations.

Presented by Debbie Howard, Aging Matters International
NY Times Opinion 11/24/25 We Had No Idea What Was Coming - Caregiving Crisis by Michelle Cottle
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/24/opinion/caregiving-crisis.html

NY Times 11-24-25 5 Questions to Ask Your Elders over the Holidays by Dana G Smith
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/24/well/interviewing-older-relatives-questions.html

Elizabeth Magallon Fleury found this related student assignment https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/25/learning/what-have-you-always-wanted-to-know-about-an-older-family-member.html

Presented by Benjamin Surmi, Koelsch Communities
Senior Housing News 12-11-25 Memory Care Marketing by Andrew Christman
https://seniorhousingnews.com/2025/12/11/perception-shift-how-commonwealth-heritage-northbridge-are-retelling-the-story-of-memory-care/

Linda referred to 10-9-25 Living Choices - Nursing Homes Explained with Benjamin Surmi, Erin Hart and film maker Peter Murphy Lewis

Presented by Ellen Khalifa, Habits Coach for Healthspan and Wellspan
KFF Health News 12-11 Disability Label Controversy by Paula Span
https://kffhealthnews.org/news/article/older-people-disability-ada-michigan/

'Several studies found patients identifying as disabled have less depression and anxiety, higher self-esteem, and a greater sense of “self-efficacy” than disabled people who don’t.'

Discussion hosted by: Linda Sherman, Ray Gordon and Debbie Howard

BoomerTechTalk.com episode page

12-16-25 LinkedIn Show Post

News for the Ages podcasts live on Tuesdays. How to join live.

Please follow both of our podcasts including Rethinking Aging Club Podcast.

Nickie’s Tune written and performed by Richard Sherman

In this episode we discussed health span and intrinsic capacity, with Ellen Khalifa highlighting a New Scientist article. The article noted that by 2029, 1.4 billion people will be aged 60 or over, but health expectancy hasn't kept pace with life expectancy. Intrinsic capacity shows improvements in cohorts born in the 1950s compared to earlier generations. 

Elizabeth Magallon Fleury presented a New York Times article on fun retirement communities, showcasing various niche living options for baby boomers, including university-affiliated communities and those focused on specific interests like art, religion, and outdoor activities.   

Presented by Ellen Khalifa, Habits Coach for Healthspan and Wellspan
New Scientist Health Span by Graham Lawton
August 2025 original, Apple News recently featured it
https://www.newscientist.com/article/2489666-a-new-measure-of-health-is-revolutionising-how-we-think-about-ageing/
Apple access:
https://apple.news/AVAWN83pzT4SfKjEzwytmiQ

New vocabulary: “Sedentarism”
Intrinsic Capacity domains: locomotion, cognition, vision, psychological health, general vitality 

This document addresses Intrinsic Capacity page 26, WHO Integrated care for older people (‎ICOPE)‎: guidance for person-centred assessment and pathways in primary care, 12-29-24 page 23
Ellen mentions: “neurons that fire together, wire together”. We don’t want to feed ourselves negative messages.

Presented by Elizabeth Magallon Fleury, CAPS, Life's Encore Planning
NY Times 10-3-25 Fun Retirement Communities by Sarah Bahr
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/03/realestate/fun-retirement-communities.html
Being around like-minded people

We discussed colleges benefiting from 65+ retirement communities revenue in News for the Ages 11-18-25

Elizabeth likes Penn State’s assisted living. It is really integrated, including their sporting events and arts 

She mentioned co-living and co-housing are different. Charles Durrett for co-housing

Debbie Howard's summary of this show.

Discussion hosted by: Linda Sherman, Ray Gordon and Debbie Howard

BoomerTechTalk.com episode page

12-9-25 LinkedIn Show Post

We continue to record new News for the Ages podcasts live on Tuesdays. How to join live.

Please follow both of our podcasts including Rethinking Aging Club Podcast.

Nickie’s Tune written and performed by Richard Sherman

In this News for the Ages episode we discussed the issue of older adults being lured into unlicensed adult family homes also known as small group care homes in Maryland, where they are charged significantly less but receive substandard care. Despite hundreds of complaints since 2023, only one referral for prosecution has been made. The conversation covered why enforcement of regulations is difficult.

Ray Gordon reported on advancements in osteoarthritis research, including early detection methods and potential treatments to prevent or delay the need for surgery. The importance of maintaining joint health through exercise and physical therapy was also highlighted.

Presented by Benjamin Surmi, Social Gerontologist and Senior Living Expert
Yahoo Finance 11-30-25 Seniors Being Trafficked Unlicensed Care by Jessica Wong
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/seniors-being-trafficked-unlicensed-care-110000098.html
Benjamin briefly mentioned this interview:
https://foxbaltimore.com/spotlight-on-maryland/senior-trafficking-persists-as-maryland-fails-to-act-on-illegal-care-homes

Presented by Ray Gordon, Architect, Urban Planner, Futurist and Former Pratt Institute Grad School Professor
BBC Science Focus 11-16-25 We're on the Brink of Curing Arthritis. Here's How
by Helen Pilcher
https://www.sciencefocus.com/the-human-body/brink-curing-arthritis-osteoarthritis
Kauai world class orthopedic surgeons that Ray referred to David Rovinsky
And Derek Johnson

Discussion hosted by: Linda Sherman and Ray Gordon

BoomerTechTalk.com episode page 

12-2-25 LinkedIn Show Post

We continue to record new News for the Ages podcasts live on Tuesdays. How to join live.

Please follow both of our podcasts including Rethinking Aging Club Podcast.

Nickie’s Tune written and performed by Richard Sherman

Live from Japan, Ginger Griggs presented the critical challenge of maintaining adequate transportation services due to the convergence of the aging and declining population, along with depopulation in rural areas (which can leave residents stuck in a “ transportation desert”). With about 1/3 of our population in Japan 65+ years old, and a huge percent of them living alone, the ability to get out to reach necessary services, or to have them come to you, is of huge concern.

Ellen Khalifa share the IMF report that found a 70-year-old in 2022 has the cognitive ability of a 53-year-old in 2000 and the physical abilities of a 56-year-old in 2000, indicating that healthy aging is contributing to increased labor force participation and higher earnings for older individuals.

Presented by Ginger Griggs, VP Strategic People Empowerment EAW
World Economic Forum 11-18-25 How Japan Is Redesigning Mobility for Its Changing Society by Naoko Tochibayashi
https://www.weforum.org/stories/2025/11/redesigning-mobility-in-japan-s-changing-society/
Toyota Woven City
Asia Nikkei story on Toyota Woven City - Limited to subscribers
Moovit app launched in Japan October 2025
Driverless cars in Japan

Following up on self-driving vehicles in Japan, from Ginger
Nikkei Asia 11-26-25 WeRide CEO Tony Han bullish on growth beyond China and outpacing self-driving rivals 
"We have already rolled out robobus services in multiple cities in Japan," Han said. "We can also supply robotaxi services in the country, depending on market needs."

Presented by Ellen Khalifa, Habits Coach for Healthspan and Wellspan
World Economic Outlook - IMF (International Monetary Fund) 26 page report April 2025: 70 is the new 50. This is a follow-up to the McKinsey Report Ellen presented at News for the Ages 11-11-25
https://www.imf.org/en/-/media/files/publications/weo/2025/april/english/ch2.pdf
Yahoo News same story

Discussion hosted by: Linda Sherman and Ray Gordon

BoomerTechTalk.com episode page 

11-25-25 LinkedIn Show Post

We continue to record new News for the Ages podcasts live on Tuesdays. How to join live.

Please follow both of our podcasts including Rethinking Aging Club Podcast.

Nickie’s Tune written and performed by Richard Sherman

In this News for the Ages episode Benjamin Surmi highlighted the trend of senior living communities on college campuses, noting the financial benefits to colleges but warned of the challenges of integrating seniors into campus life. Buyer beware.

Elizabeth Magallon Fleury discussed the hidden costs of downsizing, emphasizing the need for strategic planning and adaptive design. 

Ellen Khalifa shared a study linking multilingualism to slower brain aging. 

Debbie Howard warned of the impact of Medicaid cuts on older adults, predicting increased strain on emergency rooms, caregiver shortages, and rural health delivery.

Presented by Benjamin Surmi, Koelsch Communities
Fast Company 11-13-25 Over 65 Propping Up Colleges Now by Nate Berg
https://www.fastcompany.com/91436983/how-the-over-65-crowd-is-propping-up-colleges-right-now 

Presented by Elizabeth Magallon Fleury, CAPS, Life's Encore Planning
NY Times 10-14-25 The Hidden Costs of Downsizing by Claire Wolters
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/14/realestate/downsizing.html
Linked to in the article the NAR (National Assoc of Realtors Research Research Group) 131 page study PDF Home Buyers and Sellers Generational Trends

Presented by Ellen Khalifa, Habits Coach for Healthspan and Wellspan
Scientific American 11-11-25 Learning Another Language May Slow Brain Aging Study
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/learning-another-language-may-slow-brain-aging-huge-new-study-finds/
Study in Nature Aging

Presented by Debbie Howard, Aging Matters International
Next Avenue 11-3 How Medicaid Cuts Will Impact Older Adults by Ashley Milne-Tyte
https://www.nextavenue.org/we-are-making-it-so-hard-to-age-in-this-country/

Debbie Howard's summary of this show

Discussion hosted by: Linda Sherman and Debbie Howard
It is very, very rare but co-host Ray Gordon was unable to join us today.

BoomerTechTalk.com episode page 

11-18-25 LinkedIn Show Post

We continue to record new News for the Ages podcasts live on Tuesdays. How to join live.

Please follow both of our podcasts including Rethinking Aging Club Podcast.

Nickie’s Tune written and performed by Richard Sherman

November is National Family Caregiver Month. November 11 is Veteran’s Day.

We discussed the McKinsey Health Institute's report on investing in healthy aging in the USA, which projects that $1 invested in healthy aging interventions could yield $3 in economic and healthcare benefits. Key interventions include transportation, housing, and public safety. The report highlights a median ROI of 3.0 times, with specific interventions showing up to 224 times ROI. The discussion also covered the worsening caregiving crisis in America, with 63 million caregivers providing $600 billion in economic value. Solutions proposed include expanding paid family leave, strengthening Medicare, and establishing federal tax credits for caregivers. Commentary by Elizabeth Magallon Fleury, Ray Gordon and Linda Sherman.

Presented by Ellen Khalifa, Habits Coach for Healthspan and Wellspan 
McKinsey Health Institute 9-4-25 Economic Case for Investing in Health Care in the USA by David Nuzum, Katherine Linzer and Pooja Kumar with Neeraja Nagarajan
https://www.mckinsey.com/mhi/our-insights/the-economic-case-for-investing-in-healthy-aging-lessons-from-the-united-states

Presented by Debbie Howard, Aging Matters International
Next Avenue 10-22-25 America’s Caregiving Crisis is Getting Worse by Jason Resendez, Nancy LeaMond and Regina Shih PhD
https://www.nextavenue.org/americas-caregiving-crisis-is-getting-worse/

Authors of this Next Avenue article:
Jason Resendez is the President and CEO of the National Alliance for Caregiving
Nancy LeaMond is AARP's executive vice president and chief advocacy & engagement officer
Regina Shih, PhD, is a professor at Emory University's Rollins School of Public Health and Board Member of the National Alliance for Caregiving

Ellen mentioned 10-30-25 Axios article saying the cost of paid family caregivers is increasing 3 times more than inflation, which is driving more and more people to not be able to afford it and having to provide care for their family members themselves.

Linda cited which states now offer family caregiver tax credits: OK, NE, GA, MT, MO, NJ, ND, SC. MD for expenses %. VA for home renovation.

Debbie Howard's summary of this show

Discussion hosted by: Linda Sherman, Ray Gordon and Debbie Howard

BoomerTechTalk.com episode page 

11-11-25 LinkedIn Show Post

We continue to record new News for the Ages podcasts live on Tuesdays. How to join live.

Please follow both of our podcasts including Rethinking Aging Club Podcast.

Nickie’s Tune written and performed by Richard Sherman

Benjamin Surmi highlighted three election day ballot items: a $3 billion dementia research center in Texas, a proposal to invest Washington's payroll taxes into the stock market, and a change in Maine regarding absentee voting for older adults. Debbie Howard shared insights from GetSetUp's 2025 Active Aging Report, emphasizing the importance of digital literacy and health literacy for older adults. Elizabeth Magallon Fleury led the discussion on the complexities of relocating after retirement, including considerations for living abroad. Co-hosts Linda Sherman and Ray Gordon added commentary.

Presented by Benjamin Surmi, Koelsch Communities
Three Aging-related Issues on the Ballot Today Without Political Commentary
Texas: 3 Billion for Dementia Research Infrastructure
https://www.kut.org/health/2025-11-03/texas-constitutional-amendments-proposition-14-dementia-alzheimers-research
Washington: Can Payroll Taxes Designated for a Long Term Care Fund Be Invested in the Stock Market by the State?
https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2025/10/31/voters-to-decide-if-wa-cares-tax-dollars-can-be-invested-in-stock-market/
Maine: Should Seniors and People with Disabilities Be Able to Request Absentee Ballots Perpetually Without Renewal?
https://apnews.com/article/voter-id-noncitizen-voting-maine-texas-a209dec2c8bf92615434bb00df7a7ae1

Presented by Debbie Howard, Aging Matters International
GetSetUp 10-21-25 2025 Active Aging Report
https://www.cbs42.com/business/press-releases/ein-presswire/859927945/getsetup-releases-its-2025-active-aging-report/

Presented by Elizabeth Magallon Fleury, CAPS, Life's Encore Planning
AP News 8-8-25 Holistic Approach to Retiring by Leanne Italie
https://apnews.com/article/retirement-relocation-a0680d2e5c39dcec5d497faaae17e84e

Debbie Howard's summary of this show

Discussion hosted by: Linda Sherman, Ray Gordon and Debbie Howard

BoomerTechTalk.com episode page 

11-4-25 LinkedIn Show Post

We continue to record new News for the Ages podcasts live on Tuesdays. How to join live.

Please follow both of our podcasts including Rethinking Aging Club Podcast.

Nickie’s Tune written and performed by Richard Sherman

We discussed key trends in senior living, including building in last frontier markets, combating obsolescence, incorporating biophilia and sustainability, and local inspiration in this episode of News for the Ages by Rethinking Aging Club podcast. Senior Living faces a shortage of new units, with occupancy expected to reach 90% by 2026. We also covered retirement concerns, highlighting that only 37% of Americans expect to retire within a realistic timeframe. Gen Xers were advised to build emergency funds, tackle debt, and consider long-term care insurance. The importance of home ownership and aggressive investment strategies was emphasized, along with the potential benefits of Roth IRAs and capital gains tax strategies. Elizabeth shared the 10 room residential care home she is working on. Linda recommended Maddy Dychtwald's Ageless Aging: A Woman's Guide to Increasing Healthspan, Brainspan, and Lifespan book.

Presented by Benjamin Surmi, Koelsch Communities
Senior Housing News 10-14-25  Four Top Senior Living Development and Design Trends by Tim Mullaney
https://seniorhousingnews.com/2025/10/14/4-top-senior-living-development-and-design-trends/

Linda mentioned in response to a question about “what is a Nursing Home”:
October 9, 2025 Rethinking Aging Club Living Choices: Understanding Nursing Homes Show with Benjamin Surmi, Erin Hart, Stacey Eisenberg, Peter Murphy Lewis

Presented by Debbie Howard, Aging Matters International
Benefit News 10-20-25 Retirement Out of Reach for Many Americans by Jimmy Nesbitt
https://www.benefitnews.com/news/retirement-out-of-reach-for-many-americans

Linda referenced:
Top 10 Cities to Age in Place Oct 2025 by Aparna Pujar's company Zemplee

Presented by Elizabeth Magallon Fleury, CAPS, Life's Encore Planning
AARP 10-23-25 Gen X 9 Steps for Retirement by Cameron Huddleston
https://www.aarp.org/money/retirement/gen-x-prepare-to-retire/

Debbie Howard's summary of this show

Discussion hosted by: Linda Sherman, Ray Gordon and Debbie Howard

BoomerTechTalk.com episode page 

10-28-25 LinkedIn Show Post

Nickie’s Tune written and performed by Richard Sherman

October 20, 2025 was World Osteoporosis Day and October is Menopause Awareness Month. Ellen Khalifa highlighted a New York Times article on osteoporosis in men, noting that one in five men over 50 face fractures, with higher mortality rates than women. 

Elizabeth Magallon Fleury shared a Huffington Post article on menopause's impact on eye health, emphasizing dry eyes and the need for regular eye checks. 

Debbie Howard announced a free Discover Live virtual tour for caregivers on November 4. The discussion also covered the SF AgeTech hackathon, where teams developed solutions for remote caregivers and sandwich caregivers. Ellen and Elizabeth participated. Linda Sherman shared her US - Japan Council Annual Meeting in Oahu mid October.

Topics and Articles are in the order discussed

Linda asked Debbie to talk about the family caregiver mini respite tour.
November 4, 1-2pm ET tour for caregivers registration on Discover.Live website
Debbie’s related LinkedIn post

Ellen Khalifa and Elizabeth Magallon Fleury shared the SF AgeTech Hackathon they participated in 10-18

USJC 2025 Day 1; USJC Day 2 on Linda’s LinkedIn
USJC Annual Meeting on Linda’s Facebook

Presented by Ellen Khalifa, Habits Coach for Healthspan and Wellspan
NY Times 10-4-25 More Men are Now Living Long Enough to Develop Osteoporosis by Paula Span
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/04/health/osteoporosis-men.html
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/article-abstract/2837757

World Osteoporosis Day chart on Ellen’s LinkedIn

Presented by Elizabeth Magallon Fleury, CAPS, Life's Encore Planning
Huff Post 10-12-25  The Surprising Effect Menopause Can Have on Your Eyes by Amy Glover
https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/menopause-dry-eyes_uk_68e7b0f2e4b0b4458cb736f2

Debbie Howard's summary of this show

Discussion hosted by: Linda Sherman, Ray Gordon and Debbie Howard

BoomerTechTalk.com episode page 

10-21-25 LinkedIn Show Post

Nickie’s Tune written and performed by Richard Sherman

We discussed Longevity and Living Choices in the news.

Presented by Benjamin Surmi, Koelsch Communities
Senior Housing News 4-18-25 Longevity Day Club by Innovation Senior Living in Florida by Andrew Christman
https://seniorhousingnews.com/2025/04/18/innovation-senior-living-to-pilot-adult-day-service-aimed-at-older-adults-living-at-home/

West Orlando News 10-13-25 Month-to-Month Living at Sea, with Rent-to-Own, Launched
Mentioned Katheryn Speer Shoaf RN CEO Elite Cruises and Vacations spoke on our 11-9-23 with James Lee; Julius Bruch PhD, MD; Melissa Bernstein
Mentioned The World

Presented by Debbie Howard, Aging Matters International
NY Times 9-29-25 102 YO Yogi Charlotte Chopin by Danielle Friedman
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/29/well/move/102-year-old-yogi-charlotte-chopin.html
NY Times Instagram of this article 10-12-25

Mentioned myofascial release (MFR) and Dr. Edythe Heus Rev6, panelist on our 9-25-25 Longevity show 

Presented by Elizabeth Magallon Fleury, CAPS, Life's Encore Planning
NY Times 10-9-25 Social Connections for Longevity by Dana G Smith
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/09/well/introvert-longevity-tips.html

Mentioned by Ellen Khalifa:
A 2024 study co-authored by researchers at the University of Utah's Social Relationships and Health Lab analyzed health outcomes over a 26–27 year period.
Related articles in:
PMC September 2024
BYU 5-25-2025

Related also From Ellen Khalifa:
Bowling Alone book
Join or Die documentary about Robert Putnam 

Stacey Eisenberg is offering her clients Uniper Care which helps with social connection

Debbie Howard's summary of this show.

Articles are listed in the order they were presented and discussed.

Discussion hosted by: Linda Sherman, Ray Gordon and Debbie Howard

BoomerTechTalk.com episode page 

10-14-25 LinkedIn Show Post

Nickie’s Tune written and performed by Richard Sherman