In this episode of Aging Well, Bob Blancato, national advocate for older adults and expert in nutrition and aging policy, explores the critical role nutrition plays in supporting healthy aging and strengthening communities.

This episode examines how nutrition intersects healthcare, social services, and public policy, and why improving access to healthy food is essential for preventing chronic disease and promoting well-being among older adults. Listeners will gain insight into the growing “Food as Medicine” movement, the importance of nutrition security, and how programs like the Older Americans Act nutrition services help address both health and social isolation for older adults.

Bob also shares perspectives on current policy developments, including efforts to expand medical nutrition therapy, strengthen community nutrition programs, and integrate social care services into healthcare systems. Throughout the conversation, he highlights how advocacy, education, and community engagement can help shape stronger nutrition policies and better outcomes for older adults.

This conversation offers a thoughtful look at how better nutrition, stronger policy, and community advocacy can help ensure older adults have the support they need to age well.

Resources:

National Association of Nutrition and Aging Services Programs - PODCAST

Blog: Nutrition and Healthy Aging Featuring Bob Blancato - Alliance for Aging Research

Basics of Congregate Nutrition Programs | acl.gov 

Basics of Home Delivered Meal Program | acl.gov

Food Is Medicine | odphp.health.gov

Food and Nutrition Security

Food Assistance - SNAP Benefits for Older Adults

Food Paradigm

Older Americans Act Nutrition Programs

Older Americans Act: Summary in Brief | Congress.gov | Library of Congress

Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025–2030 

Innovation Insight: RFI Now Open for Comments on Potential Improvements to Medicare Advantage | CMS

Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) | HHS.gov

Medical Nutrition Therapy Act of 2025 | Congress.gov | Library of Congress

Treat and Reduce Obesity Act of 2025 | Congress.gov | Library of Congress

Find a Federally Qualified Health Center 

Adult Obesity Facts | Obesity | CDC

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Podcast: ageguide.org/the-age-guide-podcast
Website: ageguide.org

 In this episode of Aging Well, Ryann Hill, Aging Policy and Advocacy Expert, shares the realities facing older adults and caregivers today and offers guidance on how listeners can take meaningful action.  

This episode explores how aging policy brings people together across party lines, how to effectively and confidently engage your legislators, and why the Older Americans Act continues to serve as the backbone of community-based supports for older adults. Participants will also gain a clear understanding of the difference between authorization and funding, and why both matter, along with practical, real-world strategies for advocating locally, sharing impactful stories, and strengthening support for aging services. 

This conversation offers a grounded and hopeful look at what it takes for communities to ensure that people can age with dignity, stability, and support. 

Resources: 

Older Americans Act: Overview and Funding | Congress.gov | Library of Congress 

Administration for Community Living - Older Americans Act 

USAging - Older Americans Act 

Indigo Hill Strategies 

Mic’d Up podcast 

Eldercare Locator 

Find and contact elected officials | USAGov 

Best-Practices-Meeting-with-a-Congressional-Office-February-2025.pdf 

Here’s a look at federal agencies’ shutdown contingency plans | Federal News Network 

U.S. House of Representatives 

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Podcast: ageguide.org/the-age-guide-podcast
Website: ageguide.org

In this episode of Aging Well, we talk with advocate and researcher Kris Geerken about how ageism and ableism shape the way we experience aging and healthcare. Drawing on her hospice work, her research at Virginia Commonwealth University, and advocacy with Changing the Narrative, Kris explores how age bias often goes unnoticed in medical settings and why stronger gerontology training is essential to improving care. She highlights the impact of unacknowledged grief, the high-cost ageism has on our society, and the need for person‑centered systems that honor the values and goals of people at every age.   

Also, Alaine makes her Medicare Minute debut to explain that Illinois allows self‑referral to physical therapy without a physician’s prescription.  

This conversation offers practical insights and encouragement for navigating care, challenging age bias, and aging well at every stage of life. 

Resources: 

Reach out to Kris: [email protected] 

Disrupting Ageism | ScienceDirect 

Antidotes for Ageism - Changing the Narrative 

Age-Friendly Healthcare – Changing the Narrative 

Ageism in health care found to cost $63 billion annually | Yale Daily News 

The Conversation Project - Have You Had The Conversation? 

National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health 

Aging Unfiltered: Flipping the Script on Ageism 

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Podcast: ageguide.org/the-age-guide-podcast
Website: ageguide.org

In this episode of Aging Well, we sit down with Dr. Israel Cross, Public Health Gerontologist and President of the National Aging in Place Council. Drawing on his experience as both an aging network professional and family caregiver, Dr. Cross reframes aging as a natural continuum rather than a crisis and highlights why caregivers are essential partners in our aging infrastructure.  

We explore the evolving concept of aging in place and discuss why early conversations about care and autonomy matter. Dr. Cross also introduces the latest edition of Aging in Place Conversations: The Caregiver’s Edition, a guide filled with real stories, tips, and tools for navigating caregiving challenges.  

Tune in for a conversation that centers compassion and offers a hopeful roadmap for building systems that prioritize dignity, choice, and collaboration. 

Resources: 

Israel Cross LinkedIn Page  

Aging in Place Conversations - The Caregiver's Edition Amazon Kindle copy  

Aging in Place Conversations - The Caregiver's Edition: Stories, Strategies, and Support for Aging in Your Community by Sean Fitzgerald, Fritzi Gros-Daillon, Mary Lynch, Paperback | Barnes & Noble® 

National Aging in Place Council Website 

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services | CMS 

National Institute on Aging 

Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS) | NAHB 

Online Courses - USC Home Modification 

Grab Bar and Zero Degree Shower   

The Sandwich Generation 

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Podcast: ageguide.org/the-age-guide-podcast
Website: ageguide.org

In this episode, we get the opportunity to take a deep dive with Dr. Raj Shah of Rush University Medical Center exploring ideas revolving around brain health, caregiving, and what it truly means to age well. Drawing from decades of dementia research and community-based work, Dr. Shah reflects on the power of connection, the role of care partners, and how belonging shapes our health across the lifespan. Together, they unpack the small, meaningful actions at home, in clinics, and throughout our communities that can make aging a more supported, inclusive, and thriving experience. 

Resources: 

Dementia Friends Illinois - Illinois Cognitive Resources Network 

Dementia Friendly America 

Dementia Friendly Illinois Monthly Meetings - Illinois Cognitive Resources Network 

Dementia Friendly Initiative – AgeGuide 

Dementia Friendly Efforts in Illinois 

Raj Shah | LinkedIn 

Design For Belonging Initiative  

Memory Cafe Directory 

2025 Walk to End Alzheimer's | Alzheimer's Association 

How the CARE Act Helps Caregivers 

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Podcast: ageguide.org/the-age-guide-podcast
Website: ageguide.org

To launch our new season on Aging Well, we’re joined by Ken Stern, nationally recognized expert on longevity, author, founder of the Longevity Project, and host of the podcast Century Lives.  

In this episode we explore how longer lives challenge the way we think about the second half of life and prompt us to reimagine every aspect of society, from education and work to community and connection. Ken also shares incredible insights from his new book, Healthy to 100: How Strong Social Ties Lead to Long Lives, which captures the central theme of this season: that thriving as we age depends on the strength of our relationships and communities. Together, they explore how longevity science offers a hopeful roadmap for aging well in today’s world. 

Resources: 

Healthy to 100: How Strong Social Ties Lead to Long Lives 

Healthy to 100 Blog 

The Longevity Project 

Three Not so Bad Things on Longevity and Aging Newsletter 

Century Lives Podcast 

When I’m 64 Podcast 

Blue Zones Netflix Documentary 

Gorham House Intergenerational Preschool & Senior Community 

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Podcast: ageguide.org/the-age-guide-podcast
Website: ageguide.org

With Ageism Awareness Day approaching, the final episode of Aging Unfiltered features Jan Golden, founder of Age Friendly Vibes, and Sara Breindel, Communications Specialist and Ageism Consultant with the American Society on Aging. Jan shares how a contest for anti-ageist birthday cards led her to create an age-positive greeting card company, while Sara recalls the moment she realized how subtle language can reinforce stereotypes. Together, they explore why our mindset toward aging matters, and how the way we talk about aging shapes culture while influencing health and longevity.  Sara and Jan share how stories, word choices, and even humor affect how we think and feel about aging. Tune in to discover practical ways we can all flip the script and build a more inclusive vision of growing older.

Episode Links

https://www.agefriendlyvibes.com

https://www.asaging.org

ASA Ageism Awareness Day Homepage

Social Media Toolkit

Fact Sheet 

Contact Sara: [email protected]

Becca Levy’s Breaking the Age Code

Aging Unfiltered: The Power of Intergenerational Advocacy – with Arielle Galinsky

Aging Unfiltered: The Power of Human Connections Across Generations - with Shari Foos

https://www.smpresource.org

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Podcast: ageguide.org/the-age-guide-podcast
Website: ageguide.org

In this episode of Aging Unfiltered, we explore what it really means to create an age-friendly workplace. Marla Fronczak, CEO of AgeGuide, Jeri Colucy, Director of Operations, Finance & Human Resources, and Dr. Brian Kaskie, Professor at the University of Iowa, come together to share personal stories, research insights, and practical strategies to build inclusive work environments that support people at every stage of life.

From Marla’s own journey of career transition in midlife to Jeri’s human resources experience, this conversation dives deep into how employers can lead with empathy, flexibility, and foresight. Dr. Kaskie shares key findings from his research, including how the AARP Employer Pledge and simple job redesigns can boost recruitment and retention, especially as older adults continue working longer out of passion or necessity.

Plus, don’t miss this episode’s special “Medicaid Moment” featuring Lore Baker, a valued member of AgeGuide’s Advisory Council and CEO of A.I.D., as she breaks down the latest Medicaid changes and what it means for older adults in our region.

Whether you’re an HR professional, a job seeker over 50, or someone rethinking your workplace culture, this episode challenges assumptions and offers tools for real change.

Resources:

AARP Employer Pledge Program

Take Action Today – AgeGuide

Efforts to Address the Aging Academic Workforce: Assessing Progress Through a Three-Stage Model of Institutional Change

AID ⋆ Association for Individual Development ⋆ Empowering Individuals...

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Podcast: ageguide.org/the-age-guide-podcast
Website: ageguide.org

In this episode, welcome Arielle Galinsky, Harvard Kennedy School MPP candidate, CEO and co‑founder of The Legacy Project Inc., and Teen Vogue contributor, to discuss the power of intergenerational advocacy.

Arielle shares her personal journey, from her passion for aging policy to co‑founding The Legacy Project at Tufts, where college students interview and build friendships with older adults to preserve their life stories. She explains how these connections combat isolation, foster empathy, and spark policy engagement.

Whether you're a Gen Z changemaker, a caregiver, or simply care about making aging policy more equitable, this episode highlights how intergenerational connection leads to civic action and systems change.

Resources: 

The Trump Administration Is Going After Your Grandma, Teen Vogue Article

The Legacy Project

Eldera

Aging Unfiltered: The Era of Elders – with Dana Griffin

Wish Act- HR 4289

Contact Information

Send a voice message to TheAgeGuidePodcast

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Website: ageguide.org

Welcome to another episode of Aging Unfiltered. In this episode, we are honored to welcome Ashton Applewhite to the podcast for a great conversation about pushing back against ageism. Ashton is a passionate advocate, writer, and thought leader whose work focuses on dismantling ageism and promoting a more inclusive, vibrant vision of aging. She is also the author of This Chair Rocks: A Manifesto Against Ageism. Through her work, she challenges outdated narratives about aging and advocates for a more inclusive, age-positive society. In this powerful discussion we’ll dive into Ashton’s journey, explore the impact of ageism in today’s world, and discuss how we can all contribute to a future where people of all ages are empowered.

Resources

This Chair Rocks – Pushing Back Against Ageism

Ashton Applewhite: Let's end ageism | TED Talk

Ashton Applewhite (@thischairrocks) - Instagram

Take Action Today – AgeGuide

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Send a voice message to TheAgeGuidePodcast

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Podcast: ageguide.org/the-age-guide-podcast
Website: ageguide.org