At The Age of Aging, we know that the stories we tell about dementia shape the perceptions, resources, and, ultimately, the lived experience of people with the condition. As such, it is our number one priority to understand what narratives serve an aging population and which ones are better left in the past.  

For the Season 5 finale, our team reflects on a special report from Hastings Center for Bioethics, Living with Dementia: Learning from Cultural Narratives of Aging Societies. Through a series of personal audio essays, some familiar voices from this season explore how cultural narratives influence the lived experience of dementia—and how new stories might help us build a more compassionate, creative, and supportive future. 

Inside this episode: 

4:21 – Managing Dependence: Dr. Jason Karlawish discusses Mercer Gary's essay on assistive technologies in dementia care. He explores the tension between fears of technological dependence and hopes that technology can eliminate dependence altogether. 

11:47 – Creativity, Collaboration, and Dementia: Terrence Casey, editorial director and co-host of The Age of Aging, reflects on Julia Henderson's essay examining participatory arts programs and how projects like Anne Basting's Penelope Project challenge conventional narratives about dementia. 

16:19 – Learning from History: Dr. Emily Largent discusses Jesse Ballenger's essay on the history of dementia. She explores how modern anxieties about cognitive decline are shaped by changing ideas about identity, aging, and selfhood. 

20:15 – New Narratives for a More Just Future: Producer and Co-Host Jake Johnson examines how cultural narratives influence dementia care and why imagining ourselves into the lives of people living with dementia and caregivers is essential to meaningful social change. 

25:34 – Rethinking Housing and Care: Dr. Holly Elser discusses supportive housing as a promising model for people living with dementia, offering an alternative to the traditional divide between aging in place and institutional care. 

28:14 – Season 5 Reflections: Dr. Jason Karlawish, Jake Johnson, and Terrence Casey discuss their favorite episodes from the season, lessons learned from reporting on aging and dementia, and what listeners can expect this summer and in Season 6. 

Resources available on the episode webpage linked below 

Special thanks this episode to Jason Karlawish, MD, Emily Largent, PhD, JD, RN, Jake Johnson, and Holly Elser, MD, PhD, MPH. 

The Age of Aging is a Penn Memory Center production, hosted by Editorial Director Terrence Casey and Producer Jake Johnson. Contributors include Dalia El Said, Jason Karlawish, Emily Largent, Alison Lynnn, and Morgann Adams. 

The show is made possible by generous support from the Michael Naidoff Communications Hub Fund and Lena Chao. 

Caring for an aging loved one isn’t easy — but you don’t have to do it alone. At Rothkoff Law Group, families across New Jersey and Pennsylvania receive guidance through every stage of the aging journey. Their team of elder care attorneys, geriatric care coordinators, care coordinators, and public benefits specialists advocate for your loved one’s well-being and your peace of mind. 

Rothkoff Law Group — your partner in elder care advocacy and senior care planning every step of the way. Visit RothkoffLaw.com for more information.