If you speak with anyone in the Care industry about their number one challenge, staffing usually tops the list. In this episode we unpick elements which might make it easier to recruit and - as important - retain staff.

Perhaps you’ve noticed that recent immigration policy and Brexit haven’t helped! Join us as there are some environmental ‘easy wins’ which Lori discusses with this month’s special guest, Karolina Gerlich, CEO of The Care Workers’ Charity.

What if access to nature were seen as essential, not optional, in eldercare? In this episode, Susan Ryan of The Green House Project explores how integrating outdoor space and the rhythms of the natural world into small-home care models is transforming life for residents and staff alike.

From gardens that spark memory to front porches that foster connection, the Green House approach goes far beyond traditional design. With a focus on small homes, empowered staff teams, and person-directed living, this approach offers more than just better outcomes - it reignites purpose and joy for both residents and carers. For care providers seeking a meaningful, sustainable shift, this is essential listening. Prepare to be inspired!

For links to resources related to this episode, please visit us at ⁠⁠thirdage.design/podcasts/⁠ - and while you're there, hit the Join Us button! We'll show our thanks for your interest by sending you our periodic, exclusive - and free! - TAD Extra.

What happens when dementia care meets life on the farm? In this episode of Third Age Design, Lori Pinkerton-Rolet talks with Rebekah Churchyard, founder of Green Care Farms - Canada’s first dementia day program on a working farm. Discover how alpacas, goats, gardening, and the great outdoors bring joy, connection, and a renewed sense of purpose to participants. Rooted in biophilic design and inspired by personal experience, this innovative model is changing lives.

And there are aspects of this programme which translate to other settings, so have a listen and prepare to be inspired!

In this episode, Lori and tile expert, Luke Thurtle, dive into the world of tile design, offering essential advice for senior environment designers, architects, and care home owner/operators. Luke tackles the confusion around slip resistance, explains why aiming for an R13 rating isn’t always the best choice and advocates for pendulum testing in wet and dry conditions. He also shares insights on the growing sustainability of tile production, the longevity of ceramic and porcelain, and the benefits of epoxy grout for areas requiring high resilience and hygiene control. And, you'll get a sneak peek at future trends, from large-format tiles to exciting geometric designs for senior care spaces.

For our listeners: this recording was a TAD EXTRA that was too good not to share to our wider podcast audience. Please enjoy this further exploration of our visit to The Hogeweyk, the world famous, world class dementia village on the outskirts of Amsterdam, Netherlands.

Then Join Us at thirdage.design to make sure you enjoy all of the benefits of being part of our community. Because, remember...

We do the legwork. You get the edge! (And it's free.)

Bariatric care is a crucial consideration in care settings, and specifically addresses the needs of plus-sized individuals. TAD host, Lori Pinkerton-Rolet, talks to expert Tracy Carr, of Fat Lot She Knows, to explore essential design solutions, including supportive furniture, wider spaces and staff training to create safer, more inclusive spaces that cater for higher weight needs. This month’s Innovation Spotlight shines a light on a robust, yet impressively compact, mobility scooter that offers individuals with limited mobility greater comfort and independence.

For links to resources related to this episode - there are a lot this month! - please visit us at ⁠thirdage.design/s5e03 - and while you're there, hit the Join Us button! We'll show our thanks for your interest by sending you our periodic, exclusive - and free! - TAD Extra.

Biophilia was coined from a theory of the biologist, E. O. Wilson, who stated that human beings have an innate and even genetically determined affinity to nature. In other words, it is important that this connection is kept to facilitate wellness. In this episode, Dr. Vanessa Champion, editor and founder of The Journal of Biophilic Design, joins Lori to review initiatives which can be taken in senior living environments in response to this very human need... and why these interventions are necessary.

For links to resources related to this episode - there are a lot this month! - please visit us at thirdage.design/s5e02 - and while you're there, hit the Join Us button! We'll show our thanks for your interest by sending you our periodic, exclusive - and free! - TAD Extra.

As Russian artist, Wassily Kandinsky, said: “Colour is a power which directly influences the soul.” As designers of retirement, care or dementia facilities we know that some older people may spend a great deal of time indoors, therefore colour and associated finishes become a critical tool in the development of uplifting and enjoyable environments. Join Lori and her guests Tony Westgarth and Dawn Scott from Akzo Nobel, one of the world’s largest paint companies, as they discuss paint colour palettes and finishes recommended for older people…and why!

For links to resources related to this episode, please visit us at thirdage.design/s5e01 - and while you're there, hit the Join Us button! We'll show our thanks for your interest by sending you our periodic, exclusive - and free! - TAD Extra.

In our Year End Special, host Lori Pinkerton-Rolet travels to the Netherlands to interview Eloy van Hal, co-founder of Hogeweyk Village, the renowned, pioneering dementia care facility. How does the supermarket function has the hub of the care home? Why should we be redefining safety and risk when it comes to dementia environments? Listen to find out the lessons learned, what has changed since this ground-breaking facility opened 15 years ago, and where dementia care could go from here.

For links to resources related to this episode, please visit us at thirdage.design/hogeweyk-lessons - and while you're there, hit the Join Us button! We'll show our thanks for your interest by sending you our periodic, exclusive - and free! - TAD Extra.