Aging Matters

Conversation w/ Michelle Fiscus, MD, Chief Medical Officer, Association of Immunization Managers, about factors that may prevent older adults from getting routine vaccines, staying up to date on immunizations, and CDC-recommended vaccinations for older adults. 

Conversation w/ The Honorable Rev. Dr. John Unger, Professor, Shepherd University, about why AI-enabled technology holds potential to address challenges and improve quality of life for older adults, ways AI is currently serving this population, and factors to consider as this technology evolves. 

Conversation w/ Nicole Rochester, MD, Host, Your nEXt Chapter podcast , and Betsy Pake, Certified Master Coach, about why gray divorce is increasing, challenges and discoveries older divorced women and men experience, and how they can reimagine the future and redefine their identity.

Conversation w/ Neil Farber, MD, Internal Medicine (retired) and Author, “Treating a Broken System: A Physician’s Cure for the Healthcare Crisis,” about causes for communication breakdown between physicians and their patients, issues contributing to this problem, and advice to help patients have more productive physician visits.

Conversation w/ Greg Ferro, EdD, U.S. history and presidential election lecturer, ferro71@comcast.net , about how mid-term elections differ from presidential elections, factors likely to determine 2026 winners, and past voting records of older adults and how they may vote in this year’s election.

Conversation w/ Todd Spock, MD, Otolaryngologist and Rhinologist, about why the sense of smell declines as adults age, key impacts on the aging body and daily life, risks of loss of smell, and how this sense can be improved.

Conversation w/ Aaron Guest, PhD, Gerontologist and Assistant Professor of Aging, Arizona State University, about how climate change is harming older Americans, what health care providers are doing to address related issues for patients, and why raising awareness about effects of climate change is needed.  

Conversation w/ Robert (Bob) Keefer, PhD, Author, Hear Better, Live Longer, about hearing loss among older adults, why hearing is a brain-health issue, not just an ears issue, risks of leaving hearing loss untreated, and tips for buying and wearing hearing aids.

Conversation w/ Emily Nabors, MS, Associate Director of innovation, National Council on Aging (NCOA), about causes, risk factors, and costs associated with falls-related injuries among older adults, and available NCOA tools, resources, and evidence-based falls prevention program information.

Conversation w/ Neil Caporaso, MD, Emeritus Professor in Public Health, about obesity in the U.S., development of GLP-1 medications as a treatment for obesity and other health conditions, and pros and cons of long-term use of the drug.

Conversation w/ Aaron Zajdel, LCSW, Care Connections Manager, Goodwin Living, Northern VA, about steps involved in advanced care planning, issues to consider when preparing for future medical decisions, and completion of an advance directive to document and communicate health care wishes.

Conversation w/ Dianne Stone, Associate Director of Community Partnerships and Network Activation, National Council on Aging (NCOA), about senior center roles in the community, programs and services, benefits to older adults and their families, and winners of the 2026 NCOA Senior Center Programs of Excellence Awards.

Conversation w/ Barbara Sullivan, National Director, Village-to-Village Network, and Wendy Zenker, Executive Director, Arlington Neighborhood Village (ANV), about the village movement in the U.S., village models, services, and programs, and ANV’s work in the community.

Conversation w/ Ashley Plauche, Senior Director Brand Marketing, American Association for Homecare, about home medical products and equipment, what consumers need to know when buying them, and tips about use and safety.

Conversation w/ Elana Kieffer Blass, MBA, Director of Strategic Alliances, Gerontological Society of America (GSA), about opioid use by older adults, recognition and response to opioid overdose, and the GSA report regarding pain management and opioid safety

Conversation w/ Jacinda Shapiro, RN BSN, Certified Diabetes Care & Education Specialist, and Owner, EmpowerMe Diabetes Health, about diabetes types, risk factors, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment, and how older adults with diabetes can address underlying causes and adopt new wellness routines to stay healthy.

Conversation w/ Sharon Terry, CEO, Genetic Alliance, about genetic factors and genetic disorders, pros and cons of genetic testing, and Genetic Alliance resources.

Conversation w/ Charlie Sabatino, JD, independent consultant on aging and law, about traditional nursing home care shortcomings, development of new nursing home models, and how these models benefit residents and their families. 

Conversation w/ Steve Irwin, President/CEO, National Reverse Mortgage Lenders Association, https://www.nrmlaonline.org/ , about how reverse mortgages work including application requirements, how to know if it’s the best option, and finding the right lender.

Conversation w/ Kurt E. Gray, Principal, KEG Consulting, LLC Driver Safety Services, and Author, Planning Your Driving Retirement: A Practical Guide for Aging Drivers and Their Families, about health issues older drivers face, benefits of driving skills evaluation programs, and planning for driving retirement.

Conversation w/ Louis Tenenbaum, President and CEO, HomesRenewed Ventures, LLC, about planning ahead to age in place, how to prepare for it, and modifications that will make a home hazard free and easily accessible.

Conversation w/ Charanjit Khurana, MD, Board-Certified Interventional Cardiologist and Vascular Specialist, VHC Health Physicians, about causes, risk factors, and signs/symptoms of carotid artery disease, how it can lead to a stroke, and treatment procedures performed by interventional cardiologists for this disorder.

Conversation w/ Jen Teague, Director for Health Coverage and Benefits, NCOA, about the NCOA interactive benefits participation map that shows numbers of older adults missing out on life saving benefits programs, and local organizations that find and help enroll eligible individuals in these programs.

Conversation w/ Leah Sera, PharmD, MA, BCPS, Associate Professor, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, about medical cannabis and related products, federal and state legal status, and what to know before using cannabis products.

Conversation w/ John Lehr, President/CEO, Parkinson’s Foundation, about causes, signs/ symptoms, diagnosis/treatment options, approaches to manage symptoms and maintain active lifestyles, and recent research findings about causes and treatments.