Abundant Aging

This week on the Art of Aging , Rev. Beth Long-Higgins and Rev. Dr. Anna Hall explores how so‑called “aging congregations” can move from a mindset of decline and scarcity to one of wisdom, abundance, and imaginative discipleship. They discuss why focusing on deficits, shrinking numbers, and attracting young families at all costs harms both churches and communities, and how shifting to seeing congr...

This week on the Art of Aging , Rev. Beth Long-Higgins talks with Amy Kotterman of United Church Homes about the CMS GUIDE model, an innovative Medicare program designed to improve life for people living with dementia and support their unpaid caregivers. They explain what CMS and the GUIDE model are, who is eligible (including the need for a formal dementia diagnosis and traditional Medicare), and...

This week on the Art of Aging , Rev. Beth Long-Higgins talks with Hannah Albers, Director of Program Development at the National Center to Reframe Aging, about how language shapes our understanding of aging and drives policy, programs, and everyday interactions. Hannah shares her journey into aging services, the impact of mentors and age-diverse teams, and her own experiences with internalized age...

This week on the Art of Aging , Rev. Beth Long-Higgins speaks with psychologist and author Dr. Janis Clark Johnston about redefining retirement as a time of growth, creativity, and purpose rather than decline. They discuss how major life transitions like moving or leaving a career can stimulate the brain, the role of daily mindfulness and meditation in emotional resilience, and Dr. Johnston’s conc...

This week on the Art of Aging , Rev. Beth Long-Higgins welcomes Elizabeth (Beth) Boyd, PhD. and Rev. Susan Walker, co-creators of the Path Ahead: Spirituality and Purpose in Later Life , a curriculum that helps older adults explore the emotional and spiritual dimensions of aging. They share how the program grew from concerns that older church members felt invisible, into a facilitator training now...

This week on the Art of Aging , Rev. Beth Long-Higgins welcomes Anne Basting, writer, artist, and founder of TimeSlips, to discuss the transformative power of creativity and storytelling in dementia and elder care. Topics include the development and impact of TimeSlips, the emotional and social importance of creative engagement for both caregivers and those living with dementia, how Memory Cafes b...

This week on the Art of Aging , Rev. Beth Long-Higgins and Ashley Bills highlight lessons learned from a year of podcasts with guests who share unique perspectives on dementia, inclusivity, faith, community involvement, and overcoming fears. Listeners will discover inspiring stories of personal growth, the importance of compassionate support for all older adults, and key takeaways on embracing cha...

This week on the Art of Aging , Rev. Beth Long-Higgins welcomes Susan Wallace, President and CEO of LeadingAge Ohio, for an insightful discussion on aging in the 21st century. Topics include the evolution and importance of hospice and palliative care, differences between for-profit and nonprofit care providers, the risks of fraud in hospice services, and the innovative PACE program for comprehensi...

This week on the Art of Aging , Dr. Like Lokon, artist, educator, and founder of Opening Minds Through Art (OMA), discusses her journey from confronting a fear of dementia to developing an innovative, evidence-based art program that empowers older adults and bridges generations. The conversation explores international insights, the therapeutic power of creativity, breaking down power dynamics in c...

This week on the Art of Aging , Dr. Leanne Clark Shirley, CEO of the American Society on Aging, joins Rev. Beth Long-Higgins to discuss the evolving landscape of aging in America. They explore the universality of aging, the importance of bridging generational and political divides, and the need to celebrate longevity gains while addressing challenges like ageism and public health. The conversation...

This week on the Art of Aging , Dr. Catrinel Tromp, a cognitive psychologist and creativity researcher, joins Rev. Beth Long-Higgins to explore how constraints can actually fuel creativity, especially as we age. They discuss the myths surrounding creativity, the impact of ageism and ableism, and the difference between “big C” and everyday creativity. Listeners will learn how to reframe limitations...

This week on the Art of Aging , host Rev. Beth Long-Higgins welcomes Dr. Susan McFadden, a leading advocate for dementia-friendly communities and Professor Emerita of Psychology at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh. Susan discusses the power of creativity, imagination, and community in supporting people living with dementia. The conversation also explores the origins and impact of Memory Cafes,...

This week on the Art of Aging , host Rev. Beth Long-Higgins welcomes Elizabeth Stamm, a board-certified music therapist, about the transformative power of music therapy in the lives of older adults. The discussion explores what music therapy is, how it addresses non-musical goals, and the importance of creativity, improvisation, and human connection in the healing process. Elizabeth shares persona...

This week on the Art of Aging, host Rev. Beth Long-Higgins welcomes Kelly de la Rocha, Founder of poemRENOVATION, a creative platform that allows people to reimagine poetry by rearranging words from literary passages. Born from her personal experience of using poetry to process emotions, the digital and print-based tool has found remarkable success across generations, particularly in elder care se...

This week on the Art of Aging, host Rev. Beth Long-Higgins welcomes Margaret McDonald, an award-winning writer and pro-aging advocate. During the conversation, Margaret shares her passionate journey combating ageism through language, art, and personal experience. She discusses how her own workplace challenges in her late 40s sparked her advocacy, highlighting the pervasive and often subtle ways ag...

This week on the Art of Aging , host Rev. Beth Long-Higgins welcomes social gerontologist Jeanette Leardi, social gerontologist, community educator, public speaker, and author of the recently published book, “Aging Sideways: Changing Our Perspectives on Getting Older. ” During the conversation, Jeanette discusses strategies for positive aging, including being flexible, skeptical, broad-minded, and...

This week on the Art of Aging , host Rev. Beth Long-Higgins welcomes Erin Maruzzella, Founder and Managing Partner of Healthspan Business Partners. Erin shares her journey from speech therapy to systems thinking in healthcare and technology. She discusses the critical intersections of aging, digital access, and AI, emphasizing the importance of upstream problem-solving and inclusive design. Erin a...

Highlights from this week’s conversation include: Documentary Filmmaking Importance (2:32) The Impact of Documentaries (3:55) Keeping Biases in Check (7:43) Creative Process and Audience Engagement (11:16) Empowerment Through Film (14:18) Real-Time Feedback from Screenings (18:51) Loneliness Epidemic and Documentary Response (23:02) Personal Impact of Caregiving (26:36) Choosing Future Projects (2...

Highlights from this week’s conversation include: Welcoming Amy to the Podcast (1:28) Amy's Passion for Aging (2:38) Basics of the OMA Program (8:11) Empowering Artists in OMA (9:33) The Importance of Naming Art (12:02) Mental Health and OMA (14:59) Adapting OMA Post-Pandemic (17:55) OMA at Home Pilot Program (19:45) Respite Adaptation of OMA (20:41) Getting Started with OMA (23:10) Global Impact...

Highlights from this week’s conversation include: Welcome Sherrill to the Podcast (1:02) Engaging with the LGBTQ+ Community (2:48) Refusal to Be Invisible (5:03) Creating Safe Spaces (8:12) Sherrill’s Journey into LGBTQ+ Advocacy (11:05) Supporting Grandparents of LGBTQ+ Youth (15:03) Advocacy Through Personal Connections (19:25) SAGE Table Program (22:58) SAGE Hear Me Program (24:12) National Res...

Highlights from this week’s conversation include: Daphne's Background and the story of RFA (1:23) Scaling the Model (4:34) From Local to National (5:27) Volunteer Training (11:36) Signature Stories of the Ministry (13:15) Community Connection (18:06) Essentials for Starting an RFA chapter (20:59) Respite Program Overview (23:44) Foundation Growth (25:51) Volunteer Impact (27:58) Dementia-Friendly...

Highlights from this week’s conversation include: Beth's Background and Journey to OAAAA (1:15) Legal Aid and Advocacy (2:20) Understanding Area Agencies on Aging (5:23) Challenges in Awareness (8:46) Changing Perceptions of Aging (10:56) The Role of Reframing Aging (12:52) Impact of Language on Policy (14:19) Personal Transformations (17:49) Age-Friendly Messaging (22:10) Understanding Ageism (24...

Highlights from this week’s conversation include: Lisa’s Background and Founder Journey (1:26) Inspiration Behind Ōmcare (2:13) Challenges of Medication Management (6:37) Remote Assistance for Medication (9:29) User-Triggered Assistance (11:37) Interventions for Non-Adherence (15:12) Biometric Integration (17:15) Camera-Based Biometrics (18:22) Role of Home Care Technology (20:58) AI in Medication...

Highlights from this week’s conversation include: Inspiration Behind the Institute (1:42) Akron Art Museum's Mission (4:22) Feedback from Participants (7:50) Community and Collaboration (10:20) Legacy of Artistic Creation (12:32) Art Glass Workshop Experience (15:24) Intergenerational Connections (19:35) Studio 55 Plus Initiative (22:02) Community Building Through Art (25:17) Art as Communication...

Highlights from this week’s conversation include: Janine’s Background and Journey to Changing the Narrative (1:24) Entering the Ageism Movement (4:59) Focus on Workplace Age Discrimination (8:10) Challenges of Ageism in the Workforce (9:20) Intergenerational Relationships (10:22) Addressing Stereotypes (11:31) The Importance of Collaboration (14:03) Empowering Older Individuals (16:39) Assumptions...