Age of Aging

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 fo...

The air around us is invisible, but its effects on the brain are becoming harder to ignore. Research now links long-term exposure to air pollution with increased Alzheimer's pathology, cognitive decline, and greater dementia risk, and older adults face the greatest threat.  On this episode of The Age of Aging, we go inside that science. Dr. Eddie Lee shares new findings from the University of Penn...

A longer lifespan is one of humanity’s greatest achievements. It also raises urgent questions about caregiving, financial security, and how we prepare for life after 65. On this episode of  The Age of Aging , we take a look at the financial challenges that come with living longer.  First, Terrence Casey moderates a wide-ranging conversation with Surya Kolluri of the TIAA Institute and Dr. Mary Nay...

The history of dementia research is a story of scientific progress stalled and derailed for nearly a century. 120 years ago, psychiatrist Alois Alzheimer made a groundbreaking discovery in the brain of a 55-year-old woman named Auguste Deter. Unfortunately, social and political turmoil would mean that his findings would not be widely understood until the end of the 20th century.   On this episode...

What does it mean to age well? For soprano Lucy Shelton, the answer may lie in music itself. At 82, Shelton recently made her debut at the Metropolitan Opera — performing in the world premiere of  Innocence , a Finnish opera about a school shooting, sung in nine languages. On this episode of  The Age of Aging , Dr. Jason Karlawish sits down with Shelton to explore her remarkable career, the relati...

Exercise is one of the greatest things we can do for longevity and, according to Dr. Art Kramer, it’s never too late to start. On this episode of  The Age of Aging,  we look at one of the most accessible forms of exercise: running. We hear from competitive older runners about how they started, what keeps them going, and what running has given them over time.    Inside this episode:  4:13  – “Make...

How do you grieve someone who is still standing in front of you? In this episode, we go beyond the medical diagnosis to explore Ambiguous Loss, the “long goodbye” that defines the dementia experience. It is a journey of grieving every day while the person you love is still living.    Inside this episode:  2:59  – "I Want to Go Home": Dr. Jason Karlawish uses poetry to dissect a fading mind.  12:01...

 Nearly a year and a half ago, we released the Season 2 episode “In Sickness and in Health,” which explored new anti-amyloid therapies for Alzheimer’s disease, lecanemab and donanemab, known commercially as Leqembi and Kisunla.  After more than three years of lecanemab and nearly two years of donanemab in clinical use, how do patients, caregivers, and clinicians view these treatments today?  In th...

We often think of dementia as an interior condition, one that happens within a person’s mind, independent of the outside world. However, as dementia and design experts note, we are in constant contact with our environments, and people with dementia are profoundly impacted by the spaces they occupy. How do we design a world for people with cognitive change? And what do the environments traditionall...

Being intentional about our diet is one of the best things we can do for the health and longevity of our brain. But what exactly is a healthy brain diet—and how do we make it realistic?    In the season 5 premiere of the Age of Aging , we break down the science and strategy behind the MIND diet and what it looks like to shop and eat for cognitive longevity.    Inside this episode:  Terrence sits d...

In season 4 of the Age of Aging , we decided to end every interview with the same question: what do you wish people understood more about aging?     In this special bonus episode of the podcast, we share some of their answers. They remind us of the prevalence of ageism, the many benefits of old age, and that we always have the ability to grow and change at any age.      Special thanks this episode...

The year 2025 was full of breakthroughs, debates, and big questions in Alzheimer’s research. One event that shaped many of these conversations? The Clinical Trials on Alzheimer’s Disease (CTAD) Conference . It may not have been on everyone’s radar, but its impact was undeniable.    In this special episode, Penn Memory Center Co-Directors Dr. Jason Karlawish and Dr. David Wolk share what stood out...

Art that tries to teach you things “stinks,” says playwright and actor Jake Broder.  “And yet there is a profound need for education, for awareness, for reducing stigma, for supporting the community and for medical education,” he said. A few years ago, while writing his latest play about the two individuals with frontotemporal dementia, he wrestled with how he could do both.  In the season 4 final...

If you asked most caregivers, they would probably say there’s nothing funny about caring for someone with dementia. The stress, grief, and frustration can feel overwhelming. But what if the principles of improv comedy — being present, saying “yes,” and working together — could make caregiving easier and more joyful?  In this episode of the Age of Aging , we explore the surprising connection betwee...

Artificial intelligence is everywhere in 2025, and elder care is no exception. As the older adult population continues to grow, AI has the potential to provide desperately needed support. Both at home and in the hospital, AI systems are being developed that can summarize data, predict patient outcomes, and offer preventative interventions. These systems could help clinicians be more efficient as w...

Innovation in dementia care is revolutionizing the way we diagnose and treat older adults with neurodegenerative diseases. New tests have allowed doctors to diagnose patients with diseases like Alzheimer’s more accurately than ever before. The anti-amyloid therapies Lecanemab and Donanemab provide a real treatment for those living with Alzheimer’s. While these innovations are incredible for those...

Although the  Age of Aging often focuses on science, art has been a recurring theme. In Season 2, Episode 2, “Diet, Exercise, and... Doodling?”, we explored how creativity can support longevity. However, beyond art’s apparent health benefits, making and consuming art can also help us better understand the experience of aging. In many ways, the change and loss associated with aging are best underst...

Over the past year, the Age of Aging has spoken with expert clinicians who study the brain, as well as individuals living with neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s. We believe that these two perspectives are essential for fully understanding dementia in 2025.   In today’s episode, we hear from someone who can speak to both perspectives.   Dr. Daniel Gibbs is a retired neurologist and author...

At the Penn Memory Center, we often recommend exercise, social engagement, and a solid support system to help people age well. Owning a dog is not on that list, but maybe it should be. For many older adults, dogs are more than companions. They’re motivators to stay active, reasons to connect with neighbors, and steady sources of comfort through life’s challenges. Emerging research suggests that th...

When we think about justice, older adults aren’t always top of mind. Yet in the United States, seniors often face stigma, exploitation, and insufficient social support, all while navigating cognitive and physical decline. As lifespans continue to grow globally, aging is a future we all hope to reach. So how do we ensure that future is just? And what does justice for older adults truly look like?  ...

Welcome to a mid-year bonus episode of The Age of Aging ! While the podcast takes a short break between seasons, we wanted to bring you a special update on the state of Alzheimer’s today. Penn Memory Center Co-Directors Dr. Jason Karlawish and Dr. David Wolk sat down with Terrence Casey to share their reflections from this year’s Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC), which they...

When we talk about dementia on this podcast, we are often talking about its most common cause: Alzheimer's disease. However, dementia has many causes, and among the most prevalent after Alzheimer’s is Lewy Body Disease. Though it can share similarities with Alzheimer’s, Lewy Body Dementia (LBD) has distinct symptoms and challenges that can complicate diagnosis, treatment, and caregiving.    On the...

Sex and intimacy can be difficult topics to navigate, especially for caregivers and their partners facing the challenges of a dementia diagnosis. These conversations are often avoided, yet the emotional toll of intimacy-related struggles can be profound, bringing feelings of grief, confusion, and isolation. The stigma surrounding sex and dementia only deepens this silence, making open dialogue all...

The U.S. healthcare system is changing — especially when it comes to caring for older adults. The COVID-19 pandemic revealed how vulnerable our aging population is, and how unprepared many parts of the system remain. Overstressed nursing homes, overworked primary care physicians, and a lack of accessible resources for dementia care remain persistent challenges.    But there’s hope. New technologie...

We often think of dementia as something that affects the oldest among us, and that’s often true; at the Penn Memory Center, the average age of diagnosis is between 70 and 75. In most of those cases, caregiving falls to a spouse, partner, or adult child. But what happens when dementia is diagnosed before the age of 65?   In this episode of the Age of Aging, we explore early onset dementia and the y...