Aging Matters

Conversation w/ Nancye Lewis, tax preparer, Thurston CPA, about Federal and State tax information to help prepare 2025 tax returns, free tax preparation resources, and volunteer income tax assistance.

Conversation w/ Catherine Diaz-Asper, PhD, Associate Professor, Psychology/Associate Director of Research, Center for Optimal Aging, Marymount University, Arlington, VA, about risk factors affecting brain health, tips for maintaining a healthy brain, and research about preventing cognitive decline and dementia.

Conversation w/ Stephanie Forster, E.P. CCRP, Cardiopulmonary Rehab Coordinator, and Sarah Nicodemus, CCRP, ACSM-EP, Exercise Physiologist, Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation, VHC Health. about risk factors, signs/symptoms, diagnosis, and treatments of PAD, how a healthy lifestyle can manage the disease, and cardiopulmonary rehabilitation program benefits.

Conversation w/ Santa Claus about aging in place with Mrs. Claus at the North Pole, toy production with elves, decision-making about who’s naughty and who’s nice, worldwide travel issues, and retirement considerations. 

Conversation w/ Elana Sullivan, MS, RD, Registered Dietitian, Arlington, VA Agency on Aging, about why healthy eating is key for older adults, how diet culture and food noise affect attitudes about food, and how intuitive eating can help develop a healthy relationship with food, especially during the holidays.

Conversation w/ Jason Elmore, EPIO, CPC-PIO, Deputy Director of Strategic Communications and Chief Spokesperson, Virginia Department of Emergency Management, about personal preparation for disasters and emergency events and how emergency management department programs provide resources and assistance to communities. 

Conversation w/ Greg Ferro, EdD, U.S. History Educator and Lecturer, about the history of the Supreme Court of the United States, past and present justices, how cases are selected and handled by the Court, and significant decisions the Court has made this year. 

Conversation w/ Joan Carpenter, PhD, CRNP, Associate Professor, Organizational Systems and Adult Health, University of Maryland School of Nursing, about similarities and differences between palliative care and hospice care, and hospice facts, including eligibility, care providers, services, and care settings.

Conversation w/ Michelle Fiscus, MD, FAAP, Chief Medical Officer, Association of Immunization Managers, about when older adults should get COVID-19 and RSV vaccines, annual flu shot, and other immunizations needed to avoid health complications and stay healthy as they age.

Conversation w/ Michelle Thomas, MPA, Coordinator, Virginia Insurance Counseling and Assistance Program, about the basics and resources of Medicare, how beneficiaries can enroll, and where to get advice about the program. 

Conversation w/ Omair Yousuf, MD, Cardiac Electrophysiologist, and Director, Cardiac Electrophysiology and Arrhythmia Services, VHC Health, about causes, risk factors and common symptoms of AFib, diagnostic tools, treatment, and prevention, and how those living with AFib can reduce symptoms and improve quality of life.

Conversation w/ Robert Hong, MD, Radiation Oncologist, VHC Health, Arlington, VA, about risk factors, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of osteoarthritis, and use of LDRT as a re-emerging approach to osteoarthritis treatment.

Conversation w/ Jill Harkavy-Friedman, PhD, Senior Vice President of Research, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), about risk factors, intervention, and prevention strategies for older adults at risk of suicide and how AFSP and other resources help support family members affected by suicide.

Conversation w/ Sara Williams, President, Funeral Consumers Alliance, about choices, services, logistics, and costs associated with arranging a funeral or memorial service, and how the Funeral Consumers Alliance helps families be prepared and protected when planning a funeral for themselves or their loved ones.

Conversation w/ Nicholas Schor, MD, Geriatric Psychiatrist, Olney Geriatric Psychiatry, LLC, www.olneypsychiatry.com, about mental health disorders among older adults, including treatment and prevention, and how misinformation and ageism impact healthcare provider attitudes towards these patients.

Conversation w/ Daniel Sanders, President/CEO, Four Sales, Ltd., about estate sale planning, hiring and working with an estate sale company, and etiquette rules for estate sale shoppers. 

Conversation w/ Kathy Cameron, BS Pharm, MPH, Pharmacist and Healthy Aging Consultant, about older adult medication use, risks of multiple prescriptions and over the counter drugs, and how deprescribing and medication reviews can maximize benefits of medicines and reduce risks.  

Conversation w/ Jennifer Pickett, Co-Executive Director, National Association of Senior & Specialty Move Managers, about issues older adults may face when downsizing and moving and how senior move managers can help navigate the process. 

Conversation w/ Katherine Schweit, JD, Author, Attorney, Former Senior FBI Official, about becoming an author, and the benefits of creative writing for older adults and how they can get started.

Conversation w/ Sara Pappa, PhD, MCHES, Associate Professor, College of Health and Education, Marymount University, Arlington, VA, and Director, Northern Virginia Falls Prevention Alliance, about causes and risk factors associated with falls-related injuries among older adults, and falls prevention programs and projects to help prevent injury and death.

Conversation w/ Cathi Coridan, MA, Co-Founder & Co-Chair, Serving Seniors Real Estate Mastermind & Referral Network, about issues older adults face when relocating, preparation for the transition, and how a Seniors Real Estate Specialist can help.

Conversation w/ Terry Fulmer, PhD, RN, FAAN, President, The John A. Hartford Foundation, and Ken Dychtwald, PhD, Founder/CEO, Age Wave, about eldercare responsibilities related to caregiving for elder relatives, challenges facing workers who provide eldercare, and elements to be included in a work-life policy.

Conversation w/ Michael Bouchard, Management Consultant and Member, Arlington VA Commission on Aging, about the need for older adults to plan ahead when considering aging in place and selecting a housing option that helps them maintain independence as long as possible.

Conversation w/ Sophia Ross, Digital Media and Grant Program Strategist, Capitol Hill Village, and Sherrill Wayland, MSW, Senior Director of Special Initiatives and Partnerships, SAGE Advocacy and Services for LGBTQ+ Elders, about how social stigma prevents LGBTQ+ older adults from living in certain communities, receive health and social services, and find housing. Resources to address these issue...

Conversation w/ David Jara, Au. D., Clinical Audiologist, about hearing loss among older adults and what to know about hearing aids and assistive listening devices.