Aging Together // Unfiltered

Send us Fan Mail Summer is a great time to get outdoors, but extreme heat can be a source of concern for many older adults. It’s important to emphasize safety precautions and consider physical limitations when participating in outdoor activities as older adults. In this episode, I take a dive into outdoor activities for seniors, followed by tips on nutrition, hydration, and skin care for older adu...

Send us Fan Mail July is National Bereaved Parents Awareness Month, dedicated to a parent’s journey following the loss of a child. It is also a time to advocate for and raise awareness of one’s life after the loss of a child, or children. This episode takes a dive into the impact of bereavement on older adults and seniors who experience the loss of a child or children. Throughout this episode, I p...

Send us Fan Mail National Anti-Boredom Month is a great opportunity to explore new activities and interests, especially for older adults who may be more prone to boredom. Research shows that boredom, or lack of engagement in stimulating activities, can impact cognition, physical function, and mental health over time. As the old saying goes, “An idle mind is a devil’s workshop, and boredom is the d...

Send us Fan Mail Language is an essential part of human communication, and it plays a crucial role in our daily lives. The prevalence of foreign languages in the United States has significant implications for health literacy levels among non-native English speakers. In bilingual individuals, regression to a primary language may be associated with development of cognitive impairment and increased r...

Send us Fan Mail As we celebrate Independence Day, it is important to remember the significance of independence for older adults. Maintaining independence is a crucial aspect of aging, and it is important to encourage seniors to participate in activities that promote their independence. In this week’s episode, I’m providing some fun activities for seniors to participate in during the holiday week,...

Send us Fan Mail Rachel, Sydney, and I are all occupational therapists with specialized focus on geriatric and dementia care in the home and community. This episode is a fireside chat amongst us, discussing the ins and outs of home and community options for dementia care.  Dementia-Friendly Activities Looking for activities for someone with dementia? Find puzzles, games, & more at Assistex. Di...

Send us Fan Mail Pride Month is an annual celebration that recognizes the LGBTQ+ community's accomplishments and advocates for equal rights and acceptance. Traditionally celebrated in June, Pride Month commemorates the Stonewall Uprising of 1969, a pivotal event in LGBTQ+ history. It serves as a time to celebrate the achievements and contributions of the LGBTQ+ community while promoting equal...

Send us Fan Mail Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can affect people of all ages, including older adults. As we observe PTSD Awareness Month, it is crucial to shed light on how this condition manifests in the aging population, its impact on aging, and the necessary care and management strategies. In this episode, I am exploring the key aspects of PTSD in older...

Send us Fan Mail Alzheimer's & Brain Awareness Month provides an excellent opportunity to shed light on the importance of cognitive health in aging adults. As our population continues to age, understanding the factors influencing cognitive decline and implementing strategies to maintain and manage brain health becomes increasingly crucial. In this episode, I’m taking a dive into Alzheimer...

Send us Fan Mail Speech Language Pathologists (aka Speech Therapists) evaluate or assess for any potential speech, language, cognition, or swallowing disorders. For the geriatric population, they may evaluate an individual in any of these areas, whether it be from general aging, or from a diagnosis of dementia, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, stroke or other neurodegenerative and neurogenic disorders. T...

Send us Fan Mail Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. ALS damages the motor neurons that control voluntary muscles, causing them to die. As a result, people with ALS may experience muscle weakness, difficulty speaking, swallowing, and breathing. This episode di...

Send us Fan Mail May is APIDA Heritage Month. The APIDA population is rapidly growing and aging in the United States. According to the US Census Bureau, the APIDA population in the US is projected to more than double from 23.1 million in 2020 to 51.9 million by 2060, making it the fastest growing racial/ethnic group in the country. However, the aging experiences of APIDA individuals are not unifor...

Send us Fan Mail May is Mental Health Awareness Month! Mental health is an important aspect of overall health, and older adults are particularly vulnerable to mental health issues. According to the National Council on Aging , approximately one in four adults aged 65 or older experiences a mental health disorder. This number is expected to rise as the population of older adults in the United States...

Send us Fan Mail In this final episode of April, we returned to a spotlight on OT Month! In this week's episode, I reviewed a case study showcasing how an occupational therapist can be an excellent asset in the community as an independent consultant. This episode takes you through a real story of how a family member used an independent OT consultant to help them with their situation and there...

Send us Fan Mail Occupational therapy as a senior care consultant is a critical aspect of care for aging adults and their families/caregivers. By providing a holistic approach to care that addresses physical, cognitive, and emotional needs, an OT can help to improve quality of life, promote independence, and prevent or delay the need for more intensive care. For those seeking support for themselve...

Send us Fan Mail Driving is one of those super touchy topics as loved ones get older. You don’t quite know if they should still be driving, and you definitely don’t know how to approach the subject with them. Did you know there are professionals who can help you navigate it all? This episode dives into occupational therapy, driver's rehab, and signs your loved one may need to consider driving...

Send us Fan Mail Stress is a common experience among older adults, with research showing that up to 34% of older adults report high levels of stress . There are several reasons why older adults may experience stress, including physical and cognitive changes, financial concerns, social isolation, and changes in social roles. This episode dives into these various reasons for stress, how an OT can he...

Send us Fan Mail April is OT Month! As the global population continues to age, the importance of occupational therapy in supporting the physical, emotional, and social well-being of older adults and their families is becoming increasingly recognized. Occupational therapy practitioners are trained to address the unique needs of older adults, including those related to physical and cognitive decline...

Send us Fan Mail Occupational therapists can help individuals with visual impairments to improve their quality of life by providing support, education, and resources to help them achieve their goals and maintain their independence. This episode dives into five (5) specific intervention groups an occupational therapist may use or suggest during vision rehab.  Support the show

Send us Fan Mail As we age, our bodies go through several changes, and our eyes are no exception. Our eyes' ability to see and focus on objects changes with time, and many people experience visual changes as they grow older. These changes can impact an individual's overall health, independence, and quality of life, as well as their families' wellbeing. This episode explores the top...

Send us Fan Mail It's National Nutrition Month! Nutrition is a very important topic for all people. However, when we look at aging specific, it is a key ingredient to healthy aging. This episode, we sit down with a Registered Dietitian and discuss the important of good nutrition and what that means for healthy aging.  Support the show

Send us Fan Mail As women age, they face unique challenges and disparities compared to their male counterparts. In many societies, women are more likely than men to provide care for family members, including children, elderly parents, and partners. This episode dives into the statistics, societal roles and expectations, and the impact of caregiving on women as they age.  Support the show

Send us Fan Mail This episode is an interview with Sagar Pandya, husband of this show's host! Sagar shares his lived experience in caring for himself and his family after his father experienced a sudden cardiac emergency. He also highlights the cultural values as related to caregiving within our Indian community. Finally, he provides four pieces of advice for others in prepping for healthcare...

Send us Fan Mail With aging, the risk of developing cardiovascular problems increases. This episode explores the relationship between cardiovascular health and aging and the importance of preventative health strategies. It also discusses the impact of poor cardiovascular health on families and caregivers.  Support the show

Send us Fan Mail This episode is an interview with Nadine Prince-Rosemond. Nadine shares her lived experience in caring for her aging mother with dementia as a Black woman. She also elaborates on the institutional racism that continues to prove prohibitive to long-term care planning within the Black community.  Support the show