News for the Ages by Rethinking Aging Club

In this News for the Ages episode we discussed the issue of older adults being lured into unlicensed adult family homes also known as small group care homes in Maryland, where they are charged significantly less but receive substandard care. Despite hundreds of complaints since 2023, only one referral for prosecution has been made. The conversation covered why enforcement of regulations is difficu...

Live from Japan, Ginger Griggs presented the critical challenge of maintaining adequate transportation services due to the convergence of the aging and declining population, along with depopulation in rural areas (which can leave residents stuck in a “ transportation desert”). With about 1/3 of our population in Japan 65+ years old, and a huge percent of them living alone, the ability to get out t...

In this News for the Ages episode Benjamin Surmi highlighted the trend of senior living communities on college campuses, noting the financial benefits to colleges but warned of the challenges of integrating seniors into campus life. Buyer beware. Elizabeth Magallon Fleury discussed the hidden costs of downsizing, emphasizing the need for strategic planning and adaptive design.  Ellen Khalifa share...

November is National Family Caregiver Month. November 11 is Veteran’s Day. We discussed the McKinsey Health Institute's report on investing in healthy aging in the USA, which projects that $1 invested in healthy aging interventions could yield $3 in economic and healthcare benefits. Key interventions include transportation, housing, and public safety. The report highlights a median ROI of 3.0...

Benjamin Surmi highlighted three election day ballot items: a $3 billion dementia research center in Texas, a proposal to invest Washington's payroll taxes into the stock market, and a change in Maine regarding absentee voting for older adults. Debbie Howard shared insights from GetSetUp's 2025 Active Aging Report, emphasizing the importance of digital literacy and health literacy for ol...

We discussed key trends in senior living, including building in last frontier markets, combating obsolescence, incorporating biophilia and sustainability, and local inspiration in this episode of News for the Ages by Rethinking Aging Club podcast. Senior Living faces a shortage of new units, with occupancy expected to reach 90% by 2026. We also covered retirement concerns, highlighting that only 3...

October 20, 2025 was World Osteoporosis Day and October is Menopause Awareness Month. Ellen Khalifa highlighted a New York Times article on osteoporosis in men, noting that one in five men over 50 face fractures, with higher mortality rates than women.  Elizabeth Magallon Fleury shared a Huffington Post article on menopause's impact on eye health, emphasizing dry eyes and the need for regular...

We discussed Longevity and Living Choices in the news. Presented by Benjamin Surmi , Koelsch Communities Senior Housing News 4-18-25 Longevity Day Club by Innovation Senior Living in Florida by Andrew Christman https://seniorhousingnews.com/2025/04/18/innovation-senior-living-to-pilot-adult-day-service-aimed-at-older-adults-living-at-home/ West Orlando News 10-13-25 Month-to-Month Living at Sea, w...

Benjamin Surmi reported on a new federal immigration proposal aiming to address workforce needs, including a new caregiver visa for child and elder care. Ellen Khalifa highlighted the rise of Chief Longevity Officers in companies like L'Oreal and Fidelidad, emphasizing the importance of integrating longevity strategies into business models. Elizabeth Magallon Fleury discussed the economic pow...

Elizabeth Magallon Fleury highlighted five key shifts: from dependency to desire, curation of experiences, technology as infrastructure, changing decision-making processes, and consumer diversity. Benjamin Surmi noted the importance of curation over care. The conversation underscored the need for senior housing to adapt to evolving consumer expectations and technological advancements. Ray Gordon g...

September 22 - 26 is Falls Prevention Awareness Week. This episode of News for the Ages by Rethinking Aging Club led with a New York Times article suggesting that rising prescription drug use among adults over 65 may explain the increase in fall-related deaths in the United States, which tripled from 1990 to 2023. The team’s discussion emphasized the importance of balance and strength exercises to...

In this episode of News for the Ages Ellen Khalifa highlighted an article by Dr. Joe Coughlin on the rising retirement ages in Denmark and China, emphasizing the need for workplace redesign, upskilling, and proactive wellness. Elizabeth Magallon Fleury shared an article by Myrna Marofsky on celebrating 80 with joy, focusing on positive reminiscence. Debbie Howard presented an article about 11 wome...

Debbie Howard presented on "SuperAgers," highlighting research from Northwestern University showing that sociability and a thicker cingulate gyrus region are key factors. Elizabeth Magallon Fleury discussed an article from Kiplinger on aging in place, emphasizing the importance of self-assessment, home modifications, and community support. The Kiplinger article featured quotes from Occup...

This episode we focused on cooperative housing for older adults with a series of three articles, highlighting benefits like community support and mutual aid.  Elizabeth Magayon Fleury shared insights from The Guardian, noting Denmark's lead in cohousing with 80,000 seniors planning moves.  Benjamin Surmi presented Axios' article on Des Moines' Artesia project, offering 1001-1800 sq....

This episode discussed intergenerational workplace dynamics, highlighting the challenges and benefits of having four generations working together. Ellen Khalifa presented an article from Newsweek, noting that Gen Z will make up 30% of the workforce by 2030, emphasizing the need for companies to adapt to their preferences, such as continuous feedback and learning. Benjamin Surmi presented the compl...

We discussed the benefits of senior centers in promoting healthy aging, highlighting their role in social engagement, assistance, outings, active aging, learning opportunities, nutritious dining, community support, and volunteer activities. Elizabeth Magallon Fleury emphasized the need for rebranding senior centers as community centers to avoid the word “senior” and encourage intergenerational int...

Benjamin Surmi highlighted a significant study reported by NPR July 28, 2025, showing that structured lifestyle changes, including exercise and diet, can improve brain health and reduce dementia risk. The Alzheimer's Association's $40 million commitment to implementing these findings was noted. Ellen Khalifa discussed the importance of protein intake during menopause, emphasizing its rol...

We discussed AARP's new report released in July on caregiving in the U.S. for 2025. The report highlights the need for policy changes, including federal tax credits, paid family leave, and better training for caregivers. The discussion also touched on the importance of treating caregiving as a respected profession and the potential role of immigration in addressing caregiving shortages. Linda...

We discussed the impact of aging on the senses, focusing on taste and touch. Ray Gordon highlighted that taste changes in middle age due to reduced taste buds and olfactory receptors, suggesting hydration and nutrient-rich diets for taste and smell, as well as physical therapy to improve the performance of proprioception receptors in one’s feet.  Host Linda Sherman referenced Victoria Villa in Dav...

Ellen Khalifa presented a CNN article on technology use lowering dementia risk, noting a 42% reduction in cognitive impairment from tech use.  Benjamin Surmi reported on two articles on a well publicized senior living fire in Massachusetts, leading to a discussion of the importance of considering city resources and emergency services when choosing a senior living community. Elizabeth Magallon Fleu...

June is National Alzheimers and Brain Awareness Month. Maude’s Ventures seed funding for early-stage dementia related innovation projects application deadline is July 7. This year includes a section for teenage applicants.  Benjamin Surmi shared an article about a NASA-themed senior living community in Houston, highlighting the importance of theming around shared values.  Debbie Howard discussed a...

Elizabeth Magallon Fleury highlighted a New York Times article by Mark Miller, noting the rising demand for long-term care due to an aging population and a shortage of workers, exacerbated by low wages and immigration policies. The article emphasized the misconception that Medicare covers long-term care and suggested planning for care costs.  Debbie Howard introduced a PBS documentary by Bradley C...

Ellen Khalifa highlighted a Women's Health article on bone health, emphasizing the importance of early prevention and the rising rates of osteoporosis among younger generations.  Dr. Zalan Alam discussed a BBC article on using "poo pills" to treat antibiotic-resistant infections, noting the potential of gut microbiome therapy.  Debbie Howard shared an NPR article on caregiving, stre...

This episode explored the cultural shift in Hollywood's portrayal of aging women, highlighting the success of actresses like Demi Moore and the need for businesses to support older female talent. The discussion also covered the evolving concept of retirement, emphasizing the importance of flexibility and continuous engagement. Statistics from the Employer Benefit Research Institute showed 75%...

Debbie Howard highlighted an article emphasizing the importance of caregiving benefits, noting that 75% of employees are caregivers and flexible work options can reduce turnover by 25%. Ray Gordon's article on vision changes due to presbyopia and aging mentioned that over 50% of people over 57 have vision impairment, and regular eye exams are crucial. Ellen Khalifa's article on hip exerc...