This is Growing Old

Music, the great communicator,” as the Red Hot Chili Peppers once put it, has the power to transcend barriers and weave rhythm and melody into our lives. Whether you're an infant drifting off to a favorite lullaby or a concert pianist composing a magnum opus, music connects with us on a fundamental human level. It’s no surprise, then, that some of our most cherished songs and sounds can also p...

Until recently, receiving an Alzheimer’s diagnosis often required an expensive brain scan or invasive procedure. The introduction of the Alzheimer’s Screening and Prevention (ASAP) Act aims to change that by expanding access to innovative diagnostic tools that could make screening more affordable and accessible. As the ASAP Act continues to gain bipartisan support, the Alliance remains committed t...

May is Older Americans Month, a time to celebrate older adults, recognize advocates supporting aging communities, and embrace the journey to healthy aging. It’s also Physical Fitness and Sports Month and Mental Health Awareness Month, making this the perfect time to explore the connection between fitness and healthy aging with four-time reigning California’s Strongest Man and physician, Dr. Andrew...

For more than 60 years, the Older Americans Act has provided vital support to vulnerable older adults through programs that home-deliver meals, offer transportation services, caregiver support, and beyond. Administered through the Administration for Community Living, these services help millions of older Americans age with dignity and independence. Despite its long-standing success, the Administra...

As we continue celebrating our milestone 40th anniversary, the Alliance for Aging Research is setting its sights on another big event, Heroes in Health. If you’re new to the show or unfamiliar with our awards dinner, it’s an annual gathering in Washington, DC where advocates, experts, patients, policymakers, clinicians, and more come together to honor leaders advancing healthy aging. And this year...

Alzheimer’s and related diseases don’t just affect memory. They also bring behavioral and psychological challenges known as neuropsychiatric symptoms, or NPS. These can include anxiety, depression, agitation, and sleep disturbances, making life difficult for both patients and caregivers. As symptoms progress, so do the risks of injury, isolation, and the need for institutional care, often worsened...

This year marks a major milestone as the Alliance for Aging Research celebrates its 40th anniversary. That’s four decades of changing the narrative around aging and fighting for equitable access to care. And if you thought turning 40 was a sign to slow down, we’re here to tell you we’re just getting started. On this very special episode of The Check-Up, I’m joined by Alliance President and CEO Sue...

Heart Valve Disease Awareness Day  (HVDAD) takes place each February 22 during American Heart Month and was launched to raise awareness of valve disease risks and symptoms, improving detection and treatment. Before the campaign began, symptoms were often dismissed as “normal aging,” when we now know they’re not.  Today, HVDAD unites more than 135 partners including nonprofits, advocacy groups, hos...

From multivitamins to protein powders, thousands of supplements crowd drugstore shelves offering over-the-counter answers to our nutritional needs. Yet with so many options out there, how do we know which ones to trust? Joining us is  US Pharmacopeia  (USP), an organization focused on building trust in the supply of safe, trusted quality medicine. USP, is an independent, scientific nonprofit organ...

2025 has been a challenging year for advocates fighting for equitable access to care, as the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices has upended a legacy of science-based recommendations supported by the research community. In a particularly concerning move, ACIP removed its decades-long recommendation for the proven pediatric hepatitis B vaccine—a decision that puts millions of childre...

Equitable access to treatment is vital for older adults with Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases, especially in long-term care. CMS’s Long-Stay Antipsychotic Medication quality measure aimed to curb inappropriate use in nursing homes, but it has also led to unintended consequences, limiting safe, effective treatment options for more than 3 million residents. A new Manatt Health report...

Open Enrollment season is here, and millions of Americans are hoping the latest formulary changes will help ease costs at the pharmacy counter. This month, the Alliance released several new resources, including an educational film , to help Medicare Part D beneficiaries make informed decisions for 2026. Today, I’m joined by Adina Lasser, the Alliance’s Director of Public Policy and Government Rela...

With health policy shifting so quickly, it can be hard to keep track of what’s at stake. Today, we're joined by Alliance Senior VP of Public Policy and Government Relations, Scott Frey, to break down the latest on health access and equity, and what the Alliance is doing to defend it.

With respiratory season approaching, it’s vital to protect against preventable illnesses like COVID-19, flu, RSV, and pneumonia. As debates over vaccination grow, hearing directly from experts is more important than ever. Joining us today is Dr. Kawsar Talaat, Associate Professor at Johns Hopkins, WHO advisor, and Alliance Research Advisory Council member, to discuss why immunization matters, how...

Each year, the Alliance honors advocates and changemakers who set the standard in research, innovation, and advocacy for older adults. We’re thrilled to continue that tradition at our annual Heroes in Health Awards Dinner on September 30 in Washington, DC. Today, we’re taking a peek behind the curtain with the producers of this year’s event: Sarah Delgado, our VP of Development, and Lauren Belsky,...

Starting around age 30, we all begin to lose muscle mass and strength. For some, this progresses into sarcopenia, a condition that can reduce independence, increase disability, and heighten risks of falls, hospitalizations, and other health complications. Joining us to discuss how to prevent muscle loss with age is Dr. Stuart Phillips, muscle health expert and professor at McMaster University. Thi...

are you familiar with the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease? Neuropsychiatric symptoms, or NPS, are emotional and behavioral symptoms that often go overlooked and under-treated in people with Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases.   This month, the Alliance released a six-part educational series that breaks down these symptoms, explores treatment options, and empowers caregivers with tool...

Intellectual property may not be the first thing we think of when it comes to equitable care, but it’s what drives the innovation that saves lives. Joining us to discuss IP’s vital role is David Kappos, co-founder of the  Council for Innovation Promotion  and a leading voice in health innovation policy.

In our first episode of This Is Growing Old: The Check Up, we reflect on our conversation last month with Natalie Kean, Director of Federal Health Advocacy at Justice in Aging . During our chat, Natalie emphasized the serious implications of proposed cuts to Medicaid and SNAP for vulnerable Americans. Around the same time, we also saw reductions in federal funding and staffing at the Department of...

Medicaid and SNAP have long provided essential support for vulnerable adults. However, a recent proposal in Congress to reduce funding for these programs threatens to undermine equitable access to care for millions of older Americans, many of whom are living with Alzheimer’s disease and related conditions. This week, we're joined by Natalie Kean, Director of Federal Health Advocacy at Justice...

We at the Alliance are deeply grateful for our dedicated Board of Directors, who help amplify our mission. On today’s episode of  This is Growing Old , our Board Chair, Michele Markus, joins us to share insights on the year ahead.

It’s Heart Month—a busy and exciting time here at the Alliance as we gear up for Heart Valve Disease Awareness Day on February 22nd. In the spirit of the season, we’re thrilled to be joined by Amy Johnson, President and Director of Rock from the Heart. Amy will share their incredible efforts to educate people about aortic and heart valve disease, support families affected, connect patients with vi...

Caregiving is a radical act of empathy. To give care is to recognize the needs of another and provide support and companionship. All of us have received care at some point in our lives, and many of us will provide care in one way or another. Yet, the concept of care often goes underexplored, leaving caregivers unrecognized and their contributions undervalued.  In honor of National Caregiver’s Mont...

Intergenerational friendships enrich our worldview and create lasting legacies through the exchange of ideas, love, and support between grandparents or grand friends and young adults. Following Healthy Aging Month, we’re joined by Dr. Abigail T. Stephens , Research Assistant Professor of Psychology at Clemson University and faculty affiliate with the Institute for Engaged Aging, to discuss the val...

In June, the Alliance joined policymakers and patient advocates on Capitol Hill to discuss the unintended consequences of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). While the IRA offers benefits like capping out-of-pocket costs and reducing vaccine expenses, it also raises concerns about how plans are incentivized to control costs. These concerns are detailed in a recent report by the Alliance and Manatt....