The Age Guide: Perspectives on the Aging Journey

Age Guide
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Welcome to the Age Guide podcast highlighting perspectives on the aging journey. We are here to be your personal Age Guide and enhance your quality of life on the road ahead. This podcast is about putting a face on aging and giving a voice to older adults and caregivers by highlighting their experiences and stories. We want to provide a window into the struggles and joys of aging, to dispel myths and combat ageism. This podcast is hosted by AgeGuide Northeastern Illinois, an Area Agency on Aging in Northeastern Illinois. At AgeGuide, it is our mission to be a vital resource and advocate for people as we age by providing thoughtful guidance, supportive services, and meaningful connections.

  1. MAR 24

    Aging Well: Connecting Policy, Nutrition, and Community – with Bob Blancato

    In this episode of Aging Well, Bob Blancato, national advocate for older adults and expert in nutrition and aging policy, explores the critical role nutrition plays in supporting healthy aging and strengthening communities. This episode examines how nutrition intersects healthcare, social services, and public policy, and why improving access to healthy food is essential for preventing chronic disease and promoting well-being among older adults. Listeners will gain insight into the growing “Food as Medicine” movement, the importance of nutrition security, and how programs like the Older Americans Act nutrition services help address both health and social isolation for older adults. Bob also shares perspectives on current policy developments, including efforts to expand medical nutrition therapy, strengthen community nutrition programs, and integrate social care services into healthcare systems. Throughout the conversation, he highlights how advocacy, education, and community engagement can help shape stronger nutrition policies and better outcomes for older adults. This conversation offers a thoughtful look at how better nutrition, stronger policy, and community advocacy can help ensure older adults have the support they need to age well. Resources: National Association of Nutrition and Aging Services Programs - PODCAST Blog: Nutrition and Healthy Aging Featuring Bob Blancato - Alliance for Aging Research Basics of Congregate Nutrition Programs | acl.gov  Basics of Home Delivered Meal Program | acl.gov Food Is Medicine | odphp.health.gov Food and Nutrition Security Food Assistance - SNAP Benefits for Older Adults Food Paradigm Older Americans Act Nutrition Programs Older Americans Act: Summary in Brief | Congress.gov | Library of Congress Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025–2030  Innovation Insight: RFI Now Open for Comments on Potential Improvements to Medicare Advantage | CMS Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) | HHS.gov Medical Nutrition Therapy Act of 2025 | Congress.gov | Library of Congress Treat and Reduce Obesity Act of 2025 | Congress.gov | Library of Congress Find a Federally Qualified Health Center  Adult Obesity Facts | Obesity | CDC Facebook: facebook.com/AgeGuide Twitter: twitter.com/AgeGuide  Instagram: instagram.com/theageguidepodcast Podcast: ageguide.org/the-age-guide-podcast Website: ageguide.org

    39 min

  2. FEB 26

    Aging Well: Building Better Aging Policy - with Ryann Hill

    In this episode of Aging Well, Ryann Hill, Aging Policy and Advocacy Expert, shares the realities facing older adults and caregivers today and offers guidance on how listeners can take meaningful action.   This episode explores how aging policy brings people together across party lines, how to effectively and confidently engage your legislators, and why the Older Americans Act continues to serve as the backbone of community-based supports for older adults. Participants will also gain a clear understanding of the difference between authorization and funding, and why both matter, along with practical, real-world strategies for advocating locally, sharing impactful stories, and strengthening support for aging services.  This conversation offers a grounded and hopeful look at what it takes for communities to ensure that people can age with dignity, stability, and support.  Resources:  Older Americans Act: Overview and Funding | Congress.gov | Library of Congress  Administration for Community Living - Older Americans Act  USAging - Older Americans Act  Indigo Hill Strategies  Mic’d Up podcast  Eldercare Locator  Find and contact elected officials | USAGov  Best-Practices-Meeting-with-a-Congressional-Office-February-2025.pdf  Here’s a look at federal agencies’ shutdown contingency plans | Federal News Network  U.S. House of Representatives  Facebook: facebook.com/AgeGuide Twitter: twitter.com/AgeGuide  Instagram: instagram.com/theageguidepodcast Podcast: ageguide.org/the-age-guide-podcast Website: ageguide.org

    32 min

  3. JAN 29

    Aging Well: Rethinking Aging and Healthcare - with Kris Geerken

    In this episode of Aging Well, we talk with advocate and researcher Kris Geerken about how ageism and ableism shape the way we experience aging and healthcare. Drawing on her hospice work, her research at Virginia Commonwealth University, and advocacy with Changing the Narrative, Kris explores how age bias often goes unnoticed in medical settings and why stronger gerontology training is essential to improving care. She highlights the impact of unacknowledged grief, the high-cost ageism has on our society, and the need for person‑centered systems that honor the values and goals of people at every age.    Also, Alaine makes her Medicare Minute debut to explain that Illinois allows self‑referral to physical therapy without a physician’s prescription.   This conversation offers practical insights and encouragement for navigating care, challenging age bias, and aging well at every stage of life.  Resources:  Reach out to Kris: geerkenk@vcu.edu  Disrupting Ageism | ScienceDirect  Antidotes for Ageism - Changing the Narrative  Age-Friendly Healthcare – Changing the Narrative  Ageism in health care found to cost $63 billion annually | Yale Daily News  The Conversation Project - Have You Had The Conversation?  National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health  Aging Unfiltered: Flipping the Script on Ageism    Facebook: facebook.com/AgeGuide Twitter: twitter.com/AgeGuide  Instagram: instagram.com/theageguidepodcast Podcast: ageguide.org/the-age-guide-podcast Website: ageguide.org

    37 min

  4. 12/23/2025

    Aging Well: Aging as a Continuum, Not a Crisis - with Dr. Israel Cross

    In this episode of Aging Well, we sit down with Dr. Israel Cross, Public Health Gerontologist and President of the National Aging in Place Council. Drawing on his experience as both an aging network professional and family caregiver, Dr. Cross reframes aging as a natural continuum rather than a crisis and highlights why caregivers are essential partners in our aging infrastructure.   We explore the evolving concept of aging in place and discuss why early conversations about care and autonomy matter. Dr. Cross also introduces the latest edition of Aging in Place Conversations: The Caregiver’s Edition, a guide filled with real stories, tips, and tools for navigating caregiving challenges.   Tune in for a conversation that centers compassion and offers a hopeful roadmap for building systems that prioritize dignity, choice, and collaboration.  Resources:  Israel Cross LinkedIn Page   Aging in Place Conversations - The Caregiver's Edition Amazon Kindle copy   Aging in Place Conversations - The Caregiver's Edition: Stories, Strategies, and Support for Aging in Your Community by Sean Fitzgerald, Fritzi Gros-Daillon, Mary Lynch, Paperback | Barnes & Noble®  National Aging in Place Council Website  Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services | CMS  National Institute on Aging  Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS) | NAHB  Online Courses - USC Home Modification  Grab Bar and Zero Degree Shower    The Sandwich Generation  Facebook: facebook.com/AgeGuide Twitter: twitter.com/AgeGuide  Instagram: instagram.com/theageguidepodcast Podcast: ageguide.org/the-age-guide-podcast Website: ageguide.org

    33 min

  5. 11/21/2025

    Aging Well: Creating a Sense of Belonging - with Dr. Raj Shah

    In this episode, we get the opportunity to take a deep dive with Dr. Raj Shah of Rush University Medical Center exploring ideas revolving around brain health, caregiving, and what it truly means to age well. Drawing from decades of dementia research and community-based work, Dr. Shah reflects on the power of connection, the role of care partners, and how belonging shapes our health across the lifespan. Together, they unpack the small, meaningful actions at home, in clinics, and throughout our communities that can make aging a more supported, inclusive, and thriving experience.  Resources:  Dementia Friends Illinois - Illinois Cognitive Resources Network  Dementia Friendly America  Dementia Friendly Illinois Monthly Meetings - Illinois Cognitive Resources Network  Dementia Friendly Initiative – AgeGuide  Dementia Friendly Efforts in Illinois  Raj Shah | LinkedIn  Design For Belonging Initiative   Memory Cafe Directory  2025 Walk to End Alzheimer's | Alzheimer's Association  How the CARE Act Helps Caregivers  Facebook: facebook.com/AgeGuide Twitter: twitter.com/AgeGuide  Instagram: instagram.com/theageguidepodcast Podcast: ageguide.org/the-age-guide-podcast Website: ageguide.org

    48 min

  6. 10/30/2025

    Aging Well: How Social Ties Shape Longer Lives - with Ken Stern

    To launch our new season on Aging Well, we’re joined by Ken Stern, nationally recognized expert on longevity, author, founder of the Longevity Project, and host of the podcast Century Lives.   In this episode we explore how longer lives challenge the way we think about the second half of life and prompt us to reimagine every aspect of society, from education and work to community and connection. Ken also shares incredible insights from his new book, Healthy to 100: How Strong Social Ties Lead to Long Lives, which captures the central theme of this season: that thriving as we age depends on the strength of our relationships and communities. Together, they explore how longevity science offers a hopeful roadmap for aging well in today’s world.  Resources:  Healthy to 100: How Strong Social Ties Lead to Long Lives  Healthy to 100 Blog  The Longevity Project  Three Not so Bad Things on Longevity and Aging Newsletter  Century Lives Podcast  When I’m 64 Podcast  Blue Zones Netflix Documentary  Gorham House Intergenerational Preschool & Senior Community  Facebook: facebook.com/AgeGuide Twitter: twitter.com/AgeGuide  Instagram: instagram.com/theageguidepodcast Podcast: ageguide.org/the-age-guide-podcast Website: ageguide.org

    30 min

  7. 09/18/2025

    Aging Unfiltered: Flipping the Script on Ageism - with Jan Golden and Sara Breindel

    With Ageism Awareness Day approaching, the final episode of Aging Unfiltered features Jan Golden, founder of Age Friendly Vibes, and Sara Breindel, Communications Specialist and Ageism Consultant with the American Society on Aging. Jan shares how a contest for anti-ageist birthday cards led her to create an age-positive greeting card company, while Sara recalls the moment she realized how subtle language can reinforce stereotypes. Together, they explore why our mindset toward aging matters, and how the way we talk about aging shapes culture while influencing health and longevity.  Sara and Jan share how stories, word choices, and even humor affect how we think and feel about aging. Tune in to discover practical ways we can all flip the script and build a more inclusive vision of growing older.   Episode Links https://www.agefriendlyvibes.com https://www.asaging.org ASA Ageism Awareness Day Homepage Social Media Toolkit Fact Sheet  Contact Sara: agepositive@asaging.org Becca Levy’s Breaking the Age Code Aging Unfiltered: The Power of Intergenerational Advocacy – with Arielle Galinsky Aging Unfiltered: The Power of Human Connections Across Generations - with Shari Foos https://www.smpresource.org Facebook: facebook.com/AgeGuide Twitter: twitter.com/AgeGuide  Instagram: instagram.com/theageguidepodcast Podcast: ageguide.org/the-age-guide-podcast Website: ageguide.org

    33 min

  8. 08/07/2025

    Aging Unfiltered: Confronting Ageism in the Workplace - with Dr. Brian Kaskie, Marla Fronczak, and Jeri Colucy

    In this episode of Aging Unfiltered, we explore what it really means to create an age-friendly workplace. Marla Fronczak, CEO of AgeGuide, Jeri Colucy, Director of Operations, Finance & Human Resources, and Dr. Brian Kaskie, Professor at the University of Iowa, come together to share personal stories, research insights, and practical strategies to build inclusive work environments that support people at every stage of life. From Marla’s own journey of career transition in midlife to Jeri’s human resources experience, this conversation dives deep into how employers can lead with empathy, flexibility, and foresight. Dr. Kaskie shares key findings from his research, including how the AARP Employer Pledge and simple job redesigns can boost recruitment and retention, especially as older adults continue working longer out of passion or necessity. Plus, don’t miss this episode’s special “Medicaid Moment” featuring Lore Baker, a valued member of AgeGuide’s Advisory Council and CEO of A.I.D., as she breaks down the latest Medicaid changes and what it means for older adults in our region. Whether you’re an HR professional, a job seeker over 50, or someone rethinking your workplace culture, this episode challenges assumptions and offers tools for real change. Resources: AARP Employer Pledge Program Take Action Today – AgeGuide Efforts to Address the Aging Academic Workforce: Assessing Progress Through a Three-Stage Model of Institutional Change AID ⋆ Association for Individual Development ⋆ Empowering Individuals... Facebook: facebook.com/AgeGuide Twitter: twitter.com/AgeGuide  Instagram: instagram.com/theageguidepodcast Podcast: ageguide.org/the-age-guide-podcast Website: ageguide.org

    39 min
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About

Welcome to the Age Guide podcast highlighting perspectives on the aging journey. We are here to be your personal Age Guide and enhance your quality of life on the road ahead. This podcast is about putting a face on aging and giving a voice to older adults and caregivers by highlighting their experiences and stories. We want to provide a window into the struggles and joys of aging, to dispel myths and combat ageism. This podcast is hosted by AgeGuide Northeastern Illinois, an Area Agency on Aging in Northeastern Illinois. At AgeGuide, it is our mission to be a vital resource and advocate for people as we age by providing thoughtful guidance, supportive services, and meaningful connections.

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