Age of Aging

Penn Memory Center
  • 5.0 (20)
  • MEDICINE
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Welcome to the Age of Aging, a podcast about living well with an aging brain. The Age of Aging is a podcast released every other Tuesday, covering a wide range of stories in aging research. Co-hosted by Jake Johnson and Terrence Casey from the Penn Memory Center communications team, each episode they will explore what it means to age with independence and dignity in the modern world. You can expect to hear from the University of Pennsylvania’s world-class researchers, caregivers of those with cognitive difficulties, and everyday people who want to keep their brain as healthy as possible as they age. The Age of Aging is produced by the Penn Memory Center and made possible by generous support from the Michael Naidoff Communications Hub fund.

  1. FEB 10

    A MINDful Diet

    Being intentional about our diet is one of the best things we can do for the health and longevity of our brain. But what exactly is a healthy brain diet—and how do we make it realistic?    In the season 5 premiere of the Age of Aging, we break down the science and strategy behind the MIND diet and what it looks like to shop and eat for cognitive longevity.    Inside this episode:  Terrence sits down with Dr. Jason Karlawish to discuss the results and implications of the U.S. POINTER study for healthy brain aging.  Dr. Karlawish explains the science behind the MIND diet and how he implements it in his daily life.   Registered dietitian nutritionist (and Terrence’s sister) Trish St. Ledger shares how to create nutritious meals that are both simple and affordable. St. Ledger provides an overview of a what typical day of breakfast, lunch, and dinner might look like following the MIND diet.   Resources available on the episode webpage linked below  More information on the MIND Diet (Cleveland Clinic)  More information on healthy eating and longevity (National Institute on Aging)  Learn more about Trish St. Ledger  Special thanks this episode to Jason Karlawish, MD and Trish St. Ledger, MS, RD, LDN.  The Age of Aging is a Penn Memory Center production hosted by Editorial Director Terrence Casey and Producer Jake Johnson, in partnership with the Penn FTD Center, the Penn Institute on Aging, and Penn’s Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center. Contributors include Dalia Elsaid, Jason Karlawish, Emily Largent, and Alison Lynn.  The Age of Aging is made possible by generous support from the Michael Naidoff Communications Hub fund.

    54 min

  2. JAN 27 · BONUS

    What Do You Wish People Understood More about Aging?

    In season 4 of the Age of Aging, we decided to end every interview with the same question: what do you wish people understood more about aging?     In this special bonus episode of the podcast, we share some of their answers. They remind us of the prevalence of ageism, the many benefits of old age, and that we always have the ability to grow and change at any age.      Special thanks this episode to Lucy Davenport, Andrew Borba, Amanda Lee Williams, James Bonas, Tracey Leigh, Leo Marks, Jennifer Craft Morgan, PhD, Bruce Miller, MD, Leah Lawler, Candace Kemp, PhD, and Jake Broder.   The Age of Aging is a Penn Memory Center production hosted by Editorial Director Terrence Casey and Producer Jake Johnson, in partnership with the Penn FTD Center, the Penn Institute on Aging, and Penn’s Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center. Contributors include Dalia Elsaid, Jason Karlawish, Emily Largent, and Alison Lynn. The Age of Aging is made possible by generous support from the Michael Naidoff Communications Hub fund and our sponsors, the TIAA Institute and Rothkoff Law Group. The TIAA Institute is a think tank committed to building knowledge that advances lifelong financial security and well-being while considering the intersections of health and wealth. Their cutting-edge research provides actionable financial and longevity insights that help individuals and employers navigate the complex journey of aging.    Caring for an aging loved one isn’t easy — but you don’t have to do it alone. At Rothkoff Law Group, we guide families across New Jersey and Pennsylvania through every stage of your aging journey. Our team of elder care attorneys, geriatric care coordinators, and public benefits specialists advocate for your loved one’s well-being and your peace of mind. Rothkoff Law Group — your partner in advocacy and senior care planning, every step of the way. Visit RothkoffLaw.com.

    14 min

  3. JAN 13 · BONUS

    Rx for Alzheimer's

    The year 2025 was full of breakthroughs, debates, and big questions in Alzheimer’s research. One event that shaped many of these conversations? The Clinical Trials on Alzheimer’s Disease (CTAD) Conference. It may not have been on everyone’s radar, but its impact was undeniable.    In this special episode, Penn Memory Center Co-Directors Dr. Jason Karlawish and Dr. David Wolk share what stood out at CTAD, what’s changing in the field, and what to watch next.    Inside this episode:  Anti-amyloid therapies update: Where things stand with lecanemab and donanemab, and what the next generation of these drugs could look like   GLP-1 disappointment: Why Novo Nordisk’s semaglutide trials for Alzheimer’s disease came up short   Lifestyle interventions: The latest findings from the POINTER Study and what they mean for brain health  Resources available on the episode webpage linked below  Visit CTAD’s website  More information on anti-amyloid therapies  Novo Nordisk’s announcement of negative results “EVOKE” and “EVOKE+” trials  More information on the POINTER Study     Special thanks this episode to Jason Karlawish, MD and David Wolk, MD.  The Age of Aging is a Penn Memory Center production hosted by Editorial Director Terrence Casey and Producer Jake Johnson, in partnership with the Penn FTD Center, the Penn Institute on Aging, and Penn’s Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center. Contributors include Nicolette Calcavecchia, Dalia Elsaid, Jason Karlawish, Emily Largent, and Meaghan Sharp.    The Age of Aging is made possible by generous support from the Michael Naidoff Communications Hub fund and our sponsors, the TIAA Institute and Rothkoff Law Group. The TIAA Institute is a think tank committed to building knowledge that advances lifelong financial security and well-being while considering the intersections of health and wealth. Their cutting-edge research provides actionable financial and longevity insights that help individuals and employers navigate the complex journey of aging.    Caring for an aging loved one isn’t easy — but you don’t have to do it alone. At Rothkoff Law Group, we guide families across New Jersey and Pennsylvania through every stage of your aging journey. Our team of elder care attorneys, geriatric care coordinators, and public benefits specialists advocate for your loved one’s well-being and your peace of mind. Rothkoff Law Group — your partner in advocacy and senior care planning, every step of the way. Visit RothkoffLaw.com.

    27 min

  4. 12/23/2025

    A Disease's Final Kiss

    Art that tries to teach you things “stinks,” says playwright and actor Jake Broder.  “And yet there is a profound need for education, for awareness, for reducing stigma, for supporting the community and for medical education,” he said. A few years ago, while writing his latest play about the two individuals with frontotemporal dementia, he wrestled with how he could do both.  In the season 4 finale of the Age of Aging, we tell the story of UnRavelled, a play about perseverance through neurodegeneration, burgeoning creativity late in life and an artistic relationship across time. Producer Jake Johnson shares his first-hand experience of the play’s premiere and how it combined theater with community outreach and education.  What’s inside:   A historical perspective on composer Maurice Ravel’s brain condition and his work, “Bolero.”  An explanation from Dr. Bruce Miller on the relationship between frontotemporal degeneration and creativity.   Jake Broder’s insight into the inspiration and creation of the play as well as the associated Brain Health Festival.  The perspective of the show’s director and cast on creating the play and its core themes.  Resources available on the episode webpage linked below   Listen to Maurice Ravell’s Bolero  Learn more about Dr. Bruce Miller  Listen to Unraveling Bolero (Radiolab)  Learn more about Jake Broder  More information on For Their Thoughts Foundation  Visit the official website of UnRavelled   Subscribe to the Age of Aging Newsletter    Special thanks this episode to Dr. Bruce Miller, Jake Broder, Betsy Hall, Lucy Davenport, James Bonas, Leo Marks, Tracy Leigh, and the entire UnRavelled team.  The Age of Aging is a Penn Memory Center production hosted by Editorial Director Terrence Casey and Producer Jake Johnson, in partnership with the Penn FTD Center, the Penn Institute on Aging, and Penn’s Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center. Contributors include Nicolette Calcavecchia, Dalia Elsaid, Jason Karlawish, Emily Largent, and Meaghan Sharp.    The Age of Aging is made possible by generous support from the Michael Naidoff Communications Hub fund and our sponsors, the TIAA Institute and Rothkoff Law Group. The TIAA Institute is a think tank committed to building knowledge that advances lifelong financial security and well-being while considering the intersections of health and wealth. Their cutting-edge research provides actionable financial and longevity insights that help individuals and employers navigate the complex journey of aging.    Caring for an aging loved one isn’t easy — but you don’t have to do it alone. At Rothkoff Law Group, we guide families across New Jersey and Pennsylvania through every stage of your aging journey. Our team of elder care attorneys, geriatric care coordinators, and public benefits specialists advocate for your loved one’s well-being and your peace of mind. Rothkoff Law Group — your partner in advocacy and senior care planning, every step of the way. Visit RothkoffLaw.com.

    37 min

  5. 12/09/2025

    Yes And...

    If you asked most caregivers, they would probably say there’s nothing funny about caring for someone with dementia. The stress, grief, and frustration can feel overwhelming. But what if the principles of improv comedy — being present, saying “yes,” and working together — could make caregiving easier and more joyful?  In this episode of the Age of Aging, we explore the surprising connection between improv and dementia care. You’ll hear how techniques from the stage are helping caregivers reduce stress, improve communication, and find moments of joy.  What’s inside:   A peek inside the Penn Memory Center’s Cognitive Comedy class, where caregivers and people living with dementia learn improv basics.   Dr. Anne Basting on why asking questions and staying present matters in tough caregiving moments.   Improv teacher and elder care educator Karen Stobbe shares her personal story of using improv to care for her mother with Alzheimer’s.   Researchers Dr. Candace Kemp, Dr. Jennifer Craft Morgan, and Amanda Lee Williams discuss the science behind improv’s benefits for caregivers.   Leah Lawler, creator of Cognitive Comedy, explains why teaching improv to older adults is her passion.   Whether you’re a caregiver, a healthcare professional, or simply curious about creative approaches to aging, this episode offers practical insights and inspiring stories that will change the way you think about care.  Resources available on the episode webpage linked below   Check out the Penn Memory Center’s Cognitive Comedy class  Learn more about improv (UChicago News)  Explore Timeslips’ website   Learn more about Anne Basting   Check out Karen Stobbe’s “In the Moment”  Listen to Karen and Mondy’s story in This American Life   Read Dr. Kemp and Dr. Morgan’s study on improv and dementia care (The Gerontologist)  Watch more of Leah Lawler talking about Cognitive Comedy  A list of improv games/exercises (improvencylcopedia.org)    Special thanks this episode to Jean Haskell and her Cognitive Comedy participants, Barry and Ray, as well as Anne Basting, PhD, Karen Stobbe, Candace Kemp, PhD, Jennifer Craft Morgan, PhD, and Amanda Lee Williams.  T Age of Aging is a Penn Memory Center production hosted by Editorial Director Terrence Casey and Producer Jake Johnson, in partnership with the Penn FTD Center, the Penn Institute on Aging, and Penn’s Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center. Contributors include Nicolette Calcavecchia, Dalia Elsaid, Jason Karlawish, Emily Largent, and Meaghan Sharp.    The Age of Aging is made possible by generous support from the Michael Naidoff Communications Hub fund and our sponsors, the TIAA Institute and Rothkoff Law Group. The TIAA Institute is a think tank committed to building knowledge that advances lifelong financial security and well-being while considering the intersections of health and wealth. Their cutting-edge research provides actionable financial and longevity insights that help individuals and employers navigate the complex journey of aging.    C...

    33 min

  6. 11/25/2025

    Can AI Provide Artificial Care?

    Artificial intelligence is everywhere in 2025, and elder care is no exception. As the older adult population continues to grow, AI has the potential to provide desperately needed support. Both at home and in the hospital, AI systems are being developed that can summarize data, predict patient outcomes, and offer preventative interventions. These systems could help clinicians be more efficient as well as shoulder some of caregivers’ many responsibilities. Yet for as many problems as AI seems to solve in healthcare, many more questions arise as to how these innovative tools can be implemented ethically.  On this episode of the Age of Aging, we take a deep dive into the developing role of AI in the care of older adults.   We first hear from expert researchers in this space about the potential ways AI could be used to assist in the lives of older adults. Then, the co-founder of New Days AI, Dr. Babak Parviz, discusses how his company utilizes AI to help older adults protect against dementia. Finally, we look into the potential challenges and ethical questions that come with implementing AI in dementia care.   Resources available on the episode webpage linked below   NASA’s definition of artificial intelligence  Learn more about Dr. Alex Mihailidis  More on Dr. George Demiris  More information on Penn AI Tech   Visit New Days AI’s website  Learn more about Dr. Mai Lee Chang  More information on Oonjee Oh  “AI Photos” (Saturday Night Live)    Special thanks this episode to Alex Mihailidis PhD, PEng, George Demiris PhD, FACMI, Babak Parviz, PhD, Mai Lee Chang, PhD, and Oonjee Oh, MSN, RN    The Age of Aging is a Penn Memory Center production hosted by Editorial Director Terrence Casey and Producer Jake Johnson, in partnership with the Penn FTD Center, the Penn Institute on Aging, and Penn’s Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center. Contributors include Nicolette Calcavecchia, Dalia Elsaid, Jason Karlawish, Emily Largent, and Meaghan Sharp.    The Age of Aging is made possible by generous support from the Michael Naidoff Communications Hub fund and our sponsors, the TIAA Institute and Rothkoff Law Group. The TIAA Institute is a think tank committed to building knowledge that advances lifelong financial security and well-being while considering the intersections of health and wealth. Their cutting-edge research provides actionable financial and longevity insights that help individuals and employers navigate the complex journey of aging.    Caring for an aging loved one isn’t easy — but you don’t have to do it alone. At Rothkoff Law Group, we guide families across New Jersey and Pennsylvania through every stage of your aging journey. Our team of elder care attorneys, geriatric care coordinators, and public benefits specialists advocate for your loved one’s well-being and your peace of mind. Rothkoff Law Group — your partner in advocacy and senior care planning, every step of the way. Visit RothkoffLaw.com.

    43 min

  7. 11/11/2025

    Democratizing Dementia

    Innovation in dementia care is revolutionizing the way we diagnose and treat older adults with neurodegenerative diseases. New tests have allowed doctors to diagnose patients with diseases like Alzheimer’s more accurately than ever before. The anti-amyloid therapies Lecanemab and Donanemab provide a real treatment for those living with Alzheimer’s. While these innovations are incredible for those experiencing dementia, they are also beginning to change our culture around dementia generally.  On this episode of the Age of Aging, Terrence Casey sits down with Dr. Jason Karlawish to talk about major steps forward in dementia care and how they’re changing the way we speak about dementia.   The topics in this conversation are pulled directly from the Dr. Karlawish’s new column, Neurotransmissions, in STAT News. Dr. Karlawish discusses the stigma-based way we talk about dementia in popular culture and the damage it does to older adults. He explains how new diagnostic tests and treatments are reshaping this culture by providing patients and caregivers with greater knowledge of their condition as well as hope for improvement. Dr. Karlawish said these changes will ultimately reduce the stigma associated with dementia and allow for further progress in the care of older adults.   Resources available on the episode webpage linked below   Read Dr. Karlawish’s column, Neurotransmissions, on STAT News  Read Illness as a Metaphor and AIDS and Its Metaphors by Susan Sontag  Learn more about LATE   Read Joshua Grill’s piece in the Philadelphia Inquirer    Special thanks to Dr. Jason Karlawish, MD, for being a part of this episode.   The Age of Aging is a Penn Memory Center production hosted by Editorial Director Terrence Casey and Producer Jake Johnson, in partnership with the Penn FTD Center, the Penn Institute on Aging, and Penn’s Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center. Contributors include Nicolette Calcavecchia, Dalia Elsaid, Jason Karlawish, Emily Largent, and Meaghan Sharp.    The Age of Aging is made possible by generous support from the Michael Naidoff Communications Hub fund and our sponsors, the TIAA Institute and Rothkoff Law Group. The TIAA Institute is a think tank committed to building knowledge that advances lifelong financial security and well-being while considering the intersections of health and wealth. Their cutting-edge research provides actionable financial and longevity insights that help individuals and employers navigate the complex journey of aging.    Caring for an aging loved one isn’t easy — but you don’t have to do it alone. At Rothkoff Law Group, we guide families across New Jersey and Pennsylvania through every stage of your aging journey. Our team of elder care attorneys, geriatric ca...

    42 min

  8. 10/28/2025

    Making Art, Creating Mind

    Although the Age of Aging often focuses on science, art has been a recurring theme. In Season 2, Episode 2, “Diet, Exercise, and... Doodling?”, we explored how creativity can support longevity. However, beyond art’s apparent health benefits, making and consuming art can also help us better understand the experience of aging. In many ways, the change and loss associated with aging are best understood through art.  Today’s episode of the Age of Aging looks once again at art creation in aging through the stories and work of three artists living with brain disease.   Joe Vanek, a stage designer for more than 40 years, experienced a stroke that changed how he viewed time and creativity.  Scott LaMascus left graduate school in poetry to care for his father with ALS, finding meaning through writing and reflection.  Neesa Becker-Procaccino, a professional illustrator, stopped working after an Alzheimer’s diagnosis but returned to art as a way to heal and connect.  Each artist faced disruption. Yet through art, each found a way to continue creating and redefining identity in the face of illness.   Resources available on the episode webpage linked below  Watch the full video featuring Neesa Becker-Procaccino   Learn more about Joe Vanek  Read more of Joe Vanek’s story  Read “Dispatches from the Dark Side of the Moon” and “Hesitant Light”  Check out more of Joe Vanek’s illustrations  Saint Patrick  The Queen of Hearts  Our Lady Guadalupe   The Child of Prague  Nutcracker  The Snow Queen  Follow Joe Vanek on Instagram  Learn more about Scott LaMascus ...

    34 min
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Trailers

5
out of 5
20 Ratings

About

Welcome to the Age of Aging, a podcast about living well with an aging brain. The Age of Aging is a podcast released every other Tuesday, covering a wide range of stories in aging research. Co-hosted by Jake Johnson and Terrence Casey from the Penn Memory Center communications team, each episode they will explore what it means to age with independence and dignity in the modern world. You can expect to hear from the University of Pennsylvania’s world-class researchers, caregivers of those with cognitive difficulties, and everyday people who want to keep their brain as healthy as possible as they age. The Age of Aging is produced by the Penn Memory Center and made possible by generous support from the Michael Naidoff Communications Hub fund.

Information

  • Creator
    Penn Memory Center
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    34
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2024
  • Show Website
    Age of Aging

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