Age of Aging

Penn Memory Center
  • 5.0 (16)
  • 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. Supported by the Penn Memory Center, Penn FTD Center, Penn Institute on Aging, and Penn Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center.

  1. 5D AGO

    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

  2. OCT 28

    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

  3. OCT 14

    What is it Like to be Dan?

    Over the past year, the Age of Aging has spoken with expert clinicians who study the brain, as well as individuals living with neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s. We believe that these two perspectives are essential for fully understanding dementia in 2025.  In today’s episode, we hear from someone who can speak to both perspectives.  Dr. Daniel Gibbs is a retired neurologist and author currently living with Alzheimer’s disease. Joined by his wife and caregiver, Lois Seed, he sat down with Age of Aging Executive Producer Dr. Jason Karlawish to discuss Dan’s experience. While the two physicians have had repeated conversations over the years concerning Dan’s diagnosis, Lois’ presence highlights how the disease has progressed and how their relationship has taken on new caregiving dynamics.  What you will hear is an authentic depiction of living with Alzheimer’s disease, along with insights on how a partner begins to care for that person’s changing mind.  Resources available on the episode webpage linked below  Read A Tattoo on My Brain: A Neurologists Personal Battle with Alzheimer’s Disease. Watch the documentary, A Tattoo on My Brain  Learn more about Dan and Lois’ story  (American Heart Association)  Read Dr. Daniel Gibbs’ blog   Special thanks to Daniel Gibbs, MD, PhD, and Lois Seed 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 Sharpe.  The Age of Aging is made possible by generous support from the Michael Naidoff Communications Hub fund and our sponsor, the TIAA Institute. 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.

    1 hr

  4. SEP 30

    Canine Care

    At the Penn Memory Center, we often recommend exercise, social engagement, and a solid support system to help people age well. Owning a dog is not on that list, but maybe it should be. For many older adults, dogs are more than companions. They’re motivators to stay active, reasons to connect with neighbors, and steady sources of comfort through life’s challenges. Emerging research suggests that that this age-old bond between humans and dogs may be one of our healthiest friendships. On this episode of The Age of Aging, we celebrate dogs, and how they might help us live long, healthy lives.   First, we hear from caregivers and dog owners about how their dogs help them care for their loved ones with dementia. Then, Professor Philip Tedeschi explains how humans’ co-evolution with dogs has made us perfect support system for one another. Lynn Cronomiz recounts how a powerful moment between a therapy dog and her mother with Alzheimer’s helped her process her mother’s passing. Finally, we explore humans’ inseparable connection with nature through the biophilia hypothesis.  Resources available on the episode webpage linked below Dog ownership in the U.S. statistics – American Veterinary Medical Association  “2025 Alzheimer’s Facts and Figures” –  Alzheimer’s Association  Listen to Season 1 Episode 4, “Diagnosing Dementia,” featuring Lynn Cronomiz  Learn more about the Insitute for Human-Animal Connection  Visit KPETS, which Lynn Cronomiz does her therapy dog work with  Learn more about the “biophilia hypothesis”  Petfinder to adopt a pet near you  Visit the American Kennel Club website for more information on dog breeds    Special thanks to Tom Casey, Miguel Centeno, Kathy Oldfield, Philip Tedeschi LCSW, MSSW, Lynn Cronomiz, and Carlo Siracusa DVM, PhD, DACVB, DECAWBM    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 sponsor, the TIAA Institute. 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 insig...

    31 min

  5. SEP 16

    Just Aging

    When we think about justice, older adults aren’t always top of mind. Yet in the United States, seniors often face stigma, exploitation, and insufficient social support, all while navigating cognitive and physical decline. As lifespans continue to grow globally, aging is a future we all hope to reach. So how do we ensure that future is just? And what does justice for older adults truly look like?    Welcome to Season 4 of The Age of Aging! We’re kicking off with a vital and multifaceted topic: elder justice. Joining us are three leading voices who help unpack the legal, cultural, and systemic challenges facing older adults — and what can be done to address them.  MT Connolly, author and elder justice advocate, explores the deep-rooted cultural and structural issues that shape aging in America, and offers ideas for meaningful reform.  Charlie Sabatino, former director of the American Bar Association’s Commission on Law and Aging, explains how working with an elder law attorney can help preserve autonomy and dignity throughout the aging process.  Judge Lois Murphy shares insights from the courtroom, including a real-life guardianship case that illustrates the complexities and consequences of our legal system’s approach to elder care.  If you enjoy the episode, please leave us a review and share it with a friend. Got a story idea for Season 4 or beyond? Reach out to us at ageofaging@pennmedicine.upenn.edu.    Resources  Listen to Season 1 Episode 2, “Living Well with Purpose,” about supported decision-making.  Read The Measure of Our Age: Navigating Care, Safety, Money, and Meaning Later in Life by MT Connolly.  Learn more about MT Connolly.  More information on the RISE model  CDC Mortality Trend Graph  2023 CDC Life Expectancy  Learn more about Charlie Sabatino  More information on guardianship in Pennsylvania   Learn more about Judge Murphy     Special thanks to Charlie Sabatino JD, MT Connolly JD, and Judge Lois Murphy.  The Age of Aging is a Penn Memory Center production hoste...

    33 min

  6. AUG 26 · BONUS

    This Moment in Alzheimer's: Taking Stock and Look Forward

    Welcome to a mid-year bonus episode of The Age of Aging! While the podcast takes a short break between seasons, we wanted to bring you a special update on the state of Alzheimer’s today. Penn Memory Center Co-Directors Dr. Jason Karlawish and Dr. David Wolk sat down with Terrence Casey to share their reflections from this year’s Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC), which they attended earlier this summer. They discuss their biggest takeaways, including the impact of NIH funding cuts, the rapid innovations that continue to shape the field, and what they’re keeping their eye on for next year’s conference in London.   We hope you enjoy and stay tuned for season 4 of The Age of Aging this fall! If you enjoy the show, leave us a review and share this episode with a friend. If you have any story suggestions for Season 4 and beyond, contact us at ageofaging@pennmedicine.upenn.edu.   Resources  Learn more about the Alzheimer’s Association and AAIC  Special thanks 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 UPenn’s Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center. Contributors include Nicolette Calcavecchia, Dalia Elsaid, Jason Karlawish, Emily Largent, and Meaghan Sharp.

    33 min

  7. JUL 22

    Season 3 Finale: Neither Superheroes, Nor Angels

    When we talk about dementia on this podcast, we are often talking about its most common cause: Alzheimer's disease. However, dementia has many causes, and among the most prevalent after Alzheimer’s is Lewy Body Disease. Though it can share similarities with Alzheimer’s, Lewy Body Dementia (LBD) has distinct symptoms and challenges that can complicate diagnosis, treatment, and caregiving.   On the season 3 finale of the Age of Aging, we explore Lewy Body Disease and its impact on caregivers and families.   We begin with a clip from the documentary Facing the Wind, which follows two caregivers as they navigate caring for their husbands with Lewy Body Disease. Then, Co-Host Terrence Casey shares his reflections on a live Q&A following a screening of the film in Philadelphia. Finally, Dr. Jason Karlawish provides a deeper insight into Lewy Body Disease, its significance in the world of aging research, and what it reveals about caregiving today.  Resources  Find an upcoming screening of Facing the Wind  Learn more about Lewy Body Dementia  National Institute of Health booklet on Lewy Body Dementia  More resources on Lewy Body Dementia Association website  Special thanks to Tony Heriza, Deirdra Fishel, and Linda Szypula for sharing their film with us and being a part of this episode. Special thanks as well to ARTZ Philidelphia for presenting the screening and Q&A. 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 UPenn’s Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center. Contributors include Nicolette Calcavecchia, Dalia Elsaid, Jason Karlawish, Emily Largent, and Meaghan Sharp.

    41 min

  8. JUL 8

    Okay, Let's Talk About Sex and Dementia

    Sex and intimacy can be difficult topics to navigate, especially for caregivers and their partners facing the challenges of a dementia diagnosis. These conversations are often avoided, yet the emotional toll of intimacy-related struggles can be profound, bringing feelings of grief, confusion, and isolation. The stigma surrounding sex and dementia only deepens this silence, making open dialogue all the more essential.   On this episode of The Age of Aging, we explore one caregiver’s deeply personal journey through love, loss, and change. Alison Lynn, Director of Social Work at the Penn Memory Center, speaks with author and advocate Lisa Marshall about her book Oh, Hello Alzheimer’s: A Caregiver’s Journey of Love.   Lisa shares the story of her husband Peter’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis and the emotional complexities that followed — including her decision to end their sexual relationship. With honesty and vulnerability, she reflects on the grief, guilt, and growth that came with that choice, offering insight and solidarity to others navigating similar paths.  Resources  This week’s Beautiful Question: What is a place with special meaning to you? Leave us a message at (571) 449-6474.  Read Lisa Marshall’s book, Oh, Hello Alzheimer's: A Caregiver's Journey of Love  Visit Lisa’s website   Special thanks to Lisa Marshall and Alison Lynn, MSW, LCSW 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 UPenn’s Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center. Contributors include Nicolette Calcavecchia, Dalia Elsaid, Jason Karlawish, Emily Largent, and Meaghan Sharp.

    40 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
16 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. Supported by the Penn Memory Center, Penn FTD Center, Penn Institute on Aging, and Penn Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center.

Information

  • Creator
    Penn Memory Center
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    28
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2024
  • Show Website
    Age of Aging

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