Elevate Eldercare

AgingIn
  • 4.9 (51)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Let's Elevate Eldercare Together! Every great eldercare community has a unique story, and there are many paths toward providing high-quality, person-directed services and supports for older adults. That's why we launched Elevate Eldercare—to bring together thought leaders, activists, and advocates in the field of aging services and give them a space where thoughtful discourse and diverse perspectives flow freely. Join Susan Ryan, CEO of AgingIN (formerly Center for Innovation), every Wednesday for enlightening, provocative, and sometimes uncomfortable conversations. Together, the hosts and guests explore opportunities and challenges in person-directed living and empowered cultures in the community of one's choice.

  1. 2D AGO

    A Bit About Hearing Loss and the Brain with Kelly Tremblay, PhD

    In this episode of Brain Bytes, host Kelly Tremblay, PhD, neuroscientist and hearing and brain health expert, explores the powerful—and often overlooked—connection between hearing and the brain.  In recognition of World Hearing Day on March 3, Dr. Kelly sheds light on why hearing health is critical to overall well-being, especially for older adults. Hearing loss is one of the leading causes of years lived with disability worldwide, affecting one in three adults over 65. But, as Dr. Kelly explains, it's not simply an inevitable part of aging—lifestyle factors, environmental exposure, and even certain medical treatments can play a significant role. This episode illuminates why hearing loss is closely linked to brain health and cognitive decline, how untreated hearing loss can contribute to social isolation and increased dementia risk, and how to recognize early signs of hearing loss. Dr. Kelly examines how hearing is not just about the ears, it's a brain function, and why early detection and intervention can significantly improve quality of life, communication, and cognitive health. Following are link to resources referred to in the episode: Hearing Loss Association of America: https://www.hearingloss.org/ WHO Deafness and Hearing Loss Q&A: https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/deafness-and-hearing-loss-safe-listening Ask an Audiologist: https://www.audiology.org/consumers-and-patients/ AgingIN Annual Conference: https://aginginnovation.org/events/annual-conference/  We are grateful to Parker Health for their sponsorship of this micro podcast.

    13 min

  2. 4D AGO

    Data-Driven Change in Seniors Housing with Lisa McCracken

    In this week's episode, AgingIN CEO Susan Ryan sits down with industry leader Lisa McCracken to explore how data, innovation, and bold thinking are reshaping the future of eldercare. With more than 26 years of experience spanning Holleran, Ziegler, and now the National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & Care, Lisa shares how research and analytics can drive access, affordability, and meaningful choice for older adults. From the growing urgency of serving the "forgotten middle" to the promise (and noise) of AI, this conversation offers a candid, forward-looking view of where the sector is headed—and what it will take to get there. In addition, with an overwhelming number of tech solutions entering the market, Lisa notes that NIC is working to evaluate and vet tools—especially through partnerships that help providers make smarter decisions. The future of eldercare will require innovation, partnerships, and a willingness to challenge traditional models—especially to meet the needs of a rapidly aging population. More about NIC here: https://www.nic.org

    59 min

  3. MAR 18

    Rethinking Affordable Housing for Older Adults with Amy Schectman

    In this week's episode AgingIN CEO Susan Ryan sits down with Amy Schectman, CEO of 2Life Communities, to explore how affordable housing, community connection, and supportive services can transform the experience of aging. She shares insights into how innovative housing models are helping older adults thrive while remaining connected to their communities. Amy reflects on her path to leadership—from early volunteer work in Baltimore to her professional beginnings at Massachusetts Institute of Technology during the administration of Michael Dukakis—and how those experiences shaped her commitment to equity, public service, and aging with dignity. Today, she leads 2Life Communities, an organization dedicated to creating affordable, supportive housing environments where older adults can live with purpose, connection, and security.To make housing possible, 2Life combines federal housing vouchers, the low-income housing tax credit program, and philanthropic support These funding sources allow 2Life Communities to keep rents affordable while also funding vital programs like arts, lifelong learning, and wellness. More about 2Life Communities here: https://2lifecommunities.org.

    58 min

  4. MAR 11

    Building Communities Where Aging Thrives with Christie Hinrichs

    In this week's episode, AgingIN CEO Susan Ryan sits down with Christie Hinrichs, president and CEO of Frasier, a life plan community in Boulder, Colo., who shares her journey from growing up on a farm in rural Nebraska to pioneering the Green House model at Tabitha, a senior living community in Omaha, Neb. Throughout their conversation, Christie reflects on the experiences that shaped her commitment to older adults—from childhood visits with "adopted grandparents" to her early work in hospice social work. Now leading Frasier, Christie describes a thriving community that offers a range of services where residents drive programming and engagement—so much so that the community has an 800-person waitlist. She shares why curiosity, respect, and accountability are core to building vibrant elder communities. As board chair of LeadingAge, Christie also addresses the urgent workforce crisis in aging services and calls for greater collaboration across organizations and states to meet the needs of a rapidly aging population. As Ryan points out, this is a conversation about intentional community, collective responsibility, and the courage to reimage what aging can look like when we truly listen. For more information about Frasier: Vimeo channel: https://vimeo.com/frasierlpc Website: https://www.frasiermeadows.org

    46 min

  5. MAR 4

    Healing Workplace Culture Through Nature-Inspired Leadership with MaryCay Durrant

    In this week's episode, AgingIN CEO Susan Ryan sits down with MaryCay Durrant, founder of Leading Naturally. In this enlightening discussion, MaryCay shares her journey from corporate leadership to developing nature-inspired practices that help organizations thrive. Drawing from her upbringing in North Dakota and a transformative personal awakening, MarCay challenges transactional workplace models and instead looks to ecosystems as a guide for cooperation, resilience, and trust. She introduces her WORK framework — Wake Up, Orient, Reimagine partnering, and Keepnourishing what matters — and the concept of Return on Energy (ROE), encouraging leaders to measure vitality and alignment, not just ROI. Through approaches such as equine-assisted learning, MaryCay helps organizations reduce burnout, strengthen connection, and build sustainable cultures grounded in partnership. More about MaryCay here: https://marycaydurrant.com

    1h 2m

  6. FEB 27

    A Bit About Dementia: Introducing "Brain Bytes"

    Introducing Brain Bytes, a new micro-cast hosted by Kelly Tremblay, PhD, neuroscientist, World Health Organization advisor, NIH grant reviewer, advocate, and professor. Brain Bytes features "byte"-sized nuggets of knowledge aimed at making neuroscience accessible for the senior living world.  In each episode, which will air on the fourth Friday of each month, Dr. Tremblay will share research-backed information related to aging and brain health. This week, she explores the different types of dementia and examines what evidence-based researchtells us about it. While encouraging listeners to take practical steps to support healthy aging, Dr. Tremblay explains that a significant portion of dementia risk may be modifiable. Factors such as education, physical activity, cardiovascular health, hearing and vision care, and social connection all play a role in supporting brain health across the lifespan. The following links accompany today's episode: • https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/alzheimers-and-dementia • https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(24)01296-0/abstract • https://www.thelancet.com/infographics-do/dementia-risk We are grateful to Parker Health for their sponsorship of this micro-cast.

    11 min

  7. FEB 25

    The Power of Making Brain Science Accessible with Dr. Kelly Tremblay

    This week on the podcast, AgingIN CEO, Susan Ryan, welcomes Kelly Tremblay, PhD, a neuroscientist, World Health Organization advisor, NIH grant reviewer, advocate, and professor. As a first-generation college student, Kelly's path was shaped by lived experience. Growing up with a father who had multiple sclerosis, she became an early advocate for accessibility and healthcare equity. At the University of Washington, Kelly led research focused on the aging brain and collaborated with the National Institutes of Health and the World Health Organization to help translate science into global health strategies. In this wide-ranging conversation, Susan and Kelly discuss health literacy and Kelly's desire to bridge the gap between research and real life by making science accessible, practical, and actionable. This goal comes to life in the launch of Brain Bytes, a new monthly micro-cast debuting Friday, Feb. 27, with new episodes dropping on the fourth Friday of each month. Designed to deliver bite-sized, evidence-based insights, Brain Bytes will focus on six key areas of brain health: nutrition, hearing loss, vision loss, mood, cognition, and balance Throughout the episode, Kelly reminds us that knowledge is power—but only if it's accessible. Brain Bytes aims to empower listeners with clear, plain-language information that supports better decisions, stronger advocacy, and healthier aging.

    41 min

  8. FEB 18

    Aligning Leadership, Mission, and Innovation

    In this episode, AgingIN CEO, Susan Ryan, sits down with Mary Naber, president and CEO of PACE Southeast Michigan, to explore her remarkable leadership journey and the transformative potential of the PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) model of care. Mary shares how her career evolved from respiratory therapy into executive leadership. With degrees in psychology, business, and an MBA from the University of Michigan, Mary blends clinical insight, business acumen, and people-centered leadership. Susan and Mary discuss how Mary's transition to PACE was deeply personal. After navigating the healthcare system during her mother's dementia journey, Mary became committed to improving care for older adults. She found that in the mission of PACE: a model designed to keep older adults living safely in their communities rather than in nursing homes. Mary and Susan discuss the organization's development of the Green House homes at the PACE site in Detroit, Mich. This episode is a powerful look at what's possible when leadership, mission, and innovation align to support healthy aging in community. More about PACE Southeast Michigan here: https://www.pacesemi.org/

    56 min
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About

Let's Elevate Eldercare Together! Every great eldercare community has a unique story, and there are many paths toward providing high-quality, person-directed services and supports for older adults. That's why we launched Elevate Eldercare—to bring together thought leaders, activists, and advocates in the field of aging services and give them a space where thoughtful discourse and diverse perspectives flow freely. Join Susan Ryan, CEO of AgingIN (formerly Center for Innovation), every Wednesday for enlightening, provocative, and sometimes uncomfortable conversations. Together, the hosts and guests explore opportunities and challenges in person-directed living and empowered cultures in the community of one's choice.

Information

  • Creator
    AgingIn
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    338
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Show Website
    Elevate Eldercare

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