Neuroplasticity and the Power of Integrated Care for Older People
Release Date: 02/19/2025
Leading with Purpose and Innovation
Elevate Eldercare
In this week’s episode, AgingIN CEO Susan Ryan welcomes back Rob Liebreich, president and CEO of Goodwin Living, for a wide-ranging conversation on leadership, innovation, and the future of eldercare. Rob reflects on his 23-year journey in aging services, inspired by his grandmother’s experience, and shares how that personal connection continues to guide his mission. He recounts the challenges of leading Goodwin Living through COVID-19 and highlights the strength of a workforce in which 40 percent are immigrants. Together, Susan and Rob explore the growth of Goodwin...
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The Future of Resident Engagement and Connection
Elevate Eldercare
In this episode, Charles DeVilmorin, co-founder of Linked Senior and now part of LifeLoop, joins AgingINSM CEO Susan Ryan to share his journey into eldercare and the passion that drives his work in resident engagement. Charles began his path with a thesis on nursing home environments that revealed the devastating effects of isolation and boredom on residents. That eye-opening experience led him to create LinkedSenior, a technology platform designed to foster connection, purpose, and dignity for older adults. He discusses the challenges of segregation in eldercare, the...
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Advocacy and Innovation: A Vision for Aging Services
Elevate Eldercare
In today’s episode of Elevate Eldercare, AgingIN CEO Susan Ryan welcomes Deke Cateau, CEO of A.G. Rhodes, a nonprofit nursing and rehabilitation organization in metro Atlanta. Born and raised in Trinidad and Tobago, Deke’s path to long-term care was sparked by his wife’s encouragement and is sustained by his deep belief in the power of family and person-centered care. Deke offers a behind-the-scenes look at A.G. Rhodes, which serves 1,300 eldersannually. Listeners will learn about A.G. Rhodes’ innovative programs, including its small house model—designed to create...
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Dignity in Aging Through Policy Innovation, Community Engagement, and Collective Advocacy
Elevate Eldercare
In today’s episode, AgingIN CEO Susan Ryan sits down with Ben Veghte, director the WA Cares Fund, a state-run entity that provides working Washingtonians a way to earn access to long-term care benefits that will be available to eligible individuals. when they need them. Ben shares his inspiring journey from studying capitalism and social justice in Germany to directing the Fund. He and Susan explore why integrating housing, healthcare, and community is essential for aging with dignity, and he highlights the influence of the Dutch model—which prioritizes person-centered care, affordable...
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AgingIN: From Rebrand to Renewed Purpose in Person-Directed Living
Elevate Eldercare
This podcast’s producer, Center or Innovation, now has a new name: AgingIN. With a mission to be the catalyst for person-directed living and empowered cultures in the community of one’s choice, AgingIN’s rebrand and new strategic direction was ushered in through a partnership with 3rd3rd Marketing, a marketing firm that specializes in senior living. In today’s episode, Susan Ryan sits down with Cynthia Thurlow, founder of 3rd3rd. Inspired by personal experiences with her grandmother and father, Cynthia’s journey into eldercare is deeply rooted in empathy, innovation, and a passion...
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Elder Awesome: Barry Barkan on Saging, Sufficiency, and the Power of Paradigm Shifts
Elevate Eldercare
Host Susan Ryan sits down with visionary eldercare advocate and Pioneer Network co-founder Barry Barkan for a profound conversation on reimagining aging and the transformative potential of community, spirit, and consciousness. Barkan shares his journey from founding the Live Oak Institute to helping launch the Pioneer Network, driven by a belief that aging is not a problem to solve but a gift to elevate. He recounts his efforts to create a regenerative, inclusive community at the Jewish Home in Oakland—an idea that initially faced rejection but ultimately gained...
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Intergenerational Connections Through Education and Collaboration
Elevate Eldercare
In this insightful conversation, host Susan Ryan sits down with senior living innovator Andy Carle, consultant and founder of UniversityRetirementCommunities.com. Andy shares his personal journey into eldercare and the bold moves he’s made to elevate the field, from founding a 70-community company to creating the first university-level curriculum for senior living executives. Andy also dives into the concept of “nana technology”—his term for tech that supports aging with dignity—and explores the rise of University Retirement Communities (URCs), a model that merges...
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Eldercare Innovation Through Community, Design, and Determination
Elevate Eldercare
In this inspiring conversation, architect and eldercare innovator Jane Rohde shares her lifelong passion for community development and the power of person-centered care. From her early days with Erickson Retirement Communities to founding JSR Associates and the nonprofit Live Together, Jane has remained committed to transforming aging services through relationship-based, sustainable models. Susan Ryan sits down with Jane to discuss her experience working with The Green House Project and designing care systems in the U.S. and China. She also shares her vision for the future—leveraging AI...
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Exploring a Life of Service and Spirit
Elevate Eldercare
In this heartwarming and inspiring episode, Susan Ryan welcomes 99-year-old Peg McLaughlin and her daughter Marguerite for a moving conversation about Peg’s extraordinary life. A lifelong nurse, mother of five, and dedicated community volunteer, Peg shares stories from her upbringing in Providence, R.I., her career in obstetrics and pediatrics, and decades of service to others—whether through scouting, church ministries, or her local food bank. Now living in assisted living after having given up driving at age 98, Peg reflects on adjusting to a new chapter of life, maintaining her faith...
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Well-Being as a Framework: Rethinking Communities of Care
Elevate Eldercare
In this episode, Susan Ryan sits down with Rachel Broudy, MD, a passionate physician, innovator, and advocate for transforming eldercare. Her extensive experience includes serving as medical director at two PACE programs and currently as medical director of Pioneer Valley Hospice and Palliative Care and eldercare faculty at Ariadne Labs. This episode explores Dr. Broudy’s journey into aging services and her groundbreaking work at Ariadne Labs, where she led the creation of a well-being framework and conversation guide for nursing homes. Developed through Ariadne's Innovation...
info_outlineGerascophobia is the fear of aging or getting older. This fear, according to today’s podcast guest, Kelly Tremblay, PhD, can not only make us sick, but can also be combatted by engaging in wellness activities such as book clubs or walking clubs—or even by listening to an inspiring podcast. What’s more, doing the work to counter the fear can actually help change the trajectory of our health as we get older.
Tremblay, who is an audiologist and neuroscientist, and who co-authored the World Health Organization’s (WHO) new guidelines on integrated care for older people, examines the impact of neuroscience on longevity how it has shaped her life and work.
As Trembly sits down with Susan Ryan to talk about her research in neuroplasticity, hearing loss, and communication disorders, they discuss her work as a professional coach, healthy workplaces, and how her personal life has coincided with her work.
More about Dr. Tremblay’s work on WHO’s guidelines on integrated care for older people: https://canadianaudiologist.ca/world-health-organizations-guidelines-on-integrated-care-for-older-people-icope/