A Bit About World Brain Day and Screening for Brain Health, with Kelly Tremblay, PhD
Release Date: 07/24/2026
Research That Actually Makes a Difference, with Liza Behrens, et. al.
Elevate Eldercare
What happens when nursing home residents, direct care workers, administrators, clinicians, and researchers all have an equal seat at the table? In this episode of Elevate Eldercare, host Susan Ryan welcomes Liza Behrens, assistant professor at Penn State University, along with members of the Empowering U.S. Nursing Homes Community Advisory Board explore how person-centered research can transform the future of long-term care. Funded by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI), the project is working to increase the capacity of nursing homes to participate in meaningful clinical...
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Redefining Long-Term Care for Complex Populations, with David Skoczulek
Elevate Eldercare
In this episode of Elevate Eldercare, AgingIN CEO Susan Ryan welcomes David Skoczulek, vice president of business development and communications at iCare Health Network, for a conversation about providing compassionate care to some of the most underserved populations in long-term care. Drawing on his background as a paramedic, David shares how empathy, communication, and human connection have shaped his approach to serving older adults with complex medical, behavioral health, and social needs. David discusses iCare’s innovative care model, including its nationally recognized...
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A Bit About World Brain Day and Screening for Brain Health, with Kelly Tremblay, PhD
Elevate Eldercare
In recognition of World Brain Day, Dr. Kelly Tremblay explores why brain health requires a whole-person approach. She explains how hearing, vision, nutrition, mobility, and social connection all play critical roles in cognitive health, and why addressing these factors early can reduce the risk of dementia, falls, and other age-related challenges. Kelly also introduces the World Health Organization's free Integrated Care of Older People (ICOPE) screening tools, which empower individuals and communities to monitor brain and overall health through easy-to-use, multilingual...
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Bridging the Caregiving Divide, with Robert Espinoza
Elevate Eldercare
What will it take to build a long-term care system that truly works for everyone? In this episode, AgingIN CEO Susan Ryan welcomes Robert Espinoza, founder of the CareWorks Project, for a thought-provoking conversation about reimagining care through innovation, equity, and collaboration. Robert shares the personal experiences that shaped his career and introduces the concept of the “caregiving divide,” the growing gap between the care people need and the care they actually receive. Together, Susan and Robert explore the urgent need for person-centered and worker-centered solutions,...
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How Aging Forward Is Redefining Aging Through Community, with Sarah Cheney
Elevate Eldercare
What does it take to build communities where older adults can continue learning, connecting, and thriving? In this week’s episode, AgingIN CEO Susan Ryan sits down with Sarah Cheney, Executive Director of Aging Forward, to explore how the organization is empowering older adults through lifelong learning, volunteer services, and neighbor-to-neighbor support. Sarah shares the personal experiences that shaped her passion for aging services and explains how Aging Forward—formerly Shepherd Centers—has spent the past 50 years helping older adults remain engaged, independent, and connected in...
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Why Philanthropy Matters to the Future of Aging, with Peter Kaldes
Elevate Eldercare
AgingIN CEO Susan Ryan sits down with Peter Kaldes, president and CEO of the Next50 Foundation, to explore how philanthropy can help transform the future of aging. Peter shares his unconventional journey from attorney and public policy leader to one of the nation's leading advocates for older adults. He discusses Next50's mission to end ageism while investing in innovative solutions that help people age well. Their conversation examines the critical role philanthropy plays in advancing aging services, the need for greater investment in digital inclusion, housing, and community-based...
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The Next Generation of Eldercare, with Francis LeGasse Jr.
Elevate Eldercare
In this episode of Elevate Eldercare, AgingIN CEO Susan Ryan welcomes Francis LeGasse Jr, co-founder and managing partner of Assured Senior Living, a growing network of small homes in Colorado, to discuss how intimate, relationship-centered living environments are transforming eldercare. Francis shares his personal journey into aging services, inspired by his family's experiences with dementia and caregiving, and explains why he transitioned from home care to the small house model. He describes how thoughtfully designed homes, each serving just nine residents, create opportunities for...
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A Bit About Depression, with Kelly Tremblay, PhD
Elevate Eldercare
Feeling sad after a loss, health change, or major life transition is a normal part of life. But depression is not a normal part of aging. In this episode of Brain Bytes, Kelly Tremblay, PhD, explores how to distinguish between temporary low mood and clinical depression, highlighting common symptoms such as persistent sadness, loss of interest in activities, changes in sleep or appetite, and social withdrawal. Dr. Kelly also discusses the important role of social connection in protecting emotional well-being and reviews evidence-based approaches that can help, including cognitive...
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Reimagining Assisted Living Through the Small House Model, with George Kutnerian
Elevate Eldercare
In this episode, AgingIN CEO Susan Ryan sits down with George Kutnerian, second-generation operator and co-founder of WellPointe, a California-based organization operating 67 licensed small house assisted living locations. George shares the remarkable story of how his parents pioneered the residential assisted living model in Fresno, Calif., in 1984 and how their vision has evolved into a scalable, person-centered approach to housing and care. Susan and George explore the operational realities behind the model, including adaptive reuse of single-family homes, co-located operations for...
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Healthspan, Purpose, and the AgingIN 2026 Conference, with Kelly Tremblay, PhD
Elevate Eldercare
In today’s episode, AgingIN CEO Susan Ryan welcomes neuroscientist, audiologist, and educator Kelly Tremblay, PhD, for a conversation about healthy aging, brain health, and the science behind longevity. Susan and Dr. Kelly also preview the upcoming AgingIN Conference 2026 and its highly anticipated Longevity Summit, where participants will explore the importance of knowing the difference between lifespan and healthspan. Dr. Kelly explains how the World Health Organization Integrated Care for Older People (ICOPE) framework offers a practical roadmap for...
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In recognition of World Brain Day, Dr. Kelly Tremblay explores why brain health requires a whole-person approach. She explains how hearing, vision, nutrition, mobility, and social connection all play critical roles in cognitive health, and why addressing these factors early can reduce the risk of dementia, falls, and other age-related challenges.
Kelly also introduces the World Health Organization's free Integrated Care of Older People (ICOPE) screening tools, which empower individuals and communities to monitor brain and overall health through easy-to-use, multilingual assessments.
Tune in to learn how proactive screening and integrated care can help extend not just lifespan, but healthspan, while supporting independence and quality of life.
To learn more, join us at our AgingIN conference and discover what the World Health Organization and your peer communities are doing to make aging better: https://aginginnovationconference.org/program/longevity-summit/
More about ICOPE here: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240103726