Elevate Eldercare
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, Alex Spanko, and other GHP team members every Wednesday for enlightening, provocative, and sometimes uncomfortable conversations. Together, the hosts and guests explore the opportunities and challenges in building a new, dignified eldercare system through the lens of the Green House and Pioneer models.
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Well-Being as a Framework: Rethinking Communities of Care
07/09/2025
Well-Being as a Framework: Rethinking Communities of Care
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 Arc process—research, design, test, and spread—this four-year project culminated in a pilot at two Mississippi nursing homes. The result? A practical, scalable toolkit that empowers staff and centers care on purpose, connection, and meaning. Dr. Broudy also shares her work on the Living Well with Dementia Toolkit, which redefines dementia care as an adaptive, relational journey. The toolkit includes conversation and emotion cards that help families and caregivers explore emotions, relationships, and identity—helping shift how we understand and support those living with dementia. If you're looking for inspiring ideas and practical tools to shift the culture of aging and long-term care, this episode is a must-listen. Some links of interest: Ariadne Labs Innovation Arc: Ariadne Labs Well-being Framework & Conversation Guide: Ariadne Labs Living Well with Dementia Toolkit:
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A Nurse’s Eye, a Leader’s Heart: Episode 300 with Jennie Chin Hansen
07/02/2025
A Nurse’s Eye, a Leader’s Heart: Episode 300 with Jennie Chin Hansen
There are few people who have the depth and breadth of knowledge about long-term services and supports than Jennie Chin Hansen, who we are honored to have as the 300th guest on today’s episode. With a rich background in nursing and a penchant for solving problems, Hansen’s career spans decades of leading top healthcare organizations such as the American Geriatrics Society, AARP, and On Lok, which is the flagship/prototype for what is now known as People for All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE). She currently serves on the boards of the Medicare Advantage SCAN Health Plan and HelpAge USA. In 2019, she helped to craft the California Masterplan for Aging, now in implementation. For this week’s episode, Hansen sits down with Susan Ryan to discuss how her childhood experience as an Asian girl living in Boston shaped her career choices. She also discusses her desire to see more upstream work that focuses getting “people prepared for their own aging changes.” Finally, Hansen shares her vision for what she believes will help to not only “hold the line,” but also move it with regard to ensuring economic security for older Americans. Among Hansen’s many awards are the American Academy of Nursing’s Health Care Leader Award, American Society on Aging’s Hall of Fame Award, and the National Council on Aging’s Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2024, she received an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters degree from Harvard University at its commencement ceremony in May of 2024. Here is video of highlights from that event: .
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Trailblazers in Eldercare Mobilize the Movement
06/25/2025
Trailblazers in Eldercare Mobilize the Movement
Susan Ryan welcomes three trailblazers in the eldercare culture change movement to this week’s episode: Joanne Rader, Charlene Boyd, and Rose Marie Fagan. Each guest has a distinct and storied history within the culture change movement, and each has taken an interesting and unique journey built on their pioneering experiences. Joanne Rader recounts her shift from rehab nursing to transforming geriatric mental health—moving away from restraints and toward truly personcentered care. Charlene Boyd shares how she led organizational change in longterm care settings, dismantling outdated practices to put residents first. Rose Marie Fagan reflects on her journey from teaching to eldercare advocacy, culminating in the formation of the national Pioneer Network. Together, they explore past challenges, celebrate hardwon successes, and cast a vision for continued communitydriven reform. Collectively, they recount the wins they have accomplished along the in transforming eldercare and improving quality, including the following: eliminating restraints and realityorientation protocols transforms quality of life; perspective shifts that views elders as full participants, not passive recipients in their care; the creation of grassroots forums and persistent advocacy that gave birth to the Pioneer Network and a national movement; and change that now demands risktaking, intergenerational partnerships, and amplifying elders’ voices. In addition, they discuss their work in making “good trouble” that champions bold, disruptive ideas that advance personcentered care. Their call to action is to join them at the Center for Innovation conference this Aug. 11 to 14 in St. Louis, Mo. Don’t miss the preconference session featuring Boyd, Rader, and Fagan, as well as many other pioneers who continue to mobilize the culturechange movement: .
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Building Digital Equity In a Tech-Focused World
06/18/2025
Building Digital Equity In a Tech-Focused World
In this episode of Elevate Eldercare, Susan Ryan welcomes Mario Rubano, a passionate advocate for older adults. Mario shares his remarkable journey from a childhood steeped in intergenerational connection to a career that spans music therapy, public health, and systems change in aging services. In his role as Regional Program Manager at OATS (Older Adults Technology Services) from AARP, Mario is focused on transforming how older adults engage with technology. OATS now has more than 500 partner sites in 37 states through its Senior Planet programming, which seeks to empower older adults to achieve meaningful change in areas like financial security, social connection, creative expression, health, and civic engagement. In addition to diving into the operations and scale of OATs, Mario shares his vision for a future where older adults are not only tech-savvy but leaders in shaping how technology is used to promote connection, health, and purpose. He closes with a call to action: explore Senior Planet programs, take a free class, and spread the word about OATS's mission to close the digital divide. For more information: OATS from AARP: Senior Planet Licensing: Tech Resources for Caregivers:
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The 2025 Center for Innovation Conference Preview
06/11/2025
The 2025 Center for Innovation Conference Preview
The 2025 Center for Innovation Conference registration has launched! And in today’s episode, Susan Ryan talks with Joan Divine and Marla DeVries about what’s in store for this auspicious event, scheduled for August 11 to 14 in St. Louis, Missouri. Hosted by The Green House Project and Pioneer Network, this event marks a significant gathering for those committed to transforming eldercare. In addition to a discussion about the theme of “Mobilize the Movement,” some episode highlights include the following: • An exploration of the legacy of the Pioneer Network and its pivotal role in advocating for person-centered care and culture change in eldercare settings. • A look at the opening keynote speaker, Bob Chapman, including insights into his philosophy of “Truly Human Leadership.” • A discussion about the Tech Innovation Summit and Coaching Boot Camps, both designed to equip attendees with cutting-edge tools and leadership skills. • A review of the opportunities for hands-on learning and connecting with professionals dedicated to eldercare innovation. • Site visits that enable attendees to experience, firsthand, the innovative care models at Green House Cottages and Dolan Memory Care Homes, exemplifying non-institutional, person-directed care environments. Link to conference website : Link to conference agenda: Link to conference registration:
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A Legacy of Care and Innovation
05/28/2025
A Legacy of Care and Innovation
In this week’s episode, Susan Ryan sits down with Dr. Carol McKinley, president and CEO of Simpson, a senior living community in Bala Cynwyd, Pa. Carol shares her journey of more than 35 years in eldercare, and how early interactions with her grandmother and father's ministry work inspired her career in social work and geriatrics. In addition to emphasizing the importance of listening to older adults and integrating their needs into care plans, Carol discussed future advancements in home-based technology to support aging in place and reducing workforce strain. Carol urged embracing technology and innovation to enhance caregiving, and Simpson’s use of the innovative Amba program to monitor residents' wellness and improve care efficiency. Find more details about Simpson here:
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Inspired by Family, Driven by Purpose
05/21/2025
Inspired by Family, Driven by Purpose
Inspiration comes in many forms, but in the field of aging services it appears that it most often comes from one’s own experience with a loved one. Case in point: Jennifer Baker, policy director at the Moving Forward Nursing Home Quality Coalition, whose motivation to work in eldercare comes from early exposure to her great aunt and grandmother, both of whom had Alzheimer's disease. Susan Ryan sits down with Baker for today’s episode to discuss her career journey,which included a pivotal fellowship that enabled her to live in an Alzheimer's home in South Africa. This, she says, shifted her perspective from viewing patients as victims to valuing their personhood. Baker also highlights her work on the University of Nevada, Reno Sanford Center for Aging, including launching an AmeriCorps VISTA project and a walking program for people living with dementia. In discussing the challenges of federal funding cuts and the impact on programs and services for older adults and people with disabilities, Baker reflects on the importance of advocating for programs that support community living and the potential consequences of premature nursing home placements. For more information about the Moving Forward Coalition:
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Hand in Hand: Advancing the Movement to Humanize Eldercare
05/14/2025
Hand in Hand: Advancing the Movement to Humanize Eldercare
Bold, visionary leaders are the ones who challenge the status quo, break down barriers, and champion quality of life for older adults. Today’s guest, Karen Schoeneman, is a shining example of that kind of leadership. This week, Susan Ryan sits down with Karen to discuss her many years of work reforming long term care, beginning with her work in social services, where her passion for resident-centered care took root. That passion fueled a remarkable 22-year career at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), where she specialized in regulatory guidance for quality of life, led survey process improvements, and helped train more than 5,000 surveyors nationwide. As a founding member of the Pioneer Network, Karen helped to grow a national movement dedicated to transforming long-term care. She played a key role in the development of the , a tool used by nursing homes and assisted living communities to assess and enhance person-centered care. Karen’s groundbreaking contributions have earned her numerous accolades, including the Picker Philanthropy Lifetime Achievement Award, the ACHCA Public Service Award, and the Pegasus Award for her work as executive producer of the CMS “Hand in Hand” training toolkit. Though officially retired, Karen’s legacy lives on through the countless people and communities she has inspired to embrace person-directed practices. Tune in and be inspired by Karen’s journey, her insights, and her unwavering dedication to culture change in eldercare.
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Creating Compassionate Organizations
05/07/2025
Creating Compassionate Organizations
In this episode, Susan Ryan sits down with Marcus Engel—speaker, educator, and expert in compassion science—whose powerful survival story has become a catalyst for inspiring more humane, connected workplaces. Through his work, Marcus helps organizations foster environments rooted in empathy, connection, and purpose. With a Master’s in Narrative Medicine from Columbia University and a teaching role at the University of Notre Dame, Marcus brings a unique blend of storytelling and science to the conversation. He’s spoken at top healthcare institutions, universities, and even the United Nations in celebration of International Nurses Day. In addition to exploring how Marcus’ personal journey shaped his commitment to compassion, this episode examines what “narrative medicine” is and why it matters in healthcare and beyond, strategies for cultivating compassion in professional settings, and the power of staying connected to mission in high-stress environments. Connect with Marcus Engel here:
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Australia’s First Green House Homes
04/30/2025
Australia’s First Green House Homes
In today’s episode, Susan Ryan sits down with Dan Gordon, Craig Major, and Stephanie Smithson of ACH Group, creators of the first international Green House homes in Adelaide, Australia. Based in South Australia, ACH implemented the Green House model into its newest residential care home, Healthia, in Elizabeth in 2023. Dan, a nurse, and Craig, a healthcare manager, discuss their journeys into eldercare, and their experiences with the Green House model. Stephanie, who has 36 years of experience in eldercare, highlights the benefits of model. The project includes eight individual houses with 12 rooms each, a partnership with the local health network, and a hospital-in-the-home program. The group explains how the homes’ care model has had a powerful impact on the residents as well as the staff. Find more details about ACH’s Green House home, Healthia, here:
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The 2025 Center for Innovation Conference Preview
04/23/2025
The 2025 Center for Innovation Conference Preview
The 2025 Center for Innovation Conference registration has launched! And in today’s episode, Susan Ryan talks with Joan Divine and Marla DeVries about what’s in store for this auspicious evet, scheduled for August 11 to 14 in St. Louis, Missouri. Hosted by The Green House Project and Pioneer Network, this event marks a significant gathering for those committed to transforming eldercare. In addition to a discussion about the theme of “Mobilize the Movement,” some episode highlights include the following: • An exploration of the legacy of the Pioneer Network and its pivotal role in advocating for person-centered care and culture change in eldercare settings. • A look at the opening keynote speaker, Bob Chapman, including insights into his philosophy of “Truly Human Leadership.” • A discussion about the Tech Innovation Summit and Coaching Boot Camps, both designed to equip attendees with cutting-edge tools and leadership skills. • A review of the opportunities for hands-on learning and connecting with professionals dedicated to eldercare innovation. • Site visits that enable attendees to experience, firsthand, the innovative care models at Green House Cottages and Dolan Memory Care Homes, exemplifying non-institutional, person-directed care environments.
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Opportunities Begin with Seeing the Whole Person
04/16/2025
Opportunities Begin with Seeing the Whole Person
Opportunity can come in many shapes and in unexpected places. Today’s guest, Jeff Ash, Ed.D, chief diversity, equity, and inclusion officer at The Universities at Shady Grove in Rockville, Md., tells a very compelling story about how he was given an opportunity that set the stage for his now-illustrious career. Having had a somewhat circuitous career path as a young academic, Dr. Ash describes how he was given a break because someone saw him as a whole person. Today, with more than 25 years of academia in the University of Maryland system under his belt, Dr. Ash walks the walk when it comes to his philosophy on fair, equitable opportunities and why he is often more impressed with a lower GPA than by a 4.0. His keen insights, wisdom, and guidance in conversation with Susan Ryan in this episode are especially timely and essential. Prioritizing people, no matter their race, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, or age, is a core tenet of the Center for Innovation as we create communities of belonging, where individuals are seen as whole people with intrinsic worth, and our shared humanity enables all to live, grow, and thrive. Learn more about the CFI’s upcoming conference in St. Louis this August:
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Inside the EINSTEIN Option Summit
03/26/2025
Inside the EINSTEIN Option Summit
Policy experts Joe Angelelli and Anne Montgomery return to the podcast to discuss the recent EINSTEIN Option summit, a gathering of eldercare changemakers dedicated to advancing a comprehensive plan to reimagine the entire care delivery system. In this episode, you’ll learn how the EINSTEIN Option could create full care continuums in communities around the country, with services and supports that meet elders where they are — instead of forcing them into institutional settings that do not meet their needs. Learn more about the EINSTEIN Option, including a recording from the summit: Learn more about the CFI conference in St. Louis this August:
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Sustaining Small Homes for Decades
03/19/2025
Sustaining Small Homes for Decades
Suellen Beatty is a pioneer of person-directed care and small-home living in Canada. During her decades-long career at the Sherbrooke Community Center in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Beatty worked tirelessly to always go above and beyond even the basics of person-directed care practices, building a community where residents actually want to live, and caregivers actually want to work — with the more than 90% retention rate to prove it. Beatty joins the podcast this week to discuss how she helped turn Sherbrooke into a national standard for eldercare — as well as intergenerational education — north of the border. Learn more about Sherbrooke: Read the recent Canadian small-home report:
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Documenting the Dementia Journey on Film
03/12/2025
Documenting the Dementia Journey on Film
Like far too many people across the world, Kyle Henry was forced to spend his mother’s last days communicating from behind screens and PPE as the COVID-19 pandemic raged. But Henry — a prolific filmmaker and associate professor at Northwestern University — also saw an opportunity to shine a light on dementia, caregiving, and his own relationship with his mother. His film “Time Passages” stands as a tribute not just to one family struggling with the impending loss of a matriarch, but to all the caregivers and people living with dementia who have traveled similar paths. Learn more about the film, as well as screenings and streaming information: Learn more about Caring Across Generations:
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The Case for Population Health Management in Long-Term Care
03/05/2025
The Case for Population Health Management in Long-Term Care
The pursuit of innovative solutions in nursing home care is ongoing, and there is no shortage of people who are dedicated to this endeavor. Today’s guest, Fred Bentley, managing director of ATI Advisory’s Post-Acute/Long-Term care and Senior Living Practice, is one of these people. In addition to advocating for long-term care providers to shift focus to population health management, he also promotes innovation in clinical capabilities and embracing partnerships. Bentley sat down with Susan Ryan to discuss his 25-year journey in aging services and the potential of the household model to improve care and staffing. In addition, he addressed the recent administration’s funding and communications freeze, as well as its impact on aging services providers, including potential reforms to Medicaid and Medicare. Bentley also shared his perspective on the opportunities amid uncertainty, highlighting the increasing demand for long-term care services and supports as the population grows older.
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Paving the Way for Innovative Eldercare
02/26/2025
Paving the Way for Innovative Eldercare
To be a trailblazer is not an easy path. There are detractors, nay sayers, and critics, of course. But to pave the way for others to achieve great things in the field of eldercare takes heart and soul as well. Today’s guest, Steve McAlilly, has accomplished this all. In addition to leading the development of the first-ever Green House Homes, he has served as president and CEO of Mississippi Methodist Senior Services in Tupelo for 31 years. As McAlilly prepares to retire this week, Susan Ryan had the opportunity to sit down with him to talk about his journey from a lawyer to that moment when he realized he had to build that first non-institutional nursing home in the country. McAlilly describes the transition to operating an innovative eldercare model that has improved wellbeing and quality outcomes for older adults for over 20 years and in more than 400 homes nationwide. On behalf of the Center for Innovation board and its team, we salute McAlilly for the indelible imprint he’s made in forever changing the landscape of eldercare. He indeed has helped to change the world.
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Neuroplasticity and the Power of Integrated Care for Older People
02/19/2025
Neuroplasticity and the Power of Integrated Care for Older People
Gerascophobia 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:
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Neuroplasticity and the Power of Integrated Care for Older People
02/19/2025
Neuroplasticity and the Power of Integrated Care for Older People
Gerascophobia 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:
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Forging Good Trouble in Seniors Housing and Care
02/12/2025
Forging Good Trouble in Seniors Housing and Care
Innovation and disruption have not been typical keywords used to describe the seniors housing and care industry. This perception is rapidly changing thanks in large part to today’s guest, Bob Kramer, a self-described serial social entrepreneur and founder and president of Nexus Insights, an advisory firm that helps clients redefine aging and rethink aging services. His many decades in the field, coupled with his penchant for thinking outside the box has earned Kramer a reputation as an iconoclast and agitator in the field. His conversation with Susan Ryan in this episode tracks with this moniker and spans his experience as a Maryland state legislator, the establishment of the National Investment Center for Seniors Housing and Care in 1991, as well as his call for a shift from “sick care” to “well care” in the field. What’s more, Kramer discusses the strategic importance of influencing people to drive lasting change, drawing from his experience in politics. In addition, he asserts that there is now a profound opportunity for disruptive change in long-term services and supports.
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From the Theater to Dementia Advocacy
02/05/2025
From the Theater to Dementia Advocacy
There’s an old quote about how thinking about death is like staring at the sun — you can’t really do it for too long without becoming overwhelmed. The same can be said for Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia: The idea of a parent, spouse, or other loved one no longer recognizing you is far too distressing for most people to consider. But Marilyn Raichle — a longtime leader in the theater world — responded to her parents’ dementia diagnoses not by turning away but dedicating herself to caregiving and advocacy. Today, as the executive director of Maude’s Awards, she helps fund organizations that look at dementia differently, providing support to the people currently walking the same path she did with her parents. Learn more about Maude's Awards: Check out Marilyn’s book, “Don't Walk Away”:
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Building Villages to Support Aging in Place
01/29/2025
Building Villages to Support Aging in Place
It’s no secret that most people want to age in place, but without a strong support system, getting older in your longtime home can lead to unwanted challenges and isolation. The Village to Village Network works to create durable webs of support in communities all across the country, organizing volunteers to provide the kind of nuts-and-bolts assistance — transportation, home maintenance, tech support — and social experiences that make thriving in place possible. Village to Village Network national director Barbara Sullivan joins the podcast to discuss her journey through eldercare, as well as her vision for making these intentional villages the norm in neighborhoods everywhere. Learn more about the Village to Village Network:
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A Mandate for Canada: Prioritizing Small House Care Homes
01/22/2025
A Mandate for Canada: Prioritizing Small House Care Homes
The COVID-19 pandemic awakened the nation – and the world – to the fact that small-house eldercare homes were substantially safer places to deliver long-term care compared with traditional nursing homes. And while it’s now been almost five years since the onset of the pandemic, Canadian health policy makers such as Samir Sinha, MD, continue to raise awareness of the need for the proliferation of models such as Green House homes. As it happens, his appearance on this week’s episode coincides with his new report, titled “There's No Place Like Home: Why Canada Must Prioritize Small Care Home Models in its Provision of Long-Term Care,” published by his Toronto Metropolitan University’s National Institute on Ageing, where he is director of health policy research. Susan Ryan sits down with Dr. Sinha to discuss his work, the new report, and why he wants Canada to prioritize small care home models in the future delivery of long-term care services. Dr. Sinha, who is also a geriatrician and clinician scientist at Sinai Health System and the University Health Network in Toronto, a professor of medicine at the University of Toronto, and a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences, has lots to say about eldercare, his desire to help and to work with vulnerable populations. Listen to the episode to find out why he believes importance of adequate staffing and the role of universal direct care and its relationship to better resident-centered care. Download the Toronto Metropolitan University’s report on small-house models here:
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Using Robots to Facilitate Human Connection
01/15/2025
Using Robots to Facilitate Human Connection
For more than a decade now, tech companies have promised robotic assistants that could one day help solve workforce shortages in eldercare settings. Concerns over safety and the loss of the personal touch aside, these worker bots remain science fiction — but what if robots could bridge, and not expand, the isolation that so many older adults face? Vecna Technologies CEO Deborah Theobald joins the program to talk about VGo, her company’s telepresence product that allows people to experience through the world through the eyes of a controllable robot. Theobold explains why telepresence technology such as VGo could help reduce isolation and provide unique experiences for elders in long-term care settings, while also discussing her long career in technology. Learn more about VGo:
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Data as an Engine for Change in Eldercare
01/08/2025
Data as an Engine for Change in Eldercare
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Rethinking Technology’s Role in Eldercare and Senior Living
12/18/2024
Rethinking Technology’s Role in Eldercare and Senior Living
This December, we're taking a look back at some of the top episodes from 2024, with a special focus on the speakers and ideas that took center stage at our annual conference in Grand Rapids, Mich. last month. Please enjoy this encore presentation of our interview with Amber Bardon Across all industries, it can be difficult to separate promising, useful tech solutions from the hype — especially in senior living and eldercare, which have historically been slow to adopt even basic systems like electronic health records and high-speed wifi. Parasol Alliance CEO Amber Bardon has spent nearly a decade trying to change that reality, working with providers across the spectrum to adopt and implement comprehensive technology plans. She joins the podcast to explain why leaders must rethink their organizations’ relationships with tech: Instead of “IT” being a person who stops by every once in a while to fix a buggy printer, it must be the cornerstone of any forward-thinking provider. Learn more about Parasol Alliance: Subscribe to the “Raising Tech” podcast:
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Learning from Household Models Around the World
12/11/2024
Learning from Household Models Around the World
This December, we're taking a look back at some of the top episodes from 2024, with a special focus on the speakers and ideas that took center stage at our annual conference in Grand Rapids, Mich. last month. Please enjoy this encore presentation of our interview with Martin Rix. While the Green House model is the most widely implemented small-home nursing care concept in the U.S., it’s not alone — innovators around the world have developed person-directed, human-scale communities where elders of all abilities can thrive. Belong, a non-profit provider organization, has brought its own household model — the Belong Village — to towns across the United Kingdom. CEO Martin Rix joins the podcast to discuss Belong’s empowering suite of services, its membership in the Household Model International Consortiumalongside The Green House Project and Australia’s HammondCare, and the lessons we can learn from forward-thinking eldercare leaders across borders. Learn more about Belong: Save the date for our annual conference, coming November 11-13:
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Balancing Risk, Responsibility, and Reward with Aging Tech: Part II
12/04/2024
Balancing Risk, Responsibility, and Reward with Aging Tech: Part II
This December, we're taking a look back at some of the top episodes from 2024, with a special focus on the speakers and ideas that took center stage at our annual conference in Grand Rapids, Mich. last month. Please enjoy this encore presentation of our interview with Joe Velderman.The topic of responsibly integrating technology into eldercare communities is so rich and complex that we needed two episodes with Joe Velderman, vice president of innovation at Cypress Living in Fort Myers, Fla. to capture it all. Velderman returns to dive into the specific tech solutions that his organization has adopted across its life plan community, Cypress Cove, as well as its commitment to incorporating the resident voice into its technology decisions – and the role he sees technology playing in the lives of elders in the not-so-distant future. Explore Cypress Living’s services for older adults: Read Cypress Living’s philosophy on AI: Learn about the Nobi smart lamp:
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Gathering Around the Gratitude Table 2024: Sarah Neuman
11/27/2024
Gathering Around the Gratitude Table 2024: Sarah Neuman
It’s an “Elevate Eldercare” tradition: Each Thanksgiving, we set up a virtual gratitude table for the people who live the values of culture change every day. This year, we welcome a team from The New Jewish Home’s Sarah Neuman campus in Westchester County, N.Y. — assistant administrator Miriam Levi, nurse Wendy McDonald, and CNA Joycelyn Scott-Adir. They share the reasons why they’ve each spent at least two decades at Sarah Neuman, which created a unique set of Green House homes despite the organization’s inability to build new infrastructure on its traditional nursing campus. And we hope you join us in honoring the caregivers who support elders day in and day out, even on holidays, as we celebrate Thanksgiving. Learn more about the New Jewish Home and Sarah Neuman: Go inside the small homes at Sarah Neuman:
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The Quest for Dementia-Inclusion
11/20/2024
The Quest for Dementia-Inclusion
Upholding civil liberties, addressing fear, and creating flexible systems to support individuals who are living with dementia are passionate goals for the three guests on this episode of Elevate Eldercare. Susan Ryan sits down with Jennifer Carson, PhD, director of the Dementia Engagement, Education, and Research (DEER) program at the Univ. of Nevada, Reno School of Public Health; Al Power, MD, geriatrician and Schlegel Chair in Aging and Dementia Innovation at the Schlegel-U Waterloo Research Institute at the Univ. of Rochester, New York; Jen Wilson, vice president of well-being at Carol Woods Retirement Community, as they help memory care providers open their minds and their doors to living well with cognitive change As the trio describes their quest to create “dementia-inclusive” communities, Wilson shares her 40-year career in supporting people with dementia, emphasizing the need for social justice and partnership with those affected. Dr. Power reflects on the negative impacts of segregated memory care, and Dr. Carson describes the Quest Upstream project, which focuses on reframing dementia, promoting well-being, and fostering inclusive environments. You can learn much more about their work at the forefront of dementia care during their preconference session at the 2024 Center for Innovation Conference this November: Find out more about the DEER program here: Learn about Carol Woods Retirement Community here:
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