Elevate Eldercare

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: https://oats.org/ Senior Planet Licensing: https://oats.org/licensing/ Tech Resources for Caregivers: https://seniorplanet.org/caregiving/

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 : CFI2025.org Link to conference agenda: https://cfi2025.org/program/ Link to conference registration: https://cfi2025.org/sign-up/

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:  Simpson Senior | Senior Living in Pennsylvania | Senior Living Community

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: https://movingforwardcoalition.org/

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 Artifacts of Culture Change, 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.  

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: https://marcusengel.com/

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: https://achgroup.org.au/location/healthia-residential-care-home/

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.​

Opportunity can come in many shapes and in unexpected places. Today's guest, Jeff Ash, PhD, 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: https://thegreenhouseproject.org/2025-conference/

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: https://www.einsteinoption.org/ Learn more about the CFI conference in St. Louis this August: https://thegreenhouseproject.org/2025-conference/

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: https://www.sherbrookecommunitycentre.ca/ Read the recent Canadian small-home report: https://www.niageing.ca/small-care-homes

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:https://www.timepassagesfilm.com/ Learn more about Caring Across Generations: https://caringacross.org/

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.

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.

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: https://canadianaudiologist.ca/world-health-organizations-guidelines-on-integrated-care-for-older-people-icope/

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.

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: https://maudesawards.org/ Check out Marilyn's book, “Don't Walk Away”: https://dontwalkaway.net/

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: https://www.vtvnetwork.org/

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: https://www.niageing.ca/small-care-homes

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: https://vecnahealthcare.com/vgo-long-term-care/

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: https://parasolalliance.com/ Subscribe to the “Raising Tech” podcast: https://parasolalliance.com/resource_type/podcast/

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: https://www.belong.org.uk/ Save the date for our annual conference, coming November 11-13: https://thegreenhouseproject.org/2024-conference/

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: https://cypressliving.org/ Read Cypress Living's philosophy on AI: https://cypressliving.org/responsible-use-of-ai-in-aging-services/ Learn about the Nobi smart lamp: https://www.nobi.life/en

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: https://www.prairieeldercare.com/ Go inside the small homes at Sarah Neuman: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFnHGKSYmM0

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: https://thegreenhouseproject.org/2024-conference/ Find out more about the DEER program here: https://www.unr.edu/public-health/centers-and-programs/dementia-engagement-education-and-research-program Learn about Carol Woods Retirement Community here: https://www.carolwoods.org

For Michala Gibson, creating empowering environments for people living with dementia is both a professional and personal mission. As the co-founder of Prairie Elder Care in Overland Park, Kan., Gibson has built a unique farmhouse setting for elders living with Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia — complete with a garden and farm animals. She also serves as a family caregiver for her husband, Jim, who was diagnosed with young onset Alzheimer's just last year. She joins the podcast to discuss her journey through dementia care as both a visionary professional leader and loving family member, providing inspiration for anyone who has walked a similar path. Learn more about Prairie Elder Care: https://www.prairieeldercare.com/ Watch a recent CFI webinar with Michala: https://thegreenhouseproject.org/projects/community-innovations-when-professional-becomes-personal/

As everyone listening knows, there was an election last night — but while another contentious political season comes to a close, the real work of policymaking in Washington and state legislatures is just beginning.  To discuss the policy work that will have the most impact on the eldercare reform space, we invited two of our favorite experts on the show today — Anne Montgomery and Joe Angelelli.  On this week's episode, we'll walk through the top areas where these longtime reform champions see potential for change — no matter what the federal and state governments look like next year. Here's our conversation. Attend our conference in Grand Rapids, Mich. next week: https://thegreenhouseproject.org/2024-conference/ Learn more about the EINSTEIN Option: https://www.graypanthersnyc.org/the-einstein-option

Even the best communities that serve elders with varying levels of care needs often face a logistical problem: moving residents from one physical area to another as their care demands increase. The Towers at Tower Lane, an innovative community in New Haven, Conn., eliminated that problem by creating services that come directly to residents' apartments. No matter what they need, up to and including hospice services, Towers residents can receive it in the same unit they've called home for years. It's a key part of CEO Gus Keach-Longo's vision for care that truly centers the person. He joins the podcast this week to discuss his long career as a champion for older adults — including a habit of asking “why not?” whenever someone tells him that something couldn't be done for elders. Attend our conference in Grand Rapids, Mich. next week: https://thegreenhouseproject.org/2024-conference/ Learn more about the Towers at Tower Lane's Proactive Partner model: https://towerlane.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/proactive_partner_model_brochure_1-28-21_1.pdf

As a child, Freeman Hrabowski had already made a bigger impact on the world than many people do in their entire lives: Inspired by hearing Martin Luther King Jr. speak at his church, young Freeman was arrested for protesting against segregation in Birmingham, Alabama.   But Hrabowski didn't stop there, building an impressive career in academia that culminated with a 30-year tenure as president of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. He joins the podcast this week to discuss his commitment to lifelong learning and growth, and how he has worked to help generations of students make their own marks on the world.   Attend our conference in Grand Rapids, Mich. this November: https://thegreenhouseproject.org/2024-conference/ Register for the last webinar in our 2024 Conference Preview Series — go inside a unique dementia care model on Thursday, October 24: https://thegreenhouseproject.org/projects/community-innovations-when-professional-becomes-personal

Far too often, eldercare reform is presented as a binary choice between mortal adversaries: providers who believe that regulators are out to get them, and regulators who assume every provider is up to no good. The truth is obviously more complicated, and leaders like Jennifer Belden prove that there are ways to protect residents' rights while also working with providers to improve the lives of elders. With a long background in health care, Belden brings both on-the-ground experience and a healthy dose of compassion to her work as director of Michigan's Bureau of Survey and Certification. She joins “Elevate Eldercare” to discuss her role and her ideas for a future where regulators and forward-thinking providers can achieve the shared goal of quality care and quality of life. Attend our conference in Grand Rapids, Mich. this November: https://thegreenhouseproject.org/2024-conference/ Register for the last webinar in our 2024 Conference Preview Series — go inside a unique dementia care model on Thursday, October 24: https://thegreenhouseproject.org/projects/community-innovations-when-professional-becomes-personal

As someone in her 40s living with multiple rare autoimmune diseases, Nancy Stevens doesn't necessarily seem like a typical nursing home resident. But her journey through the long-term care system came with the same frustrations, challenges, and disappointments experienced far too often by people twice her age. Stevens uses her experiences as fuel to help hundreds of fellow nursing home residents around the country, providing support and advocacy through the National Virtual Residents' Council and other organizations fighting for the rights of residents. In honor of Residents' Rights Month, Stevens joins the podcast to discuss her vital work and vision for the future of residential care. Learn more about Three Wishes for Ruby's Residents: https://3wishesproject.org/ Attend our conference in November: https://thegreenhouseproject.org/2024-conference/

In today's episode, Beth Furlong, RN, Community Relations Manager, and Hilary Camino, a certified neurologic music therapist at Sage Living in Jackson, Wyo. Furlong offers a history of the Living Center and its evolution into Sage Living, emphasizing the need for a larger, more home-like space. She describes the collaboration with architects to design a dedicated music and art center. The two talk about the significant impact music therapy has had in their community for the past eight years, including how it has fostered resident engagement and outcomes such as reduced isolation and decreased use of psychotropic meds. Camino's work was showcased in the short film documentary, "Something Changed in the Room," a winner at the Toronto Documentary Feature & Short Film Festival in 2024.She shares her journey and the introduction of music therapy at Sage Living Center, explains the initial skepticism from the hospital staff and the successful pilot program they implemented.  Whatever your notion might be of what a ‘music therapist' does and the value it can bring to each of us, this conversation will inspire you to think and do differently. More about Sage Living: https://www.sageliving.health/ More about Nordoff Robins Music Therapy here: https://eresearch.qmu.ac.uk/bitstream/handle/20.500.12289/4429/4429.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y

Equity in aging is a topic that must be discussed more often in the field of eldercare. Today, Susan Ryan sits down with guest Marvell Adams Jr. to address this topic head on. Together, they unpack the many ways in which he is working to dismantle inequities in aging and create communities of inclusion.  Leveraging his two decades of work in the aging services field, Adams has created the Longevity + Inclusion Alliance Fellows program through his consulting company, W Lawson. He has held leadership positions at eldercare communities and organizations; holds a seat on the Center for Innovation board; and is also CEO of the Caregiver Action Network. This episode examines Adams' mission to foster true diversity in the eldercare space – including diversity of age, gender expression, race, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, and so much more. In an age where simple concepts like acceptance and equity have become political footballs, Adams keeps working toward the inclusive, welcoming future we all deserve. More about Caregiver Action Network HERE. More About the Longevity + Inclusion Alliance Fellows Program HERE.

To be the developer of The Green House Project's BEST LIFE Approach for supporting persons living with dementia, it takes a very special commitment to person-directed living, the dignity of risk taking, and maintaining mobility.  This is certainly the case for today's guest, Anne Ellett. As a certified nurse practitioner and gerontological nurse, a dementia specialist, educator, author and speaker who continues to learn from persons living with dementia, Ellett brings a perspective that few others in the field can.  She sits down with Susan Ryan to talk about her unique journey in dementia care and the moments that have shaped her career, culminating in her recent book, “Getting Dementia Care Right”—written for memory care professionals, individuals living with dementia, and family caregivers.  Ellett offers key highlights from her book, sharing principles that focus on improving quality of life, normalcy, and individualized care. She also talks about the tools and strategies for embracing innovative approaches to support people living with dementia, addressing and overcoming the challenges to produce positive changes in the lives of resident and care staff alike. Find her book HERE. Learn more about Memory Care Support, the company she founded, here: https://memorycaresupport.com

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 pre conference session at the 2024 Center for Innovation Conference this November: https://thegreenhouseproject.org/2024-conference/ Find out more about the DEER program here: https://www.unr.edu/public-health/centers-and-programs/dementia-engagement-education-and-research-program Learn about Carol Woods Retirement Community here: https://www.carolwoods.org

If you've never heard Homeboy Industries, you're just a brief Google search away from discovering an incredible nonprofit that is considered to be the most the most successful gang intervention, rehabilitation, and reentry program in the country.  In this episode, Susan Ryan talks with Homeboy CEO Tom Vozzo, who will also give the opening keynote talk at our upcoming Center for Innovation 2024 conference this November. His book, “The Homeboy Way,” examines the many lessons he's learned as CEO and how to bring the Homeboy philosophy to life as the perfect antidote to the massive tidal currents of social injustice and inequities in the workplace. Vozzo shares his journey from running billion-dollar businesses to leading Homeboy Industries. He talks about the organization's programs, services, and businesses that help to change lives and celebrate each individual's worth.   More information about Vozzo and his book here: https://homeboyindustries.org/thehomeboyway/ A short video of Vozzo talking about Homeboy and his work: https://youtu.be/dOm0LbxHhk4?si=udO6FiWHV4UrJFxI Sign up for the CFI 2024 conference to see Vozzo speak in person: https://thegreenhouseproject.org/2024-conference-agenda/

Biophilia, the desire or tendency to commune with nature, is top of mind for author Julia Hotz, who joins the podcast to talk about her new book “The Connection Cure: The Prescriptive Power of Movement, Nature, Art, Service, and Belonging.”  Hotz explains how the phenomenon of social prescribing, a non-medical approach to improving health by connecting with nature and community resources, is catching on in the United States after taking root in the United Kingdom.  In addition to examining the research behind her book, she offers anecdotes to illustrate the power of nature, the arts, and having purpose, including stories from her global tour to more than 30 countries.   Despite some barriers to adopting social prescribing in the United States, she points to examples of communities where the concept has been successfully implemented. Finally, Hotz talks about what each of us can do to impact our own environments—where we live and where we work—to create solutions that foster better health and wellbeing.   Find her book on Amazon, here: https://www.amazon.com/Connection-Cure-Prescriptive-Movement-Belonging/dp/1668030330 Explore social prescribing resources at www.socialprescribing.co.  Follow Hotz on Instagram, X, and TikTok using the handle @hotzthoughts.

It's a presidential election year in the United States, with politics dominating the headlines from now until November. For many older people living in communal care settings, the ability to vote isn't always guaranteed, even though it's a baseline right that citizens do not lose as they age. Kate Poppenhagen, formerly the long-term care ombudsman for Larimer County, Colo. and currently a Ph.D student in social gerontology, joins the podcast to discuss a new effort to ensure all elders can vote this November, regardless of where they call home — and regardless of the candidates they support. Explore elder voting resources: https://theconsumervoice.org/issues/other-issues-and-resources/voting-rights https://www.eac.gov/voters/register-and-vote-in-your-state Use the following hashtags to share voting resources specific to your state: #LTCvotes, #LTCRightToVote, #RightsRestored Attend our conference in November: https://thegreenhouseproject.org/2024-conference/

The ability to navigate crises is a vital trait for any leader — and so is the ability to emerge from a crisis stronger, bolder, and better than before. Dr. George Everly, a renowned psychologist who helped to pioneer the field of disaster mental health, joins the podcast to discuss the keys to strong, steady leadership both during and after crises — such as the COVID-19 pandemic in eldercare. Everly will lead a two-part masterclass session on the five pillars of transformative, resilient leadership at the Center for Innovation Conference, bringing together the Green House Project and Pioneer Network communities, this November in Grand Rapids, Mich. — click below to learn more! Learn more about George Everly: https://hopkinshumanitarianhealth.org/people/george-s-everly-jr/ Attend our conference in November: https://thegreenhouseproject.org/2024-conference/

So many of the systems in place to support older Americans were created at a time when people didn't expect to live much longer than 65, and the concept of retirement was a handful of years at most. Part of true system reform is acknowledging that elders today and tomorrow aren't the same as they were decades ago, and that we must create new structures and systems to better match our changing demographics. This week, Maryland Department of Aging secretary Carmel Roques joins the podcast to discuss the Longevity-Ready Maryland Initiative – a comprehensive plan aimed at not just improving existing systems, but laying the groundwork for a future where every elder in the state can thrive regardless of their income, savings, or home ZIP code. Learn more about Longevity-Ready Maryland: https://aging.maryland.gov/Pages/LRM.aspx Attend our conference in November: https://thegreenhouseproject.org/2024-conference/

Deke Cateau is the kind of leader that the eldercare community desperately needs more of: committed to creating better environments for elders regardless of the challenges, willing to have nuanced conversations about the need for smarter regulations, and always inspiring others to do more than the status quo. The A.G. Rhodes CEO joins the podcast to discuss his Atlanta-based organization's new household-model community for elders living with dementia, his vision for better alignment between regulations and what stakeholders actually want, and other perspectives from an already illustrious career as a forward-thinking eldercare champion. Learn more about A.G. Rhodes's new memory care community: https://cobbreporter.com/stories/660739317-a-g-rhodes-opens-37-5-million-senior-memory-care-facility-in-marietta  Attend our conference in November: https://thegreenhouseproject.org/2024-conference/

We go down under this week to speak with Angela Raguz, the chief operating and risk officer for HammondCare — a pioneering operator of small-home eldercare cottages in Australia, and one of CFI's partners in the Household Model International Consortium. Angela dives into her 30-year career at the forefront of dignified and radically non-institutional eldercare services and supports, whether it happens in HammondCare's small homes or in communities across the country through Dementia Support Australia, the organization's direct outreach arm for individuals, families, and caregivers. Learn more about HammondCare and Dementia Support Australia: https://www.hammond.com.au/, https://www.dementia.com.au/ Learn more about the consortium: https://thegreenhouseproject.org/press-releases/green-house-project-enters-global-small-home-eldercare-alliance/ Attend our conference in November: https://thegreenhouseproject.org/2024-conference/

Tireless advocate Carrie Leljedal returns to the podcast to discuss her work to bridge the worlds of advocacy for elders and people living with disabilities, which began after her adult son experienced a prolonged lockdown away from family and friends during the pandemic. She turned her anger and frustration into a new career as a champion for essential caregiver legislation, ensuring that families are never again locked away from loved ones — no matter what kind of care community they call home. Learn more about Caregivers for Compromise: https://caregivers4compromise.com/ Read the bill: https://www.congress.gov/118/bills/s4280/BILLS-118s4280is.pdf Learn more about the DCW Strategies Center: https://acl.gov/DCWcenter Attend our conference in November: https://thegreenhouseproject.org/2024-conference/

It'll soon be that time again: We're gathering the Green House Project and Pioneer Network communities together at the Center for Innovation conference, coming to Grand Rapids, Mich. from November 11-13. This week, join CFI team members Susan Ryan, Marla DeVries, and Stacey Bergmann for a preview of the conference, a discussion of why in-person connections are so important at this point in the history of eldercare, and what sets our event apart from others on the conference circuit. Take advantage of low early bird rates on our conference: https://thegreenhouseproject.org/2024-conference/ View the full agenda: https://thegreenhouseproject.org/2024-conference-agenda/

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: https://parasolalliance.com/ Subscribe to the “Raising Tech” podcast: https://parasolalliance.com/resource_type/podcast/ Save the date for our annual conference, coming November 11-13: https://thegreenhouseproject.org/2024-conference/

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: https://www.belong.org.uk/ Save the date for our annual conference, coming November 11-13: https://thegreenhouseproject.org/2024-conference/

With each year that passes, Pride celebrations become more and more mainstream — but in our current political and social climate, LGBTQ+ people of all ages continue to face demonization and stigmatization, a reality that is sometimes magnified for elders. Today in the United States, about half of older LGBTQ+ adults live in states where they can legally face housing discrimination simply for being who they are. Sydney Kopp-Richardson, director of SAGE's National LGBTQ+ Housing Initiative, joins the podcast to discuss her work to build affirming, dignified communities where LGBTQ+ elders can live together in safety, support, and joy. Kopp-Richardson reminds us that while we have a long road ahead toward achieving true equality, we all can continue leading with love — and fighting for what we know is right for people of all ages. Learn more about the SAGE National LGBTQ+ Housing Initiative: https://www.sageusa.org/what-we-do/national-lgbt-housing-initiative-2/ Save the date for our annual conference, coming November 11-13: https://thegreenhouseproject.org/2024-conference/

Just about everyone who works in the eldercare space has heard about the negative effects of ageism in our society, but we can't truly fight age-based discrimination until we look inward — even within our own sector. Jordan Evans, co-founder of Art Against Ageism, joins the podcast to discuss his experiences as a younger person in the eldercare landscape, and his strategies for encouraging everyone to embrace their age — and make the sector welcoming to young, old, and everyone in between. Learn more about Art Against Ageism: https://artagainstageism.org/ Save the date for our annual conference, coming November 11-13: https://thegreenhouseproject.org/2024-conference/

Steve Nygren, visionary founder of the Serenbe community outside of Atlanta, returns to the podcast to discuss his vision for intentional communities where elders can age well — but not because they're designed exclusively for older adults, but for people of all ages to stay active, stay connected, and stay engaged with day-to-day life. If you missed Steve's first appearance on the podcast, check out episode 87, “The Serenbe Story of Biophilic Living,” to learn more about his background as a visionary developer and the tenets of biophilia. Learn more about Serenbe: https://www.serenbe.com/ Save the date for our annual conference, coming November 11-13: https://thegreenhouseproject.org/2024-conference/

nequities in eldercare affect not just the quality of services but the physical spaces themselves: Far too many operators, policymakers, and investors believe that people receiving Medicaid-funded services simply deserve lower-quality, older, more institutional buildings to call home. Kia Weatherspoon, the founder and president of Determined by Design, is determined to change those perceptions. Her firm provides high-quality, inclusive, and thoughtful interior design services to developers of affordable senior living projects and other new infrastructure. Inspired by her esxperiences visiting a brother in prison and serving in the armed forces, Weatherspoon has dedicated her career to building welcoming, meaningful, and dignified spaces for everyone to call home. Learn more about Determined by Design: https://www.determinedbydesign.com/ Save the date for our annual conference, coming November 11-13: https://thegreenhouseproject.org/2024-conference/