Advertise on podcast: Age of Aging

There are a few things we know can help keep our brains healthy as we age like exercise, social connection, learning a new skill, and creative expression. One activity combines all of these, but it might also bring back memories of early childhood embarrassment. In this episode, we explore dance as a tool for healthy aging, and why it may be one of the best things we can do for longevity.   Inside this episode  0:49 – Ballet at Any Age   Dr. Jason Karlawish explains why he began taking Vaganova ballet as an adult and the mental benefits he’s experienced.  4:11 – A Childhood Dance Disaster  Carolyn Hewson recounts her brief and traumatic first experience performing ballet and why she spent decades avoiding dance.  8:09 – The Dementia Prevention Dance Club  After experiencing the physical, cognitive, and social benefits of learning choreography, Carolyn and her fellow moms launch a monthly dance group.   9:40 – What Sets Dance Apart from Other Exercise  Dr. Julia Basso explains how dance engages multiple brain systems at once through movement, memory, rhythm, emotion, creativity, and social connection.  13:27 – Dance Movement Therapy  Dance movement therapist Natasha Goldstein-Levitas explains how therapeutic movement helps people living with dementia connect emotionally, physically, and socially.  17:05 – Dance for Parkinson's Disease  David Leventhal shares the origin story of Dance for PD, a program that began with six participants and grew into an internationally recognized model for movement and community.  20:27 – A Passion for Movement   Emily and Judy Tobey reflect on how Dance for PD became a vital source of physical activity, friendship, and purpose for their husband and father, Charlie.  24:54 – We Are Born to Dance  David Leventhal argues that dance is a fundamental part of human expression and that anyone can benefit, regardless of experience or ability.  29:34 – “There’s No Ceiling”  Dr. Karlawish discusses his favorite aspects of learning dance, including the social connection, the focus it brings him, and the chance to practice something with limitless offerings     Resources available on the episode webpage linked below  Read more about Dr. Julia Basso's Embodied Brain Lab at Virginia Tech.  Explore EngAge from Natasha Goldstein-Levitas.  Learn more about Dance for PD and classes available through the Mark Morris Dance Group.  Watch the documentary Capturing Grace, featuring participants from the Dance for PD program, including Charlie Tobey.  Learn more about the Tango Therapy Project.  Learn about the Time Dances program, a new dance initiative for people living with dementia developed by Dance for PD and TimeSlips.  Book private ballet lessons with Amy Novinski Take adult classes at Philadelphia Ballet. Special thanks to Carolyn Hewson, Dr. Julia Basso, Natasha Goldstein-Levitas, David Leventhal, Emily Tobey, Judy Tobey, Neil Godik, and today's hosts, Dr. Jason Karlawish and J...

At The Age of Aging, we often talk about the importance of physical activity and a healthy diet for brain longevity. However, one of the best things you can do to promote brain health as you age may also seem unlikely: hanging out with your friends.   In this episode, we explore the growing body of research linking social isolation and loneliness to cognitive decline and dementia risk. We’ll hear from older adults navigating loneliness, researchers studying its effects on the brain, and members of a unique housing community designed to help older adults stay connected.  Later, Terrence Casey, Jake Johnson, and Executive Producer Dr. Jason Karlawish reflect on what loneliness looks like in clinical practice, why social isolation can complicate dementia diagnosis and care, and what listeners can do to build stronger social connections throughout their lives.  Inside this episode  5:35 – Social Isolation and Brain Health  Dr. Holly Elser explains why social isolation is considered one of the 14 modifiable dementia risk factors and how social connection may help build cognitive reserve.  7:43 – The Dementia Risk of Isolation  Dr. Barbara Sahakian discusses research from the UK Biobank showing that socially isolated adults had a 26% increased risk of developing dementia.  11:13 – Grief, Purpose, and Feeling Alone  Frank Saar reflects on life after the death of his wife and the challenge of rebuilding a sense of purpose while coping with loneliness.  15:24 – A Community Built for Connection  Residents and staff from Morningside Gardens in New York describe how a Naturally Occurring Retirement Community (NORC) helps older adults stay socially engaged, active, and supported.  18:13 – The Social Lives of Healthy Agers  Philadelphia artist Jean Lindsay shares how decades of participation in community arts programs helped him build friendships and maintain a sense of purpose.  21:40 – “It’s Okay to Ask for Help”  Doris Kitt explains why loneliness is deeply personal and why older adults should seek support when isolation begins to affect their well-being.  24:39 – What Loneliness Looks Like in the Clinic  Jason Karlawish discusses how social isolation often appears early in dementia and why clinicians pay close attention to changes in a person's daily routines and social engagement.  34:13 – Finding Your Community Before You Need It  Jake and Jason discuss why building meaningful social connections earlier in life may be one of the most powerful investments people can make in their long-term brain health.    Resources available on the episode webpage linked below  Check out the 2024 Lancet Commission on Dementia Prevention, Intervention, and Care infographic outlining the 14 modifiable risk factors for dementia.  More on Barbara Sahakian  Read Dr. Sahakian’s book, Brain Boost  Learn more about Morningside Gardens Retirement and Health Services   Learn more about Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities   Sign up for a class at Fleisher Art Memorial Resources for older adults experiencing loneliness and social isol...

What changes when dementia care becomes personal? In this bonus conversation, neuropsychologist Dr. Emma Rhodes sits down with Penn Memory Center Director of Social Work Alison Lynn to talk about caring for her father with Alzheimer’s disease, balancing caregiving with work, and how the experience has changed the way she sees patients and families. Watch the full interview with video on our YouTube channel Listen to the full episode, "Daughter, Doctor, or Both?"  The Age of Aging is a Penn Memory Center production hosted by Producer Jake Johnson and Executive Producer Jason Karlawish. Contributors include Morgann Adams, Terrence Casey, Dalia Elsaid, Emily Largent, and Allison Lynn.  The Age of Aging is made possible by generous support from the Michael Naidoff Communications Hub Fund and Lena Chow.

At the Age of Aging, we often speak with researchers and clinicians who have devoted their careers to understanding dementia and caring for the people living with it. Less often, we hear what happens when dementia becomes personal for those same experts.  In this episode, neuropsychologist Dr. Emma Rhodes shares her experience caring for her father, Jack, following his diagnosis of dementia due to Alzheimer's disease. In conversation with Penn Memory Center Director of Social Work Allison Lynn, Emma reflects on grief, stigma, caregiving, and the challenges of navigating life as both a dementia expert and a daughter. Then, Executive Producer Dr. Jason Karlawish and Editorial Director Terrence Casey unpack some of the interview's most powerful moments, connecting Emma's experience to broader lessons about caregiving and dementia care.  Inside this episode  4:18 – Daughter First, Neuropsychologist Second: Emma Rhodes reflects on the challenge of balancing her professional knowledge with the emotional reality of caring for her father.  7:52 – The Uncanny and Ambiguous Loss: Jason Karlawish discusses the profound grief family caregivers experience when a loved one is simultaneously familiar and changed by dementia.  12:45 – When Professional Calm Breaks Down: Jason shares a candid story about losing his composure while trying to help his father manage his finances.  16:03 – Dementia Stigma Firsthand: Emma describes how caring for her father revealed just how difficult and often unwelcoming the world can be for people living with cognitive impairment.  19:48 – Clinicians as Caregivers: Jason and Terrence explore why more healthcare professionals are speaking openly about their personal experiences with dementia in their own families.  28:15 – The Hidden Work of Caregiving: Emma discusses the emotional, logistical, and physical effort required to attend clinic visits, participate in research, and manage day-to-day care.  32:48 – “How Are You Doing?” Jason explains why one of the most important questions a clinician can ask a caregiver is also one of the simplest.  39:26 – “Our Families Are Your Patients Too”: Jason reflects on why healthcare systems must better recognize and support family caregivers as essential partners in dementia care.  Resources available on the episode webpage linked below  Watch the full interview with Dr. Emma Rhodes and Allison Lynn on the Penn Memory Center YouTube channel  Find caregiver support groups through Penn Memory Center   Explore Medicare's GUIDE program  Special thanks to Emma Rhodes, PhD, Allison Lynn, LCSW as well as today's co-hosts, Terrence Casey and Jason Karlawish, MD.  The Age of Aging is a Penn Memory Center production hosted by Producer Jake Johnson and Executive Producer Jason Karlawish. Contributors include Morgann Adams, Terrence Casey, Dalia Elsaid, Emily Largent, and Allison Lynn.  The Age of Aging is made possible by generous support from the Michael Naidoff Communications Hub Fund and Lena Chow.

What makes a house a home? And what happens when that home no longer works for the person living in it? In this episode, we explore the emotional and practical challenges of downsizing and moving later in life — from letting go of decades of possessions to navigating dementia, family dynamics, and the fear of what comes next.  Inside this episode:  1:06 – Deconstructing Home: Dr. Jason Karlawish explores what makes a home more than just four walls and why dementia can change the way someone experiences their environment.  8:24 – Professional Downsizers: Move managers Susan Blumenfeld and Charlotte Schutzman explain the emotional and logistical challenges of helping older adults decide what stays, what goes, and what their possessions are really worth.  13:19 – 10x Harder: Kristi Mabe shares what it was like to move her own mother into assisted living, and why helping a family member can be much harder than helping a client.  20:56 – “It’s the People, It’s Not the Place”: Mary Ellen Weber shares how moving to a retirement community helped her and her husband find connection, independence, and a richer daily life.  25:00 – Tied to the Mast of Aging in Place: Dr. Karlawish discusses the risks of being too committed to living in one place when a home becomes isolating or no longer meets someone’s needs.  36:36 – Coming Home: Jake and Dr. Karlawish turn to The Odyssey to consider what really makes a place home.  Resources available on the episode webpage linked below  Learn more about New Roots Move Management  Learn more about All Moving Matters  Find a local move management company   Special thanks this episode to Kristi Mabe, Charlotte Schutzman, Susan Blumenfeld, and Mary Ellen Weber, as well as today’s co-host, Jason Karlawish, MD.  The Age of Aging is a Penn Memory Center production hosted by Producer Jake Johnson and Executive Producer Jason Karlawish. Contributors include Morgann Adams, Terrence Casey, Dalia Elsaid, Emily Largent, and Allison Lynn.  The Age of Aging is made possible by generous support from the Michael Naidoff Communications Hub Fund.

Welcome to our annual summer bonus episode of the Age of Aging, where our Penn Memory Center experts reflect on the latest research from the annual Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC). On today’s episode, Age of Aging Executive Producer and PMC Co-Director Dr. Jason Karlawish sat down with Co-Director Dr. David Wolk and Dr. Chris Brown to unpack their biggest takeaways from their time in London. They discuss everything from new blood-based biomarkers to the latest data on anti-amyloid and tau-targeting therapies as well as what the future of Alzheimer’s treatment may look like.   The Age of Aging will return for Season 6 in September, so please make sure you’re subscribed wherever you get your podcasts, and we’ll see you soon.   Inside this episode:  2:40 – How AAIC Has Changed: The group compares this year's meeting to AAIC 2017 and discusses how the science has shifted to a more clinical focus.  9:26 – Predicting Brain Health: Dr. Brown and Dr. Wolk discuss where p-tau 217 stands as a biomarker as well as new markers like neuronal pentraxin (NPTX) for measuring synaptic health beyond amyloid and tau.   22:42 – The Blood-Brain Barrier: The clinicians provide an update on the two anti-amyloid therapies currently available as well as discuss the brain "shuttle" technology, which appears to significantly improve amyloid clearance and safety.  29:59 – Tau has its Moment: Results from the CELIA antisense oligonucleotide study show a "Goldilocks dose" effect, plus a look at a negative Lilly tau-lowering trial.   35:25 – Closing Highlights & What’s Next: Jason spotlights the LiBBY study, testing a THC/CBD combination for agitation in advanced dementia, before the group previews next year's AAIC 2027 meeting in Chicago.    Resources available on the episode webpage linked below   Learn more about the Alzheimer’s Association and AAIC  Study: "Predicting Risk of Cognitive Impairment With Alzheimer Disease Blood Biomarkers” (JAMA)  Study: “Clinicopathologic Evaluation of Amyloid Clearance in Alzheimer Disease” (JAMA)  “Amyloid removal may reduce tau buildup and neurodegeneration in Alzheimer’s disease” (Penn Medicine)  Press release on Phase 2 of the CELIA Study  Press release on LiBBY Trial  Special thanks this episode to Jason Karlawish, MD, David Wolk, MD, and Christopher Brown, MD, PhD.  If this episode, or another episode, has resonated with you, please subscribe, leave us a review, or share it with somebody who would appreciate it. This makes a real difference in helping others find the show. And if you have a topic you’d like to hear, email us at [email protected].  The Age of Aging is a Penn Memory Center production, hosted by Editorial Director Terrence Casey and Producer Jake Johnson. Contributors include Morgann Adams, Dalia Elsaid, Jason Karlawish, Emily Largent, Alison Lynn, and Mischa Norton.   The show is made possible by generous support from the Michael Naidoff Communications Hub Fund and Lena Chow.

At the Age of Aging, we are sometimes lucky enough to have too many great stories to fit into a single podcast episode. We ran into this fortunate circumstance last season with our episode, “Ambiguous Loss,” which shared the stories of two caregivers grappling with their loved one’s decline from dementia. On today's mid-summer bonus episode, we share a third story we recorded that didn’t make the cut – not because it wasn't good enough, but because it was too complete to be a piece of something else.   Margo Woodacre is an author, teacher, former state senator, and for eight years, the primary caregiver for her husband, Ernie, who was living with Alzheimer's. In this standalone conversation, Woodacre reflects on caregiving, grief, identity, and the slow work of asking, “Who am I now?” that followed the loss of Ernie.    Inside this episode:  2:02 – Becoming a Caregiver: Woodacre reflects on the early signs of Ernie’s Alzheimer’s disease, the fear that followed his diagnosis, and the emotional challenge of caring for someone whose personality was beginning to change.  6:18 – Learning to Dance in the Rain: After a difficult moment in Ernie’s illness, Woodacre shares how a neighbor’s advice helped her reframe caregiving, change her own responses, and meet Ernie where he was. In doing so, she learned how to reduce conflict, preserve connection, and keep finding meaningful moments with him.  10:26 – Delayed Grief: Woodacre reflects on the surprising sense of relief that followed Ernie’s passing, the administrative work of closing a life, and the delayed grief that emerged once the busyness faded.  13:49 – Losing and Reclaiming Identity: After years of caregiving, Woodacre found herself asking who she was without Ernie and without the caregiving role that had shaped her daily life. She discusses journaling, meditation, teaching, politics, support groups, and solo travel as part of her path back to herself.  16:20 – Traveling Alone Again: Woodacre shares the story of her first solo trip after Ernie’s death, a dude ranch vacation that began in loneliness and became a turning point in rebuilding confidence, openness, and independence.  19:08 – Advice for Grieving Caregivers: Woodacre offers guidance for people beginning the grieving process: take your time, allow yourself to grieve, but don’t stay so long in pain that you miss the next lesson life may still have to offer.    Resources available on the episode webpage linked below   Learn more about Margo Woodacre  Read more about Woodacre’s essay, “Journey Back to Self: Life After Caregiving,” on Making Sense of Alzheimer’s  Read Woodacre’s previous book, I’ll Miss You Too: The Off-to-College Guide for Parents and Students  Learn more about Woodacre’s forthcoming book, Crossroads: Reclaiming Identity When Life Changes Everything, scheduled for release in early fall  Special thanks this episode to Margot Woodacre for sharing her story with us.  If this episode, or another episode, has resonated with you, please subscribe, leave us a review, or share it with somebody who would appreciate it. This makes a real difference in helping others find the show. And if you have a topic you’d like to hear, email us at [email protected].  The Age of Aging is a Penn Memory Center production, hosted by Editorial Director Terrence Casey and Producer Jake Johnson. Contributors include Dalia Elsaid, Jason Karlawish, Emily Largent, Alis...

At The Age of Aging, we know that the stories we tell about dementia shape the perceptions, resources, and, ultimately, the lived experience of people with the condition. As such, it is our number one priority to understand what narratives serve an aging population and which ones are better left in the past.   For the Season 5 finale, our team reflects on a special report from Hastings Center for Bioethics, Living with Dementia: Learning from Cultural Narratives of Aging Societies. Through a series of personal audio essays, some familiar voices from this season explore how cultural narratives influence the lived experience of dementia—and how new stories might help us build a more compassionate, creative, and supportive future.  Inside this episode:  4:21 – Managing Dependence: Dr. Jason Karlawish discusses Mercer Gary's essay on assistive technologies in dementia care. He explores the tension between fears of technological dependence and hopes that technology can eliminate dependence altogether.  11:47 – Creativity, Collaboration, and Dementia: Terrence Casey, editorial director and co-host of The Age of Aging, reflects on Julia Henderson's essay examining participatory arts programs and how projects like Anne Basting's Penelope Project challenge conventional narratives about dementia.  16:19 – Learning from History: Dr. Emily Largent discusses Jesse Ballenger's essay on the history of dementia. She explores how modern anxieties about cognitive decline are shaped by changing ideas about identity, aging, and selfhood.  20:15 – New Narratives for a More Just Future: Producer and Co-Host Jake Johnson examines how cultural narratives influence dementia care and why imagining ourselves into the lives of people living with dementia and caregivers is essential to meaningful social change.  25:34 – Rethinking Housing and Care: Dr. Holly Elser discusses supportive housing as a promising model for people living with dementia, offering an alternative to the traditional divide between aging in place and institutional care.  28:14 – Season 5 Reflections: Dr. Jason Karlawish, Jake Johnson, and Terrence Casey discuss their favorite episodes from the season, lessons learned from reporting on aging and dementia, and what listeners can expect this summer and in Season 6.  Resources available on the episode webpage linked below  Use offer code “AGING” to get 50% off your copy of Dementia Care’s Radical New Era  Read the essays featured in the special report, Living with Dementia: Learning from Cultural Narratives of Aging Societies from the Hastings Center for Bioethics  Read the Pope Leo’s Magnifica Humanitas: On Safeguarding the Human Person in the Time of Artificial Intelligence  Learn more about Anne Basting’s Penelope Project  Explore Penn Memory Center creative engagement programs  Special thanks this episode to Jason Karlawish, MD, Emily Largent, PhD, JD, RN, Jake Johnson, and Holly Elser, MD, PhD, MPH.  The Age of Aging is a Penn Memory Center production, hosted by Editorial Director Terrence Casey and Producer Jake Johnson. Contributors include Dalia El Said, Jason Karlawish, Emily Largent, Alison Lynnn, and Morgann Adams.  The show is made possible by generous support from the Michael Naidoff Communications Hub Fund and Lena Chao.  Caring for an aging loved...

The air around us is invisible, but its effects on the brain are becoming harder to ignore. Research now links long-term exposure to air pollution with increased Alzheimer's pathology, cognitive decline, and greater dementia risk, and older adults face the greatest threat.  On this episode of The Age of Aging, we go inside that science. Dr. Eddie Lee shares new findings from the University of Pennsylvania connecting lifetime particulate matter exposure to amyloid and tau buildup in the brain. Toxicologists, lung health experts, and clean air advocates explain what air pollution actually is, why Philadelphia's air quality ranks among the most concerning of major American cities, and what individuals and communities can do to protect themselves. And Dr. Holly Elser joins host Terrence Casey to explore the broader relationship between environment, place, and brain health — and why the fight for clean air is also a fight for healthy aging.   Inside this episode:  5:45 – Air Pollution and Alzheimer’s Disease: Dr. Eddie Lee explains how his team linked lifetime exposure to particulate air pollution with increased amyloid and tau pathology in the brain.  9:27 – What Is Air Pollution?: Dr. Trevor Penning and Bev Stewart break down the science of particulate matter, ozone, and toxic gases, and explain why older adults are particularly susceptible to their harmful effects.  13:06 – Philly’s Air Quality: Clean Air Council advocate Russell Zerbo discusses the biggest contributors to air pollution in Philadelphia, including transportation, industry, and urban density, and what local efforts are underway to improve air quality.  15:01 – Protecting Yourself: Experts share practical steps individuals can take to reduce exposure to poor air quality, from tracking the Air Quality Index and wearing N95 masks to improving indoor air filtration.  22:08 – Environment and Brain Health: Dr. Holly Elser joins Terrence Casey to discuss the emerging science connecting environmental exposures and dementia risk, the importance of policy solutions, and how climate and place shape healthy aging.    Resources available on the episode webpage linked below  Use offer code “AGING” to get 50% off your copy of Dementia Care’s Radical New Era  Read Dr. Lee’s full study  Learn more about the Center of Excellence in Environmental Toxicology  Visit the American Lung Association’s website  Learn more about the Clean Air Council  Check out Clean Air Council’s crowdsourced air quality map  Learn more about the “Stop Trashing Our Air Act” in Philadelphia City Council   Track local air quality with AirNow.gov  Explore Philadelphia’s air quality monitoring network    Special thanks this episode to Eddie Lee, MD, PhD, Trevor Penning, PhD, Russell Zerbo, Bev Stewart, and Holly Elser, MD, PhD, MPH.  The Age of Aging is a Penn Memory Center production, hosted by Editorial Director Terrence Casey and Producer Jake Johnson, in partnership with the Penn FTD Center, the Penn Institute on Aging, and Penn’s Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center. Contri...

A longer lifespan is one of humanity’s greatest achievements. It also raises urgent questions about caregiving, financial security, and how we prepare for life after 65. On this episode of The Age of Aging, we take a look at the financial challenges that come with living longer.  First, Terrence Casey moderates a wide-ranging conversation with Surya Kolluri of the TIAA Institute and Dr. Mary Naylor of Penn Nursing’s NewCourtland Center for Transitions and Health about the financial realities of longevity in America. Later in the episode, financial experts Bode Hennegan and Christine Moriarty share practical strategies for planning ahead, avoiding common financial mistakes, and building long-term stability.  Inside this episode:   3:15 – A Different Life Structure: Surya Kolluri and Mary Naylor discuss the financial implications of an extended lifespan and why it will require fundamental changes on individual and societal level.  18:17 – The Sandwich Generation: Kolluri and Dr. Naylor Examine the growing pressures facing adults caring for both children and aging parents, and the policies needed to support them.  29:32 – 5 Financial Pitfalls: Bode Hennegan shares her top 5 most common pitfalls she sees older adults make when planning for later life.  35:24 – Money Peace: Christine Moriarty gives her top 5 financial planning tips for older adults.  41:24 – Start Saving and Communicating: Terrence Casey and Jake Johnson wrap up the episode by sharing the statistics that stayed with them most, and the changes they plan to make in their own lives.     Resources available on the episode webpage linked below  Visit the TIAA Institute’s website  Visit the NewCourtland Center for Transitions and Health’s website  More information on Surya Kolluri  More information on Mary Naylor   Learn more about Life Managers and Associates  Learn more about Money Peace    Special thanks this episode to Surya Kolluri, Mary D. Naylor, PhD, RN, FAAN, Bode Hennegan, and Christine Moriarty  The Age of Aging is a Penn Memory Center production, hosted by Editorial Director Terrence Casey and Producer Jake Johnson, in partnership with the Penn FTD Center, the Penn Institute on Aging, and Penn’s Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center. Contributors include Dalia Elsaid, Jason Karlawish, Emily Largent, and Alison Lynn.  The show is made possible by generous support from the Michael Naidoff Communications Hub Fund.  Caring for an aging loved one isn’t easy — but you don’t have to do it alone. At Rothkoff Law Group, families across New Jersey and Pennsylvania receive guidance through every stage of the aging journey. Their team of elder care attorneys, geriatric care coordinators, and public benefits specialists advocate for your loved one’s well-being and your peace of mind.  Rothkoff Law Group — your partner in elder care advocacy and senior care planning every step of the way. Visit RothkoffLaw.com for more information.

The history of dementia research is a story of scientific progress stalled and derailed for nearly a century. 120 years ago, psychiatrist Alois Alzheimer made a groundbreaking discovery in the brain of a 55-year-old woman named Auguste Deter. Unfortunately, social and political turmoil would mean that his findings would not be widely understood until the end of the 20th century.   On this episode of The Age of Aging, Terrence Casey and Dr. Jason Karlawish reflect on Alzheimer’s discovery as well as the work of his colleague Oskar Fischer — a scientist on par with if not more consequential than Alzheimer in understanding the neuropathology of dementia — whose work was cut short by antisemitism and Nazi persecution. Together, they uncover how that finding was almost swallowed by the ideologies, politics, and global conflicts of the early 20th century — and the uncomfortable parallels between that time and our current moment.  Inside this episode:   0:48 – The First Case: Terrence Casey introduces the story of Auguste Deter, whose 1901 admission to a Frankfurt asylum would become the foundation of modern Alzheimer’s research.  4:34 – A Disease Without a Name: Why Deter’s symptoms didn’t fit existing diagnoses and how Alzheimer’s early observations challenged assumptions about aging and “senility.”  13:27 – A Revolutionary Idea: In 1911, Alzheimer proposed that “senile” and “presenile” dementia might be the same disease.  17:31 – Science Interrupted: How World War I, economic collapse, and political upheaval derailed progress in dementia research across Europe.  19:10 – The Forgotten Pioneer: How the contributions of Oskar Fischer to dementia research were nearly erased by antisemitism and Nazi persecution.  23:01 – The “Dark Ages” of Dementia: Why much of the 20th century viewed dementia as inevitable aging rather than disease.  30:48 – Lessons for Today: Why scientific progress depends on social, political, and economic stability — and what current global trends could mean for the future of dementia research.  32:41 – Rediscovery and Progress: The late 20th-century revival of Alzheimer’s research, including advances in diagnosis, biomarkers, and treatment.    Resources available on the episode webpage linked below  Learn more about the life and work of Alois Alzheimer   More information on the story of Alzheimer and Auguste Deter (PBS)  Read The Problem of Alzheimer's: How Science, Culture, and Politics Turned a Rare Disease into a Crisis and What We Can Do About It by Dr. Jason Karlawish  “Oskar Fischer and the study of dementia,” by Michel Goedert (National Library of Medicine)     Special thanks this episode to Jason Karlawish, MD.  The Age of Aging is a Penn Memory Center production, hosted by Editorial Director Terrence Casey and Producer Jake Johnson, in partnership with the Penn FTD Center, the Penn Institute on Aging, and Penn’s Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center. Contributors include Dalia Elsaid, Jason Karlawish, Emily Largent, and Alison Lynn.  The show is made possible by generous support from the Michael Naidoff Communications Hub Fund.  Caring for an aging loved one isn’t easy — but you don’t have to do it alone. At Rothkoff Law Group, families across New Jersey and Pennsylvania receive guidance through every stage of the aging journey. Their team o...

What does it mean to age well? For soprano Lucy Shelton, the answer may lie in music itself. At 82, Shelton recently made her debut at the Metropolitan Opera — performing in the world premiere of Innocence, a Finnish opera about a school shooting, sung in nine languages. On this episode of The Age of Aging, Dr. Jason Karlawish sits down with Shelton to explore her remarkable career, the relationship between music and the aging mind, and what it means to keep creating — and performing — well into the eighth decade of life.   Inside this episode:  0:00 – Shepherd on the Rock: Dr. Karlawish introduces Lucy Shelton with her recording of "Shepherd on the Rock" by Franz Schubert and shares why he wanted to interview her.  4:17 – Met Opera Debut at 82: Shelton and Dr. Karlawish discuss her debut at the Metropolitan Opera in Innocence, a Finnish opera performed in nine languages.  9:08 – A Musical Life: Shelton reflects on growing up in a musical family, discovering her voice, and building a career as a singer — not an opera singer.  15:23 – Singer vs. Opera Singer: Shelton explains what sets her apart from traditional opera singers, including the vocal techniques that have allowed her to keep performing into her eighties.  20:56 – Art Meets Life in Lucidity: Shelton describes performing Lucidity, a chamber opera written for her about a singer living with dementia — and what it meant to hold her score on stage, not just as a prop, but out of personal necessity.  26:34 – Bringing Lucidity to Philadelphia: Dr. Karlawish and Shelton discuss the possibility of bringing the opera to Philadelphia.  27:26– Music, Memory, and the Mind: Dr. Karlawish and Terrence Casey explore the connection between music and the aging brain, including PMC's partnership in the Community Voices Choir — a collaboration welcoming adults of all levels of cognition through music.  Resources available on the episode webpage linked below  Review of “Innocence,” in The Wall Street Journal   The New York Times Review of “Innocence.”  More information on “Innocence.” (The New York Times)  Visit Lucy Shelton’s website  Learn more about Shelton’s previous opera, “Lucidity.” (NPR)  Learn more about sprechstimme (Britannica)  More information on the Community Voices Choir  What Is the Association Between Music-Related Leisure Activities and Dementia Risk? A Cohort Study (International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry)  Longitudinal effects of choir singing on aging cognition and wellbeing: a two-year follow-up study (Frontiers in Human Neuroscience)  Special thanks this episode to Jason Karlawish, MD, and Lucy Shelton.   The Age of Aging is a Penn Memory Center production hosted by Editorial Director Terr...

Exercise is one of the greatest things we can do for longevity and, according to Dr. Art Kramer, it’s never too late to start. On this episode of The Age of Aging, we look at one of the most accessible forms of exercise: running. We hear from competitive older runners about how they started, what keeps them going, and what running has given them over time.    Inside this episode:  4:13 – “Make Way for the Masters”: Masters athlete and Penn Relays coordinator Anthony Pugliese shares what makes the masters events at the Penn Relays so meaningful.  8:28 – Healthier Minds: Dr. Art Kramer explores how exercise benefits brain structure and function.  13:16 – A Half Hour Vacation: Masters runners reflect on how running helps them manage stress and clear their minds.  18:39 – Take it Slow: Bill McKenna and Anthony Pugliese offer advice for getting started with running and finding local track and field clubs.  Resources available on the episode webpage linked below  More information on Emily Largent   Visit the Penn Relays website  About the masters events at the Penn Relays  More information on Dr. Art Kramer  Study on Olga Kotelko’s brain  Fitness Effects on the Cognitive Function of Older Adults: A Meta-Analytic Study (Sage Journals)  Aerobic Exercise Training Increases Brain Volume in Aging Humans (The Journals of Gerontology)  Mental Health Benefits of Running (WebMD)  Visit Greater Philadelphia Track Club website  Learn more about track clubs and meets at usatf.org  Special thanks this episode to Emily Largent, PhD, JD, RN, Anthony Pugliese, Guy DeLillio, Art Kramer, PhD, Tom Jennings, Lauren Siegel, Claudia Simpson, Delvin Dinkins, and Bill McKenna.  The Age of Aging is a Penn Memory Center production hosted by Editorial Director Terrence Casey and Producer Jake Johnson, in partnership with the Penn FTD Center, the Penn Institute on Aging, and Penn’s Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center. Contributors include Dalia Elsaid, Jason Karlawish, Emily Largent, and Alison Lynn.  The Age of Aging is made possible by generous support from the Michael Naidoff Communications Hub fund.  Caring for an aging loved one isn’t easy — but you don’t have to do it alone. At Rothkoff Law Group, we guide families across New Jersey and Pennsylvania through every stage of your aging journey. Our team of elder care attorneys, geriatric care coordinators, and public benefits specialists advocate for your loved one’s well-being and your peace of mind. Rothkoff Law Group — your partner in advocacy and senior care planning, every step of the way. Visit RothkoffLaw.com.

How do you grieve someone who is still standing in front of you? In this episode, we go beyond the medical diagnosis to explore Ambiguous Loss, the “long goodbye” that defines the dementia experience. It is a journey of grieving every day while the person you love is still living.    Inside this episode:  2:59 – "I Want to Go Home": Dr. Jason Karlawish uses poetry to dissect a fading mind.  12:01 – From Partner to Solo Parent: Eileen Ware’s journey with her husband Steve’s early-onset Alzheimer’s.  20:15 – Finding the Words: Dr. Cindy Weinstein on reclaiming her relationship with her father while grieving for 15 years.  31:30 – The Dual Process Model: Alison Lynn on why mourning in dementia is never linear.  Resources available on the episode webpage linked below  Learn more about Pauline Boss and ambiguous loss (Cleveland Clinic)  Read Dr. Karlawish’s poem, “Ambiguous Loss” in JAMA.  Learn more about Dr. Cindy Weinstein and her memoir, Finding the Right Words: A Story of Literature, Grief and the Brain  More information on Alison Lynn  More information on PMC’s support groups  The excruciating grief of watching a spouse become a stranger | STAT Special thanks this episode to Jason Karlawish, MD, Eileen Ware, Cindy Weinstein, PhD, and Alison Lynn, MSW, LCSW.  The Age of Aging is a Penn Memory Center production hosted by Editorial Director Terrence Casey and Producer Jake Johnson, in partnership with the Penn FTD Center, the Penn Institute on Aging, and Penn’s Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center. Contributors include Dalia Elsaid, Jason Karlawish, Emily Largent, and Alison Lynn.  The Age of Aging is made possible by generous support from the Michael Naidoff Communications Hub fund.  Caring for an aging loved one isn’t easy — but you don’t have to do it alone. At Rothkoff Law Group, we guide families across New Jersey and Pennsylvania through every stage of your aging journey. Our team of elder care attorneys, geriatric care coordinators, and public benefits specialists advocate for your loved one’s well-being and your peace of mind. Rothkoff Law Group — your partner in advocacy and senior care planning, every step of the way. Visit RothkoffLaw.com.

Nearly a year and a half ago, we released the Season 2 episode “In Sickness and in Health,” which explored new anti-amyloid therapies for Alzheimer’s disease, lecanemab and donanemab, known commercially as Leqembi and Kisunla.  After more than three years of lecanemab and nearly two years of donanemab in clinical use, how do patients, caregivers, and clinicians view these treatments today?  In this episode of The Age of Aging, we revisit the therapies reshaping Alzheimer’s care and hear from those experiencing them firsthand.  Inside this episode  Patients receiving anti amyloid therapy share reflections on treatment, uncertainty, and hope.  Dr. Justin Clapp discusses research on how patients, caregivers, and clinicians understand these therapies.  Dr. Kyra O’Brien reflects on prescribing the treatments and changes within clinical practice.  Dr. Jason Karlawish shares perspectives from patient conversations and clinical care.  Resources available on the episode webpage linked below  Listen to “In Sickness and in Health”  Learn more about Justin Clapp  Learn more about Kyra O’Brien  More information on anti-amyloid therapies  Special thanks this episode to Dave and Evelyn, Justin Clapp, PhD, MPH, Kyra O’Brien, MD, Joanne and Bruce Thomas, Sandy Shulan, and Jason Karlawish, MD.  The Age of Aging is a Penn Memory Center production hosted by Editorial Director Terrence Casey and Producer Jake Johnson, in partnership with the Penn FTD Center, the Penn Institute on Aging, and Penn’s Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center. Contributors include Dalia Elsaid, Jason Karlawish, Emily Largent, and Alison Lynn.  The Age of Aging is made possible by generous support from the Michael Naidoff Communications Hub fund.  Caring for an aging loved one isn’t easy — but you don’t have to do it alone. At Rothkoff Law Group, we guide families across New Jersey and Pennsylvania through every stage of your aging journey. Our team of elder care attorneys, geriatric care coordinators, and public benefits specialists advocate for your loved one’s well-being and your peace of mind. Rothkoff Law Group — your partner in advocacy and senior care planning, every step of the way. Visit RothkoffLaw.com.