Join host Nancy Griffin on the Glowing Older podcast as sheinterviews Tara Ballman, Executive Director of the National Aging in Place Council. Discover Tara's journey from the music industry to becoming a leading advocate for aging in place, and learn about the innovative solutions and resources available to support older adults in living independently and comfortably wherever they call home.

About Tara

Tara Ballman is a nationally recognized aging-in-place expert who is passionate about connecting and supporting professionals serving older adults. She is an author of three books on financial retirement issues, two books on aging in place issues, and conference speaker addressing aging-in place topics. Tara currently serves as the Executive Director of the National Aging in Place Council and the Aging-in-Place Business Development Manager at Longbridge Financial.

For years, Tara and her family struggled through theevolving stages of her father’s declining health. Unexpected illnesses, unforeseen situations, and a fear of the future was their reality, with so many questions and nowhere to turn. After her father passed, she had a desire to help other families navigate through the stages of aging and proactively plan for future needs, regardless of what life throws at them.

Key Takeaways

• The National Aging in Place Council (NAIPC) is focused on education, collaboration and advocacy. The nonprofit trade association provides support and resources for the five pillars of aging: housing, healthcare, finance, transportation, and social engagement.
• The CDC defines aging in place as the ability to live safely, independently, and comfortably in one's own home and community, regardless of age, income, or ability. NAIPC expands the definition to “home is where you lay your head,” which includes senior living communities and memory care.
• Seventy percent of Americans are going to need long-term care but do not have a plan in place. Proactive planning provides a vast number of options where in crisis situations options are limited.
• Advances in age-tech allow older adults to stay safe in their homes longer and provide peace of mind for adult children. Remote sensors detect changes in movement patterns or a fall, smart appliances make activities of daily living safer. Wearables and even newfangled toilets can read vitals like heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen levels.

In this episode of the Glowing Older podcast, host NancyGriffin interviews Corinne Auman, Ph.D., a gerontologist and author of 'Keenagers'. They discuss the importance of reshaping the narrative around aging, emphasizing the benefits and opportunities that come with growing older. Corinne introduces the concept of 'keenagers', individuals who are active and engaged in life, and highlights the need for positive language in discussions about aging. The conversation also touches on countering ageism, navigating the challenges of the sandwich generation, and the importance of life design in planning for older adulthood.

About Corinne

Corinne Auman, Ph.D., is a developmental psychologist,keynote speaker, and the founder of Choice Care Navigators, a leading consultancy dedicated to empowering seniors and their families as they navigate the complexities of aging and senior healthcare. Choice Care Navigators offers personalized guidance, family mediation, and expert education to help individuals and organizations rethink aging, plan effectively, and advocate confidently.

Prior to founding her consultancy, Dr. Auman served as a college professor for over a decade, specializing in adulthood and aging. She developed and taught courses that inspired students to explore the complexities of lifespan development and intergenerational relationships. Her academic expertise and passion for societal change laid the foundation for her current work in geriatric care management and anti-ageism advocacy.

Dr. Auman is the author of Keenagers: Telling a New Story About Aging, a book that reframes aging as a vibrant and opportunity-filled phase of life. As a sought-after keynote speaker, she has delivered transformative talks to organizations, universities, and community groups,inspiring audiences to challenge ageist narratives and create more inclusive environments for people of all ages.

Key Takeaways

• Keenagers are active, engaged older adults who defystereotypes.
• The narrative around aging is often negative and needs to change. Getting older has benefits and challenges like every other stage of life.
• Countering ageism starts with individual mindset changes. Become aware of your internal dialogue.
• People often don't identify as caregivers. Recognizing the toll caregiving can take is the first step to “wearing your own oxygen mask first.” A care manager can help you navigate the process and get everybody on the same page.
• Life design involves planning for emotional, social, and intellectual needs in older adulthood. When planning for the “keen-ager years,” it is important to design your life. Ask what gives your life meaning.
• Everyone needs a purpose or reason to get out of bed in retirement. Social connections are vital for mental and emotional well-being as we age, and learning new things forms new neural connections.

Join host Nancy Griffin as she interviews Janet Engel, VP ofClinical Strategy and Engagement at Dwell Safe, about the latest innovations in aging well. Discover how technology and home modifications are helping older adults live safely and comfortably in their homes.

About Janet

Janet Engel, MOT/L, CAPS, ECHM is the VP of Clinical Strategy and Engagement at DwellSafe, where she leverages AI and clinical expertise to democratize home safety modifications for aging in place. An expert in Aging in Place and Universal Design, Janet leads initiatives to revolutionize home safety assessments and foster strategic partnerships in the industry.

With a deep understanding of the Baby Boomer demographic, Janet helps businesses tailor their strategies to better connect with and serve this important market. Her expertise extends to messaging specialization, improving communication and market share for companies focused on this consumer group.

Janet is the creator and host of the podcast "Home Designs for Life," which ranks in the top 10% globally. Through this platform, she offers valuable insights and discusses current trends related to aging in place, effective consumer communication, and innovative home safety solutions.

Passionate about empowering individuals to live independently as they age, Janet is committed to driving meaningful conversations and innovations in her field. At DwellSafe, she leverages her extensive background as an occupational therapist, specializing in home health care for older adults, to ensure that everyone can age safely and comfortably in their own homes.

Janet's unique blend of clinical knowledge, technologyexpertise, and consumer insight positions her at the forefront of the aging-in-place movement, where she continues to push the boundaries of what's possible in-home health solutions.

Key Takeaways

• Planning early for aging in place is essential to reduce fall risks. Home hazards are responsible for half to two-thirds of all falls in people age 65 and older.
• Dwell Safe is a home safety platform that combinesAI with clinical expertise to assess home safety. Technology scans individual rooms in a home and gives a fall risk score for the person and the environment. An occupational therapist reviews the video footage and makes tailored home safety recommendations.
• From Instacart to smart home technologies like automated window treatments, technology is key to supporting aging in place. Technology makes life more comfortable in the home and reduces fall risk.
• Vision is the first system that deteriorates with the aging process — starting as early as age 35 or 40. Smart solutions include creating color contrast in your environment — between walls, furniture and flooring, or installing motion sensor lighting and smart appliances in your home.
• Age-tech friendly kitchen appliances allow older adults to prepare meals safely. The kitchen presents significant hazards. You can burn yourself, fall, or cutyourself with sharp objects.
• An induction stove is an efficient way of cooking and eliminates the risk for burns and fires. A Smart Refrigerators can tell us if food has gone spoiled, which is important as our taste sense of smell deteriorates. Eating spoiled food is a common reason why older adults end up in the hospital.
• Universal design has broad general appeal. It is for everyone, regardless of height, weight, gender, and strength. Lever handles, motion sensor faucets and lighting are examples of universal design.
• Aging in place means living in the home of your choice. Whether it's the home you've been in for 30 years, a new home, or a 55 plus community. The key is choice.
• Social determinants of health include living ina community where you have easy access to neighbors, parks, restaurants and stores.