Those who support people who are living with dementia can become used to the way the condition is "managed" in our own countries, with a major impact on the people relying on us for care, the staff, family members, facilities and more. How do we safely challenge these fixed ideas to see what might support a better quality of life? International dementia advocate, Dr. Cecilia Chan, our guest this month. She gives us some great examples of how challenging norms and assumptions can lead to better care .

The direction of design for older people is currently centred on wellness and the impact of biophilic design. In Part 2 of our look at the relationship between biophilia and wellness, host Lori Pinkerton-Rolet is joined by specialists from Nottingham Trent University (UK) during their in-depth study on this topic, this time with a focus on establishing the personal preferences of care home research subjects and what each guest found most surprising from the results thus far.

The direction of design for older people is currently centred on wellness and the impact of biophilic design. What scientific proof exists that these environments are vital for well-being, and how can this be tested in a robust and objective way? In Part 1 on this topic, Lori talks to three academic specialists from Nottingham Trent University, in the United Kingdom, amid their in-depth study of the subject, including the protocols required to work directly with people in a care setting, and the use of AI and other technologies they have employed to assist.

This month we feature an episode from the Third Age Design archives, a Best of TAD favourite which was based on substantial research that indicates pets have important health benefits including: improved mood, lower blood pressure, increased exercise rates and a reduction in stress. But...in senior living, do these benefits outweigh any risks, and how might these be reduced by getting both the offer and the environment itself absolutely correct? Join Lori and three expert guests from the US, Canada, and the United Kingdom to learn more about this impactful but seldom-discussed topic.

In 2025 alone, global losses from fraud have been estimated at between 442 and 534 billion US dollars. Many schemes specifically target older people, who are often more trusting, while at the same time less technologically adept. To protect yourself - and seniors for whom you have any responsibility - listen to this episode's conversation between Lori and Joan Campbell, a retired Police Officer and Maricopa County Community Affairs Coordinator in the US, who shares her top prevention tips…and a few cautionary tales.

For links to the resources named in this and past episodes, head over to our podcast page at ⁠ThirdAge.Design⁠.

While you're there, be sure to hit the Join Us! button to become part of our community and benefit from sharing essential information on senior environments...along with exclusive content!

We start our 6th season with an interview in which our host is actually our guest! TAD Marketing Director, Valerie Adler, talks to Lori about the importance of “Wellness” as a concept, and the launch of the Wellness Interior Design Audit (WIDA).

Wellness should be more than just a marketing phrase. The audit, a result of a year of research and peer-reviewed by a panel of sector experts, is a self-assessment whose results will help you make modifications to your facility that can genuinely (and sometimes dramatically) improve wellness for residents, staff and guests.

Lighting is a integral part of designing any interior space, but it takes on added significance in situations where older people may not go out as often as they might have when they were younger. In this episode, Kam Dhatt, an international expert in circadian lighting, joins Lori for a discussion that touches on his research into chronobiology and the neuroscience of light. Even if you think you understand the science behind circadian lighting, we promise you: there’s a lot here you will never before have considered!

This month’s Innovation Spotlight shines this month on Inclusive Design products from the German manufacturer HEWI for bath and shower rooms.