Glowing Older

With degrees in design, gerontology, environmental psychology, and community planning, Esther Greenhouse brings a unique perspective to housing and communities. Learn about Silver to Gold’s Enabling Design Approach that eases the staffing crisis by creating environments that support independence and allow people of all ages to flourish.

About Esther

Esther Greenhouse, CEO of Silver to Gold Strategic Consulting, is a strategist and environmental gerontologist bringing a unique constellation of experience and expertise in design, gerontology, environmental psychology, and planning, to help organizations and communities excel at meeting the needs of those 50+ and enable them to THRIVE!

Her unique Enabling Design Approach informed AARP International’s Equity by Design initiative, as well as the design of the nation’s first elder-focused Emergency Room at the request of Dr. Bill Thomas. Esther co-authored the American Planning Association's Aging in Community Policy Guide, is an industry scholar for the Cornell Institute for Healthy Futures and served as the Strategic Director for one of the nation’s first Age-Friendly Centers for Excellence. The International Well Building Institute has appointed Esther to their newly formed Investing for Health Advisory.

For 10 years she was the primary caregiver for her mother.

 

Key Takeaways

Environments impact the functioning and well-being of older adults, for better or worse. An optimal fit between the person and environment allows the highest level of independence. “Environmental press” (poor fit) pushes people to an artificially lower level of functioning that causes “forced frailty” and is costly to society. Status quo environments are designed for a small subset of the population—the average height male between the ages of 20 and 40. We design for the highest physical cognitive and sensory abilities; everybody else has to adapt. In 2010 we had approximately seven potential caregivers for every older adult. By 2050, it will be less than three. Enabling Design leverages the built environment to reduce demand for long-term care.

Jennifer is the co-host of the Biophilic Solutions™, a podcast about the human connection to nature, and faculty advisor at the Penn Center for Neuroaesthetics and Brain Health Initiative— a collaborative effort that launched with Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School Teaching Hospital. 

 About Jennifer

Jennifer is a 26-year serial entrepreneur in the wellness, beauty, and retail landscape. She created the first omni-channel beauty brand in the US in 1997, Beauty Bar sold to Amazon in 2010. Her retail concept became the first in America to incorporate biophilic design where she understood the connection between nature and the beauty space. Jennifer grew her business until she sold the

Utilizing her experience creating immersive retail spaces and living in a tent each summer for 30+ years, Jennifer incorporated Recharge Rooms for clients around the country to aid in calm and relaxation for corporate clients, hotel groups, and others. In 2017 she began creating Back to Nature programs, including her signature Wellness Walks in Central Park and around the country. Her new walking journal, Walk Your Way Calm, is a wellness handbook on how to use walking in nature as a potent tool for tackling stress and anxiety.

Key Takeaways

Biophilia is our innate human connection to all living things. Connecting to nature and green spaces gives us life. Neuroscientists and doctors confirm the health benefits of nature on the body. Studies show looking at nature outside a window for 40 seconds can relax the prefrontal cortex. Outdoor activities like walking in nature and gardening promote awareness and lowers stress. Contact with living things in the soil builds the immune system and aids in brain health.

The “Ambassador of Elderhood” talks about approaching aging as a “Team Sport.” His newest venture, PLAYING TO WIN, is a Global Symposium on Aging Magnificently presented by Lifespark in partnership with The Eden Alternative. The 10-week online educational series focuses on creating strength, purpose, and belonging through gamification, combating ageism, and shifting the focus of wellness from “Me” to “We.” 

About Dr. Bill

Dr. Bill Thomas is a physician, professor, entrepreneur, playwright, and performer whose wide-ranging work explores the terrain of human aging. His dedication to culture change and innovations for well-being led to him being named by the Wall Street Journal as one of the nation’s “Top 10 Innovators changing the future of retirement in America. He was also included in US News and World Report list of “America’s Best Leaders.”

Dr. Thomas is currently the Chief Independence Officer at Lifespark and the founder of PLAYING TO WIN, a Global Symposium on Aging Magnificently presented by Lifespark in partnership with The Eden Alternative.  Learn more and sign up here.

Key Takeaways

Dr. Thomas wrote four books focused on enhancing strength, purpose and belonging: 1. Aging Magnificently, 2. MESH (Move, Eat, Sleep, Heal), 3. The Good Life, planning for a better future, and 4. Better Together, aging as a team sport. Older people are often missing risk in their lives, and risk is an essential ingredient of strength, purpose and belonging. Risk is defined as entering a situation where we don't know the outcome. Lifespark hosts four Performance Leagues with teams, prizes, and a competition schedule—a Triathlon Tournament, Forklift Racing, the Grip games focused on increasing grip strength, and the Spark Challenge, a quiz show about aging. A cruel manifestation of ageism is the notion that older people either rise or fall on their own. The ticket to healthy old age is reciprocity—where you depend on somebody and somebody depends on you. Wellness needs to shift to the level of community.

Jeannie Ralston talks about the evolution of NextTribe, the travel and events company for women 45+. Learn about how NextTribe breaks down stereotypes about aging while providing opportunities for community and adventure.

About Jeannie

Jeannie Ralston is the co-founder and CEO of NextTribe, which informs, promotes, and connects women who are determined to “Age Boldly” (NextTribe’s tagline). In addition to publishing articles by top writers, NextTribe hosts events around the country and takes women on trips, both internationally and domestically.

Ralston’s work as a journalist has been published in National Geographic, Life, The New York Times, Conde Nast Traveler, Allure, and many other magazines. Her years growing lavender in rural Texas was the subject of her memoir, The Unlikely Lavender Queen, published by Broadway Books; her e-book, The Mother of All Field Trips, was about the three years she and her husband homeschooled and traveled with their sons.

In 2018, she was named Digital influencer of the Year by Austin Woman magazine, and was a Folio Top Women in Media honoree. She also organized and spoke at a SXSW panel called “How Midlife Women Work Their Entrepreneurial Mojo.”

Key Takeaways

NextTribe’s growth numbers reflects an unmet need for women 45+, with 60,000 monthly unique website visitors, 100,000 Facebook followers, and an 20,000 subscribed to the e-newsletter, and 1,500 paid members. Fourteen trips are planned in 2023.  The central premise of NextTribe’s content and events is to help women reach their potential and connect to likeminded women.    Ageism starts with ageism against ourselves. You can’t change the fact that you are aging but you can change your attitude.

 

The Positive Aging Community is leading the conversation on aging well with professionals, older adults, and family members. Steve shares key trends and lessons learned from more than 300 interactive discussions on resources for senior living, aging in place, and thriving in the next chapter.

About Steve

Steve Gurney founded Retirement Living SourceBook in 1990. Drawing from the experience of observing his family care for Steve’s aging grandfather, he created a comprehensive publication to help others in the same situation. Steve has worked closely with nearly every regional and national organization on aging to help maximize their exposure and find solutions to their challenges.

In 1998, Steve sold his company to The Washington Post where he served as General Manager of Sourcebook and the Senior Living Solutions Division. In 2019, he re-acquired Sourcebook and re-branded as Positive Aging Community with a robust schedule of live and interactive programs.

Steve has a Masters Degree from the Erickson School of Aging Studies at University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC), where he also served as an adjunct professor.

Key Takeaways

Members in the Positive Aging Community are equal parts personal and professional—half older adults and families and half senior living and aging services. Positive Aging Community’s number one topic is solo aging. Most of us are solo agers in training—couples are unlikely to pass at the same time, and parents don’t’ want to burden their children. Assisted living and a trend towards aging in place with grassroots initiatives like The Village Movement have changed the landscape of support for older adults. Covid created an awareness about the unhealthy effects of loneliness and isolation. Social connections are an important determinant when considering aging in place.

As senior columnist and on-air expert at Yahoo Finance and author of more than a dozen books, Kerry Hannon is on mission is to help people improve their lives and the lives of others—whether it's finding a dream job, starting an entrepreneurial venture, or securing a financial future.

About Kerry

Kerry Hannon is a workplace futurist and a leading expert and strategist on career management and work transitions, entrepreneurship, personal finance and retirement. Kerry is the author of more than a dozen best-selling and award-winning books, including “In Control at 50+: How to Succeed in The New World of Work,” “Never Too Old to Get Rich,” “Great Jobs for Everyone 50+,” “Great Pajama Jobs: Your Complete Guide to Working From Home,” “Love Your Job” and “What’s Next?”

She has covered all aspects of careers, business and personal finance as a columnist, editor, and writer for the nation’s leading media companies, including The New York Times, Forbes, MarketWatch, Money, PBS, U.S. News & World Report, USA Today and The Wall Street Journal, among other national publications. Kerry has appeared as a career and financial expert on The Dr. Phil Show ABC, CBS, CNBC, NBC Nightly News, NPR, Yahoo Finance and PBS.

Follow Kerry on Twitter @KerryHannon, visit her website at KerryHannon.com, and check out her LinkedIn profile at www.linkedin.com/in/kerryhannon. For Instagram users: https://www.instagram.com/kerryhannon/

Key Takeaways

You are never too old to get rich. Focus on finding richness in your work and value in what you are doing. The workplace profoundly changed during the pandemic, particularly for those over 50. People were laid off and took early retirement. The shift was psychological as well as financial. By nature of the aging population, there is a tremendous need to keep workers on the job longer. Start planning in your 50s, what you might want to do in your 60s. 'Wade' into that territory by taking a class, doing some informational interviews or job-shadowing. Adopt a learning mindset.

Brian Patterson talks about his role as Goodwin Living’s Innovation and Development Chef, including mentorship, vocational culinary programs, and sustainability. Learn why Goodwin Living is a Washington Post Top Workplace for the past four consecutive years.

About Brian

Brian Patterson is the Innovation and Development Chef at Goodwin Living™, supporting dining services operations at the three senior living communities Goodwin House Alexandria, Goodwin House Bailey’s Crossroads and The View Alexandria. Brian also partners with local culinary programs to host internships designed to smooth the transition from the classroom to professional work in a senior living setting. He joined Goodwin Living in 2020, having previously worked for the American Medical Association, L’Academie de Cuisine and Glenstone Museum. 

Goodwin Living touches the lives of thousands of people every day through its range of senior living communities, specialized health care services, community partnerships and philanthropic endeavors. With a mission to support, honor and uplift the lives of older adults and the people who care for them, Goodwin Living leads the way in expanding the places and ways we can all thrive and find purpose as we age. Older adults will discover options that meet them where they want to be, and those options are managed and provided by team members who represent more than 65 countries. Get more information at GoodwinLiving.org or by following Goodwin Living on Facebook and LinkedIn.

Key Takeaways

Goodwin Living’s mentorship program is paramount to retention and recruitment success. Their partnership with local vocational culinary program Kitchen of Purpose, which donates meals to low-income families and individuals, and high school programs. The Kitchen of Purpose program has resulted in the successful matriculation of three interns to full-time positions. Cooks develop skills in a three-tiered job system where they move up the career ladder with attainable goals, progressing from a “Cook 1” to “Cook 3” role. Goodwin Livings sustainability efforts include a composting program to reduce waste, sourcing local ingredients, and community-wide recycling and conservation programs spearheaded with the resident “Green Team.” Composted soil is delivered to residents each spring to use in their garden boxes. Dining trends include interest in less formal dining spaces like cafes and to-go and delivery options. The key is flexibility and choice.

As Senior Vice President of Operations for Sunrise Senior Living, Denise Falco is helping residents design their preferred lifestyle in the heart of New York City. Learn how Sunrise is creating the best of urban living—from 5-star dining, to state-of-the-art technology, to a partnership with The Julliard School, to Silver LEED Certification and WELL Building Standards.

About Denise

Denise joined the Sunrise team in 2007 and has risen to Senior Vice President of Operations for both of Sunrise’s Manhattan communities, Sunrise at East 56th (now open) and The Apsley (opening this spring). In her role, Denise works across all aspects of the communities from business management and strategy, recruiting and training new hires, and resident and family services.

Key Takeaways

Sunrise’s luxury projects in Manhattan have flexible spacesincluding wellness suites for physical and occupational therapy and extensive outdoor areas, including a rooftop garden with doors that open and close depending on the weather. Smaller suites turn into larger suites, depending on residents’ wants and needs. The 5-star dining program at Sunrise at East 56th features executive chefs from top US restaurants, and partnerships with local establishments such as Balthazar Bakery. Residents can continue to enjoy the things they are used to enjoying throughout the city. State-of-the- technology includes Philips wearables to monitor steps, movement, and vitals, digital signage, and a voice assistant.

The founder of Silvereco.org talks about the 2023 Silver Eco & Ageing Well International Festival at the prestigious Palais des Festivals de Cannes on September 18th. More than 30 countries are expected to participate in the most comprehensive B2B for aging services in the world. Highlights include the SilverNight International Ageing Awards, expert forums, an expo of aging services and products, and tours of senior housing and home care models in the South of France.

About Jérôme

Jérôme Pigniez is founder and president of On-Medio and SilverEco.org, the silver economy portal that lists all the players in the aging well sector. He is an expert in demographic transition, technologies for autonomy and the Silver Economy; he is invited to speak at conferences, write books and reports, and take part in working groups on the subject of ageing.

Jérôme was the reporter for one of the Silver Economy working groups of the Ministry of the Elderly and Autonomy, which followed the official launch of the Silver Economy branch of the government, and was entrusted with a mission to identify the players in this complex sector. He did so by co-founding several ageing well structures and founding On-Medio through which he supports and advises various companies in this field.

Finally, Jérôme is the producer and organizer of SilverNight, the SilverEco Awards and Aging Well International Awards, whose purpose is to discover and reward the best structures involved in supporting the elderly population. After a great international success in Paris and Tokyo, this annual event has been hosted since 2021 at the Palais des Festivals of Cannes as a part of the SilverEco & Ageing Well International Festival, the worldwide meeting of Silver Economy players. The event has continued to grow, gathering international representatives from all around the globe to build a better ageing well world.

Key Takeaways

SilverEco Awards and SilverNight Aging Well International Awards are open to innovations in aging around the globe. Applicants pitch directly to a jury of experts on the first day of the Festival. The educational program features age-tech, senior living housing models, caregiver support, and marketing and communications to target older adults. The post-festival tour includes visits to senior living communities and home health venues in the South of France, including networking with the founders of innovative start-ups and representatives from the French government.

As professor of health care policy at Harvard Medical School, Dr. Grabowski advises the US Congress on Medicare policy issues and nursing home reform. Learn about the recommendations from CMS’s Coronavirus Commission on Safety and Quality in Nursing Homes and the National Academies of Sciences Engineering and Medicine Commission.

About David

David C. Grabowski, Ph.D. is a professor of health care policy in the Department of Health Care Policy at Harvard Medical School. He has published over 200 peer-reviewed research articles with a particular focus on long-term care. He has testified in front of Congress five times on issues related to the care of older adults.

Dr. Grabowski is a member of the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission. He has also served on several Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) technical expert panels, including the recent CMS Coronavirus Commission on Safety and Quality in Nursing Homes. He was also a member of the recent National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine’s Committee on the Quality of Care in Nursing Homes.

Key Takeaways

The pandemic has been a “crisis on top of a crisis.” COVID lifted the veil on social ills that have been present in nursing homes for four decades. There are two major challenges in long-term care and post-acute care in the U.S. 1. We underfund long-term care and post-acute care services and 2. We spend money on the wrong things without enough accountability for how public funds are being spent. Budgets need to transition away from nursing homes and towards home and community-based services. The Biden Administration tried early on to put more money into home-and-community-based services, but the effort failed. Nursing home reforms include consideration of minimum staffing standards, greater transparency around ownership and finances, and increased regulatory oversight to make certain facilities are accountable.

The CEO of Sparkle Success talks about the ways activity directors make a difference in senior living communities and the elevation of the position post pandemic.

About Bryan

Bryan Rife, CEO of Sparkle Success, has over 27 years in the healthcare arena and holds a Life Coach Certification through the Academy of Modern Applied Psychology and is nationally certified as an Activity Director with a specialization in education through the National Certification Council for Activity Professionals.  He is also a Licensed Montessori Home Engagement Certification and MEPAP 1 APC course Instructor through NCCAP.

Bryan has previously served on the boards of the National Certification Council for Activity Professionals in Washington, DC and the Coalition of Activity Professionals in North Carolina.  He is a former instructor for the North Carolina state approved Activity Director course and has traveled the country presenting at many different healthcare conferences and workshops as a keynote speaker.

Key Takeaways

The position of activity professional has pivoted from playing games and doing crafts to a person-centered care approach. Today there is more inter-departmental interaction with nursing and administration to provide the best solution for each resident. The pandemic allowed insight into the invaluable impact that activities directors have on residents and elevated the profession. Activity professionals are hungry for education about programming and meeting the needs of people with cognitive impairment, different religions and cultures, and LGBTQIA+.

With more than 800 people certified worldwide, the Validation Training Institute provides virtual certification programs for aging service professionals and caregivers. Vicki de Klerk-Rubin shares her life work continuing her mother’s legacy, communication tips, and highlights of the upcoming Validation World Congress in partnership with #activitiesstrong. 

About Vicki

Vicki de Klerk-Rubin is the Executive Director of the Validation Training Institute and a certified Validation master. She is the author of Validation Techniques for Dementia Care and Validation for First Responders. Together with her mother Naomi Feil, the founder of the Validation method, she co-authored the revisions of Validation: The Feil Method and The Validation Breakthrough. Ms. de Klerk-Rubin holds a BFA from Boston University, an MBA from Fordham University, and is a Dutch-trained registered nurse.

Since 1989, Ms de Klerk-Rubin has given Validation workshops, lectures and training programs in Austria, Belgium, China, Denmark, England, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Luxemburg, the Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland and the United States. She has also worked in long-term care in Amsterdam, leading Validation groups and training staff.

Key Takeaways

“Crossing the street” into the world of an individual with cognitive impaired is foundational to the Validation Method. Be mindful—take a breath before you respond and pay attention to your tone of voice. Always have eye contact older adults—approach them from the front and reach them at eye level. “Talking down” to them can create anger. Never talk to the back of the head or approach from the side. You may not be heard, and approaching from the side can be scary for people with narrow peripheral vision, which happens naturally as you get older. Self-care is critical for caregivers. Without caring for ourselves, it's hard to give to others. The skills to communicate with individuals with cognitive impairment can only be learned by practice and getting feedback.They can’t be learned in a book or YouTube video.

As Spark Performance League Commissioner, Angie McAllister designs events that build strength, purpose, and belonging—with a healthy dose of competition thrown in. Learn about Lifespark’s TRYathlon™ Tournament and National Forklift Racing League, plus musings on next generation senior living and aging in place.

About Angie

Angie McAllister NHA has nearly three decades of experience in senior living, proudly having started her career as a Certified Nursing Assistant. She is currently the Spark Performance League Commissioner at Lifespark, where she is working closely with communities to build out an athletic league in senior living that supports the organization’s mission of empowering seniors to live fuller, more independent lives.

Angie was recently voted The Eden Alternative International’s Board Chair. She was the 2016 recipient of the Nancy J. Fox Leadership Award and the 2018 recipient of the Eden Alternative Champion Award. Her experience spans transformational growth, change management and person-centered programming that sparks creativity and engagement. Previously to joining Lifespark she led Quality of Life and Culture Change Initiatives for Signature Healthcare, working closely with communities to facilitate transformation practices and eventually assisting many to join The Eden Alternative.

Key Takeaways

Lifespark commissions athletic leagues with teams, competitions, and prizes. The National Forklift Racing League is a contest using remote control forklifts—residents work as a team to stack the most poundage onto a set of scales within a time limit. There was backward motion towards an institutional approach during the pandemic, even in senior living communities with best practices. Along the lines of the Eden Alternative, personal transformation has to take place and the “blinders need to come off,” to transform the aging services industry. Relational trust is necessary to make to make big changes and spur innovation. Trends in senior living include a movement to smaller communities and intentional multi-generational concepts, and away from service-oriented hospitality towards engagement and citizenship. Activity professionals are the heart of senior living communities and underacknowledged for the work they do to improve residents’ quality of life.

One of the most powerful voices in the business of aging well, Bob Kramer shares his vision for transformational change in senior housing and healthcare, solutions for the crippling staffing crisis, and exciting collaborations with NIC and Nexus Insights.

About Bob

Bob Kramer is Founder and Fellow at Nexus Insights, a think tank advancing the well-being of older adults through innovative models of housing, community and healthcare. Mr. Kramer is also Co-founder, former CEO, and now Strategic Advisor at the National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & Care (NIC). He is broadly recognized as one of senior living’s most influential and high profile thought leaders and connectors. With over 35 years of industry leadership, he has earned the reputation of “agent provocateur” in the seniors housing and care industry. He has been described as an “ice-cutter” and scout in identifying industries and trends that will disrupt the future of seniors housing, aging services, and aging more broadly.

In 1991, Mr. Kramer co-founded NIC to advance access and choice in seniors housing and care by attracting capital to grow the sector. Under his leadership, NIC became the go-to resource for data and analytics for the rapidly expanding seniors housing and care industry and an acknowledged thought leader for new ideas and trends impacting the provision of housing, services and care for older adults. Mr. Kramer stepped out of the CEO role in 2107 and continues to serve NIC as Strategic Advisor.

A former county government official and Maryland state legislator, Mr. Kramer was a leader on health and environmental issues while representing the state capital of Annapolis in the 1980s. Mr. Kramer was educated at Harvard and Oxford Universities and holds a Master of Divinity degree from Westminster Theological Seminary.

Key Takeaways

The staffing crisis is the second pandemic. Senior living communities are trying to do more with less. Staff are suffering from physical and mental exhaustion. Senior living needs to move away from a model based on care and assuming decline and deficit, to an aspirational model based on lifestyle and personalization. In the past 10 years, assisted living has focused on marketing care and stopped selling lifestyle, community and engagement. The future is about enabling a sense of purpose, belonging and connection. Age-tech has exploded. Ten years ago, the age-tech category was nonexistent. This year, CES (Consumer Electronic Show) partnered with the AARP’s Agetech Collaborative on an entire area dedicated to age-tech startups.

Charles de Vilmorin, Co-founder & CEO of Linked Senior, talks about leveraging real-time data to create more meaningful engagement and how #ActivitiesStrong is elevating the life enrichment role to the C-Suite.

About Charles

Charles is passionate about honoring the older adults in our society. From his master’s thesis on nursing homes and memory care, to his close connections with the older adults in his family, to creating and leading Linked Senior, a resident engagement platform for senior living, he is an advocate for the person-centered movement. With Linked Senior, he has more than twelve years of experience building solutions that value meaningful engagement to meet the changing needs and preferences of every older adult.

Charles is on the board of the Validation Training Institute that promotes the Validation Method work of Naomi Feil, and on the Innovation Council for AMDA, the American Medical Doctor Association. He also started the Old People are Cool initiative to combat rampant ageism in our society and build intergenerational conversations and collaboration.

Key Takeaways

Historically, the Activity/Program Director position has not been taken seriously, with few opportunities for collaboration with other senior living departments. Data-driven systems prove the ROI of engagement and elevate the position. Activities Strong empowers and educates senior living professionals engaged in providing activities and programs that improve the lives of older adults. The platform offers bi-monthly educational webinars and an annual virtual conference. Linked Senior’s Benchmark Study shows senior living communities provided an average of 26 minutes of activities per resident, per day in 2022.

Joanna Mansfield, General Manager of Coterie Hudson Yards in Manhattan, talks about elevating the urban lifestyle concept. She shares her strategies for creating a boutique experience and using technology for uber-personalization and on-demand access.

About Joanna

Joanna Mansfield has been integral to launching Coterie, a luxury senior living development by Related Companies and Atria Senior Living. She joined Atria in 2012 and has served in various roles and leadership responsibilities including Senior Vice President of Care, Senior Vice President of Operations for Atria Home Care in New York, Resident Services Director, Executive Director and Regional Vice President. Most recently, Ms. Mansfield was responsible for all care operations for Atria's more than 200 communities across the U.S. and Canada and led care operations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Prior to joining Atria, Ms. Mansfield was employed by the New York State Department of Health as a Nurse Surveyor and the city of Ithaca as Wellness Director. Joanna holds a Bachelor of Science in nursing from Ryerson University in Toronto.

Key Takeaways

Older adults want to stay near their children in urban locations so they can be active grandparents and access cultural institutions, fine dining, and shopping. Exclusive concierge services include in-home personized dinners with celebrity chefs, priority access to top rated restaurants, and free memberships to museums and cultural institutions. Coterie manages a fleet of Alexa devices with smart home features to communicate with residents and provide daily calendars and menus. Alexa is a direct connection to the hospitality team who curate a variety of experiences based on analysis of personal preferences. Culinary highlights include an open kitchen, collaboration with award-winning chefs, locally-sourced seasonal menus, and on-site sommelier for food and wine pairings, and nutrition consultationfrom The Mayo Clinic. Coterie’s wellness department uses the Mayo Clinic assessment tool, in collaboration with on-site physical therapy and occupational therapists, to create physical fitness programs and optimize balance and cognitive function.

The CEO of Delight by Design and MezTal talks about the progression of senior living and age-tech, new definitions of wellness, and her foray into venture capital with Third Act Ventures and AgeTech Capital.

About Sarah

Sarah Thomas is an accomplished leader of innovation. She serves as a global aging expert advising startups, large corporations and investors, with over 20 years dedicated to transforming the aging experience. Sarah is CEO of multinational staff-hosting company, MezTal in Guadalajara, Mexico & CEO of the consulting firm Delight by Design, creating age-inclusive products, brands, spaces and experiences that delight the consumer at every age.

Sarah has held key leadership positions across the US and Asia, developing and implementing strategic corporate innovation initiatives, including change management. She has served as Executive-in-Residence at Aging2.0 and currently serves as Principal Fellow in the Nexus Insights firm for aging transformation and Mentor to Techstars Longevity Accelerator. She also is co- founder of AgeTech News, a media platform for global AgeTech News and deal flow and sits as a Venture Partner to AGETECH Capital and ThirdAct Ventures.

Key Takeaways

Consumer adoption of technology is increasing, including smart devices and telehealth, and more personalized, customized approach to technology consumption There is a trend towards a lifestyle approach, with resources for health, mental health, and general well-being in the senior living and consumer markets. The focus is on all the dimensions of wellness across our lifespan. Robotic food delivery can offload up to six miles per shift to a robot to save wear and tear on the human body from going from kitchen to table. The human experience can be much more personal and more around the customer service experience at the table rather spending time bussing tables. Saving burden on the body opens workforce opportunities for older adults to continue working or come back into the workforce. Membership models created a personalized approachthat matches activities based on personalized goals. With artificial intelligence, we can make suggestions based on predictive behavior.

The Founder & CEO of The Super Age and author of THE SUPER AGE: DECODING OUR DEMOGRAPHIC DESTINY shares his views on aging in place, the changing workforce, age-tech, and the return of the multigenerational household.

About Bradley

Bradley Schurman is an expert on demographic change and how it disrupts social, cultural, political, and economic norms across the United States and around the world. His deep understanding of population shifts, coupled with his grasp of emerging trends, makes him an authoritative voice into the future of everything.

He’s the author of THE SUPER AGE: DECODING OUR DEMOGRAPHIC DESTINY and the founder and CEO of the global research and advisory firm, The Super Age. He’s written for Newsweek, been quoted by The Wall Street Journal, New York Times, and USA Today, and regularly appears as a guest on podcast, radio, and television shows around the world.

Key Takeaways

Nine out of 10 Americans want to live at home for most of their life, if not their entire life, and there are very little resources for aging in place. For the first time in history, the world population will have more people over 65 than under the age of 18 in less than a decade. The three primary spaces to focus on inclusive design in the home environment are the bathroom, the kitchen, and staircases. Inclusive design must extend to commercial spaces because more people are working and consuming longer. Super Age Inclusive Design (SAID) certifies organizations based in five verticals: 1. mobility, 2. hearing, 3. neurodiversity and cognition, 4. Vision and 5. dexterity and strength. We are returning to historical ways of living with multiple generations in a single home and traditional ways of working where retiring at 65 is not the norm. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics in the United States 75-plus workers were nearly double by the end of this decade. Like sexism, racism and homophobia, ageism won’t go away, but the numbers shrink in size with greater levels of inclusion. When older people play a productive role in society, they are welcomed. The ‘middle plus’ are highly connected, cognitively and physically fit, and willing to invest in managing their well-being and retaining their independence.

The Director of Public Messaging at LeadingAge, a national organization serving older adults through aging services providers, talks about Opening Doors to Aging Services. The initiative shares research, strategies, and tools for aging services professionals to positively promote this sector to older adults, families, and potential team members.

About Gwen

Gwen Fitzgerald is a communications professional and community activist. She serves as Director, Public Messaging at LeadingAge, a professional association representing more than 5,000 nonprofit aging services providers and other mission-minded organizations that touch millions of lives every day. As project manager for the Opening Doors to Aging Services initiative, she develops and shares the research, strategies, and tools to guide aging services professionals in introducing the aging services sector to older adults and their families—and, in doing so, to shift perceptions positively.

Prior to joining LeadingAge in 2021, she worked with teams to develop communications and marketing campaigns that inspire audiences to act and advance public safety and human rights.

After business hours, she is a ceramic artist (hobbyist), dog fanatic, and Board member at Oakwood Arts in Richmond, VA, where she lives with her husband and dog.

Key Takeaways

Findings from the Opening Doors to Aging study show extraordinary support for caregivers. Words to describe professional caregivers are strong and complimentary—compassionate, dedicated, essential and professional. Aging services professionals should incorporate the role of professional caregivers in all their communications. There is fear and denial of aging—resistance to thinking about the changes coming to our bodies and to our lives. Communication should be upbeat. Opening Doors to Aging recommends eight core communication strategies and a Provider Inspiration Guide with different types of communications channels. A visual design guide recommends words and pictures. LeadingAge created a public service campaign called Keep Leading Life that defines the sector and provider types. The aging services sector does not have a public perception crisis. The study asked, “What are your views of Aging Services?” and “Do you trust aging services providers?” Responses show the public views aging services favorably. Results show 68% have a positive view and 70% would recommend aging services to others.

The Associate Principal and Senior Interior Designer of THW Design and board member of the American Academy of Healthcare Interior Designers (AAHID)has been an advocate for inclusive and ethical design for older adults for 23 years. Learn about intentional planning to create spaces that reflect today’s residents’ interests and concerns for mental and physical health, the environment and social impact.

About Melinda

Melinda Ávila -Torio, NCIDQ, RID, CHID, CASP, LEED ® AP, IIDA is Associate Principal and Senior Interior Designer at THW Design, one of the nation’s top senior living design firms for nearly four decades. She is a CHID Board-Certified Healthcare Interior Designer through AAHID, a Registered Interior Designer (RID), Certified Aging Specialist Professional (Leading Age CASP) and Certified LEED AP (U.S. Green Building Council.) Melinda holds a Bachelor of Science in Interior Design and Master of Science in Architecture from Virginia Tech.

Key Takeaways

There is improvement in food service integration and the ways culinary arts are delivered in senior living. New models reflect generations of cultural traditions and health practices, while using technology to explore the world through food. Dining service has moved away from “three squares a day”and is intertwined in the physical environment with access to bistros, wellness cafes, libraries with local coffee, specialty pubs offering regional craft beer and wine. Intentional planning injects socialization as a key ingredient. Flexible multi-purpose rooms respond to residents’ needs as well as families and the community at large. Team members need well-lit, comfortable spaces for decompression and recovery. Services such as fitness, wellness, laundry, and food service should extend to staff.

The President and CEO of the 34-year-old nonprofit life plan community shares White Horse Village’s “secret sauce” for technology innovation, lifelong learning, and resident-driven programming on campus and in the local community.

About Len

Len Weiser has worked as a Director of Nursing for a Skilled Nursing Community, Nursing Home Administrator, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer for both profit and non-profit organizations.  He has worked for single-site and corporate entities at the campus-level and on the corporate team.

Len serves on the LeadingAge PA Board of Directors. He completed his undergraduate degree in Nursing at Rutgers University, Master’s in Executive Nursing Leadership at Wilmington University and is in the final stages of completing his Doctorate in Business Administration at Wilmington University.

Key Takeaways

Aging services will be more customizable and expandable. Senior living is becoming a service. Technology innovations include 24-hour access to telemedicine, smart home packages, and the K4Connect App that provides residents and families access to daily menus, trips, and events. Seventy five percent of residents touch one of those technologies daily. White Horse Village partners with the local community college to offer lifelong learning opportunities for residents on campus or virtually. It is a reciprocal relationship where residents are available for tutoring and guest lecturing at the campus. A newly formed resident sustainability committee focuses on sustainable and climate change initiativesto support on campus. White Horse’s wellness advisory committee partners with the fitness staff to craft wellness programming. The vast array of activities and services include an aquatics group, spin classes, massage therapy, and even Reiki energy work.

The leading marketing consultancy catering to older adults works with every sector of aging services—from large healthcare providers, to senior living and home care, to age-tech startups. Learn key findings from new research on the 50-million-large caregiver market in North America and why nine out of ten caregivers see technology playing a crucial role in the future.

About Jeff

Jeff is the President and CEO (Chief EvAgelist Officer) of Age of Majority, a research-driven marketing consultancy that helps organizations better understand older adults so that they can engage them more effectively. He is in the last wave of the Baby Boomers with over 30 years of marketing experience on both the client and agency sides of the business. Prior to starting Age of Majority, Jeff led Harbinger out of their Toronto office - a PR agency that is focused primarily on launching brands and marketing to women.

Over the years, Jeff has witnessed the dramatic changes of the aging population. In his experience working for and with major brands including Pepsi, Gillette, Dannon, KitchenAid and Unilever, he understands why corporations are missing the boat on the over 55 crowd and he knows what’s necessary to take advantage of this largest and fastest growing segment in business.

Key Takeaways

According to the Connecting with Caregivers Research Report, about three-quarters of older adults are receptive to health monitoring through wearables and smart home environments. Top three age-tech sectors include #1 Wearables (approximately 40% of older adults are wearing a device), #2 Accessible communication in the home, whether that be smart speakers or some type of screen device, #3, In-home surveillance systems for safety and security. Age-tech senior living solutions most in demand include workforce solutions to free up staff, opportunities for incremental revenue, and products and services that promote residents’ continued independence and autonomy. The biggest mistake age-tech start-ups make is developing products and services without end user input. “If you build it, they will come,” does not hold true.

The University professor and nationally recognized expert on senior housing and aging services technologies talks about the Virginian Scholars Program, a partnership with George Mason University offering The Virginian’s residents formal, structured education. He also shares the technologies influencing senior living and new affinity communities catering to niche markets.

Andrew Carle is adjunct faculty at Georgetown University's Masters in Aging and Health, and advisor and consultant at The Virginian. As Georgetown University faculty, he provides development of and lead instruction for nation's only graduate curricula in Senior Living Administration. Previously, he was an award-winning Professor and Executive-in-Residence for the Program in Senior Housing Administration at George Mason University, establishing the first undergraduate curricula in the nation dedicated exclusively to the senior housing industry.

Carle’s 30+ years of executive-level senior housing and healthcare experience include Chief Operating Officer and VP - Business Services for multiple "Top-10" senior housing providers, and CEO, COO, and Director of Strategic Planning & Marketing for vertically integrated healthcare systems. As president of Carle Consulting, LLC, his clients have included industry leading senior living providers and organizations, as well as AARP, Apple, Nintendo, and UnitedHealthcare, among others. He served as Senior Consultant - Health Intelligence for J.D. Power and Associates in development of the first national customer satisfaction and certification program for the senior living industry.

Awards include “Best of the Best in Aging Services” from Aging News Alert and “Leaders in Aging – Mentor Award” from the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare. In 2010, Carle was recognized among six "People of Influence" for the senior housing industry by Senior Living Executive magazine. His work has been featured or cited in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, TIME, CBS News, CNN, PBS, NPR, and U.S. News & World Report, among others; and in more than 100 senior housing, aging services industry, and technology publications.

Key Takeaways

The Virginian Scholars program is a formal academic curriculum for older adults, who can earn credit hours and even make the Dean’s List and graduate Magna Cum Laude. People who engage in lifelong learning rate higher in all dimensions of wellness and may experience declines in the progression of Alzheimer's disease and other types of cognitive impairment.  Niche retirement communities such as Aegis Living Lake Union in Seattle, Washington, the  first completely green solar-powered community, and Nalcrest in Central Florida., a community for retired postal workers (no UPS, FedEx or dogs allowed), target residents with commonality. Productivity accelerators are technologies that address workforce issues, such as automating and analyzing data and performing routine tasks through robots. Aggregating data from individual tracking is helpful for prevention and detecting risk factors. Predictive analytics can detect issues months sometimes years early. 

Joy is a foremost expert on elder abuse and developing evidence-based screening protocols in long term care. Learn about her role spearheading spiritual engagement, and why connecting to something bigger is critical for happiness and well-being.

About Joy

Joy is the Vice President of Elder Justice and Spiritual Engagement at RiverSpring Living, and Director and Managing Attorney of The Weinberg Center for Elder Justice at the Hebrew Home at Riverdale. Joy co-founded The Weinberg Center in 2004. She was previously Director of Elder Abuse Services at the Pace Women’s Justice Center and an Assistant District Attorney in Manhattan, where she served for eight years. Joy is a frequent speaker and writer on the issue of elder abuse and elder justice, including to the United States Senate, Special Commission on Aging.

Screening for elder abuse detection in health care and legal systems has been a priority for Joy. In addition to developing evidence-based screening protocols in long-term care, Weinberg Center Risk and Abuse Prevention Screen (WC-RAPS), she recently co-authored and published two research papers relating to evidence-based screening for elder abuse.

Joy’s work in long-term care also includes an active role in the creation of sexual expression policies for residents, a resilience/well-being program for caregivers, and a fresh look at death and dying in long-term care. Joy also developed a unique domestic violence prevention and intervention program for all employees of the Hebrew Home at Riverdale. Like the Weinberg Center itself and many of its innovative projects, this program is easily replicable. Joy was a founder of the Elder Abuse Committee on the Elder Law Section of the New York State Bar Association.

In 2017, Joy was awarded the National Crime Victims Service Award by the United States Department of Justice. In 2016, she was recognized with an award of Distinction in Public Service by the New York Law Journal, and in 2010 she received The New York State Bar Association award for Excellence in Public Service. Joy is also a certified ISHTA yoga instructor and teacher of breathing and meditation.

Key Takeaways

One out of ten older adults experience abuse in their lifetime. Most of the perpetrators are family members. Financial exploitation is the most prevalent form of abuse. Elder abuse shelters work well in long-term care communities because they are built around the needs of older people. At River Spring Living the shelter is “virtual” and integrated into the community at large. The SPRiNG Alliance, a network of regional elder abuse shelters, does extensive outreach and training to help communities start shelters. It is important to have conversations about end-of-life and long-term planning. As a culture we are too scared to talk about death and the dying process. Older people need to express themselves spiritually and connect to something bigger than themselves. It is a critical component of happiness and well-being. Part of spiritual engagement is getting out in nature.

James Balda is President & CEO of Argentum, a national trade association representing about 75% of professionally managed senior living communities in the U.S. Learn about the association’s non-stop advocacy and workforce efforts, and the grant from the Department of Labor to develop apprenticeships for 7,000 industry workers, resulting in 80% retention rates.

About James

James Balda is President and CEO of Argentum, the leading national trade association serving companies that own, operate, and support professionally managed senior living communities in the United States.

Throughout the pandemic, he has led the organization’s focus on critical political advocacy and action including obtaining first-in-line COVID vaccine status for assisted living residents, relief funding for senior living providers, and introduction of congressional legislation supporting providers and a strong senior living workforce, putting him on The Hill’s 2021 Top Lobbyist roster.

In 2015, when Balda joined Argentum—then known as the Assisted Living Federation of America—he directed a comprehensive rebranding of the organization and new key imperatives to reflect the greater scope, choice, and innovation on the rise in senior living. Prior to this, Balda served in several roles at the National Restaurant Association, where he was responsible for advancing the association’s business development, insurance, and financial services product strategy. Before this, he was senior vice president of membership and professional development at America’s Health Insurance Plans. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of Maryland.

Key Takeaways

Argentum provides members with professional development and training programs such as the Emerging Leaders, Women in Leadership, Executive Director Leadership, and Certified Director of Assisted Living. Since senior living is historically regulated at the state level, federal lawmakers failed to provide federal financial relief prioritization for vaccines and testing during COVID. Argentum and sister associations rallied and educated lawmakers, leading to the creation of the Elder Relief Fund. More technology companies are entering the senior living and aging services space. Solutions such as telehealth, smart homes, and wearables for monitoring and fall prevention are becoming ubiquitous. Increasingly we will see partnerships between healthcare companies and senior living communities, whether hospital systems, Medicare Advantage plans, or physicians’ groups, to improve quality of life and help residents age in place. Argentum projects the need for 1.2 million new hires over the next 10 years. Approximately 250,000 are new jobs; the rest is replacement for staff leaving the industry. Senior living competes with restaurants, retail and healthcare. Retention is critical. The senior living industry will be challenged with the issue of affordability. Some providers are coming up with innovative ways to address the middle market segment.

The Founder and President of the Dementia Society of America® talks about the misconceptions surrounding cognitive impairment, ways to improve brain health, and how the not-for-profit organization educates and empowers senior living communities and caregivers to better support those challenged with cognitive decline.

About Kevin

Starting as a young entrepreneur at age of 18 and having launched several start-up businesses in the security industry, Mr. Jameson built his career as a sales and marketing executive, which has included over 35 years with major corporate divisions of ADT, BOSCH, and Honeywell International.

Author, singer, inventor, and patent holder, Kevin has traveled to Europe, Asia, India, Australia, the Middle East, Africa, South and Central America, and throughout North America to see how the world really lives. Kevin also has a personal story and connection to dementia. His first wife, Ginny, together for 32 years, died from dementia, and thus he leads the fight with thoughts, words, and deeds.

In 2016, Jameson was awarded a Doctorate of Public Service, Honoris Causa (DrHC) for his life's work, by his alma mater. His establishment of the Dementia Society nearly ten years ago is still a mission in the making.

Key Takeaways

​Senior living companies often “miss the boat” when it comes to dementia. Dementia is a syndrome not a disease (Alzheimer's is a disease.) Dementia effects more than memory. Early indicators of some types of dementia are personality and behavior changes. We can improve brain health and increase neuroplasticity by modifying risk factors and our environment. Important steps include improving nutrition, increasing movement, spending time outdoors, and creating cognitive reserves through lifelong learning. The Dementia Society offers presentations on dementia and brain health, virtually or in person, for senior living communities to share with prospects and residents. Informational pamphlets are provided to doctor’s offices and care communities.

The CEO of The Eden Alternative® discusses the new membership program making it easier for senior living communities to implement the Eden approach. Patrick shares research-based positive outcomes and how implementing Eden programs can reduce insurance premiums by 10-20%.

About Patrick

Patrick Bultema has served as Founder, CEO, and Executive Chairman of numerous companies, acted as an advisor to multiple venture-backed startups, and supported various social entrepreneurial initiatives. Throughout his career, one common theme rings clear – leveraging innovation to bring about dramatic, positive change.

Raised in a close-knit community where elders played an important role, Patrick has lived the values that drive the mission of The Eden Alternative. Deeply shaped by this experience, he is committed to expanding the reach and impact of Eden’s vital message.  Patrick has an MDiv from Princeton and is husband to Lily and the father of their seven children, including three adopted daughters from China. Connect with him at pbultema@edenalt.org.

Key Takeaways

The Eden Alternative membership is a mechanism for staying connected and belonging to the Eden community. Membership includes three levels, General, Growth and Certified (the highest level of recognition.) Insurance Companies report lower risk, better liability coverage and the ability to offer better discounts because of implementing the Eden approach. Eden is developing a technology consortium that can empower and streamline the implementation of person-directed Eden approach in senior living of environments.

Generations Over Dinner is designed to alleviate ageism and loneliness by encouraging different generations to go deep at the dinner table. Learn how the founders joined a think tank of leaders in the aging space to create a turn-key program that any individual or senior living community can implement.

About Michael

Michael Hebb is the Founder of Over Dinner (Death Over Dinner, Drugs Over Dinner, Generations Over Dinner) and the author of Let's Table About Death (Over Dinner). He currently serves as a Board Advisor at the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts, is the primary editor of the COVID Paper; and in the recent past served as a Partner at RoundGlass and Senior Advisor to Summit Series, Theo Chocolate, CreativeLive, Architecture For Humanity, and Mosaic Voices Foundation.

In 1997 Hebb co-founded City Repair and Communitecture with architect Mark Lakeman, winning the AIA People's Choice Award for the Intersection Repair Project. In 1999 Michael and Naomi Pomeroy co-founded Family Supper in Portland, a supper club that is credited with starting the pop-up restaurant movement. In the years following they opened the restaurants clarklewis and Gotham Bldg Tavern, garnering international acclaim.

After leaving Portland, Hebb built Convivium, a creative agency that specialized in the ability to shift culture through the use of thoughtful food and discourse-based gatherings. Convivium's client list includes: The Obama Foundation, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, TEDMED, The World Economic Forum, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Clinton Global Initiative, X Prize Foundation, The Nature Conservancy.

Key Takeaways

Generations Over Dinner is the framework you need to have the experience. The turnkey program includes nine dinner scripts with three primary topics: love and relationships, purpose, and the future. Senior living communities can have their own Generations Over Dinner secure platform where they can plan dinners and invite residents and their kids, grandkids, and friends from outside the community. Loneliness is not alleviated by having more conversations or by being around more people. It is only alleviated by having high quality conversations and real connection.

The co-founder and Chief Solutions Officer talks about Artifcts’ online platform to preserve history while protecting privacy, and their goal to become a household name for all generations.

About Ellen

Ellen Goodwin is the co-founder and Chief Solutions Officer for Artifcts. Prior to co-founding Artifcts, Ellen served as Chief Solutions Officer of Knoema. She managed Knoema’s largest strategic client engagements. As CSO, she also directed content solutions and client services in concert with her role helping to drive the corporate product roadmap.

Before joining Knoema, Ellen served as an Intelligence Analyst with the Central Intelligence Agency, including serving more than one year as a briefer to a cabinet level official.

Ellen holds a B.A. in Business and Economics from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and a Masters of Public Policy from Duke University. She is a member of the Chief executive network for women and volunteers with her daughter through the National Charity League.

Key Takeaways

Artifcts will be adopting biometric options because they found users have difficulty remembering their passwords, so they write them down. To be a trusted site for security, there is a padlock on sensitive information so certain fields are impossible to share in error. Arifcts’ diversity of functionality appealed to AARP Innovation Labs. Users can create stories with text, photos, audio, and video and then connect with others.

Wendy discusses LIVunLtd’s wellness services and how a commitment to healthy living can increase revenue and property values. Learn about her flagship senior living project River’s Edge, the first luxury life plan community in Manhattan.

About Wendy

Wendy Bosalavage is the President and Chief Revenue Officer of LIVuLtd, which provides custom concierge, fitness and wellness experiences for residential and commercial buildings, spas and hotels, and senior living communities. LIVunLtd is a division of First Service Residential, the leading residential property management company in North America.

Wendy’s inexhaustible drive is fueled by her passionate belief that there is a direct correlation between maintaining the value of a property and offering facilities and services that provide residents with the opportunity for a healthy, balanced lifestyle. She has consulted on the design and implementation of innumerable fitness and spa facilities in luxury residential and commercial properties around the world. She earned her certificate as a Wellness Coach from the Institute of Integrative Medicine.

“What gets me excited is the shift in thinking and wide range of opportunities,” says Wendy. “People are open-minded and curious and are looking for a new platform to deliver wellness services in senior living.”

Key Takeaways

Wellness facilities can't just check off the boxes. Developers recognize how important it is to have amenities that increase the value of revenue per square foot. LIVunLtd learned in focus groups that senior living clients want the services and physical space that you would find in any high-end luxury building. They want aquatics, hydrothermal circuits, classrooms for lifelong learning, and access to nature and art. Older adults want to be around people from all generations. They want to contribute and fe