The Art of Aging: Recent Episodes
Ruth Frost Parker Center
The Art of Aging seeks to provide information and inspiration on how to improve our lives as we grow older. This podcast is produced by the Dayton Foundation Encore Fellows Initiative and the Ruth Frost Parker Center of Abundant Aging.
Do you want to extend your life? How can technology improve your life? Dr. Tracy Trothen researches the ethics of advanced technologies. She joins us to talk about gene editing, mind uploading, restorative technologies such as cochlear implants, and stem cell research. What questions are raised when we use technology to pursue a longer, more perfect life?
Dr. Trothen is an author and faculty member at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario. She will be the keynote speaker at the Ruth Frost Parker Center’s Fall Symposium on September 30th.
https://www.unitedchurchhomes.org/2022-annual-symposium/
Religion and the Technological Future by Calvin Mercer and Tracy Trothen
What can we learn from talking to a recently retired geriatrician? In this episode we meet Cynthia Olsen who recently retired from a career in geriatrics medicine. She talks about how older patients differ from younger patients, issues of ageism among medical students, polypharmacy, new medical innovations that benefit the elderly and much more.
This month we meet another "aging hero." Mary Tyler has worked with United Way programs all over the United States, been a community activist and social justice researcher, and continues to pursue higher education into her retirement. Join us to learn more about Mary.
Our co-host Reverend Beth Long-Higgins shares some insights about the non-financial aspects of retirement. Many people find that after retiring, they have not taken time to reflect on the potential ways their lives will change. Beth offers her experience and some of the latest research by Ken Dyctwald and Edward Jones Investments. She also shares insights from Joe Coughlin of the MIT AgeLab and Laura Carstensen of the Stanford Center on Longevity.
Recently, Beth has also participated in teaching the online course NEXTSTEPS: MIDLIFE AND BEYOND. For more information about this course, click on this link to the Ruth Frost Parker Center website:
https://www.unitedchurchhomes.org/parker-center/seminars-and-conferences/next-steps-prelude/
Rachel Gut, who is the Deputy Executive Director of the Dayton Metro Library is our guest for this episode. Rachel shares some of the extraordinary services her library provides older adults. Listen, and take some time to explore what your own local library offers in terms of movies, audio books, volunteer opportunities, research assistance and services to help those with special needs.
LeadingAge Ohio is a not-for-profit association that represents over 400 long term care organizations who provide hospice, housing, nursing and ancillary services for older adults throughout the state. Kathryn Brod tells the story of how the approach to this care has evolved to become less restrictive, providing patients with more control over their care. LeadingAge has helped to lobby for better pay and conditions for employees, in response to the staff shortages that face all medical services during the Covid pandemic. She also shares some strategies for addressing employee shortages.
As a new feature, we are offering a book review of Atul Gawande's "Being Mortal", a must read for anyone who is aging during this era of increased lifespans. The author defines what conversations we must have in a world where the treatment may be worse than the disease.
Many people find themselves looking for employment and volunteer opportunities after retirement that match their skillset. In this episode, we will talk to the initiators of the Silver Is Gold website in Dayton, OH. We will hear from some of the job seekers, employers and organizers of this venture. As this concept grows, it is hoped that other communities will adopt this platform.
For more information: Silver Is Gold
In this two-part episode, we explore the role of service coordinators in independent living facilities. In part two, we meet Natalynne Baker, Vice President of Resident Services at St. Mary’s Development Corporation in Dayton, Ohio. St. Mary’s has helped to build 65 apartment communities for low income residents across Southwest, Ohio. Natalynne shares how her service coordinators are able to draw upon a rich variety of resources, that are available in a mid-sized city.
St. Mary Development Corporation
In this two-part episode, we explore the role of service coordinators in independent living facilities. In part one, we meet Kim Yoder the Manager of United Church Homes Engage and Barbara Rose, the service coordinator for UCH Shawnee Springs. Together they tell the story of how service coordination helps residents in UCH independent living facilities remain independent for as long as possible. Service coordinators connect residents with home health aides, transportation, meal delivery, and expert advice on Medicaid and other issues. Shawnee Springs is an independent living facility in Bellefontaine, a small town in northwest Ohio.
Dr. Jamie Mitchell, an Associate Professor at the University of Michigan School of Social Work, shares research she has done in effective communication between doctors and African American men. She explains how poor communication and confidence in the health care system, can impact prostate cancer patients, vaccination rates and general healthcare outcomes of African American patients. Her studies of video records of doctor/patient interactions illustrate how this communication can be improved.
Jamie Mitchell, Ph.D. University of Michigan
Leslie Gold, an accomplished radio host and producer, shares some of the stories behind the subjects of her new podcast, A Life's Story. Her subjects are all over 85, some over 100. The stories push back on ageist myths and stereotypes, inspiring us to see aging in new ways.
A Life's Story Podcast Link
What happens when a 64 year old man decides to through hike over 2000 miles of the Appalachian Trail? In this episode, we meet David Rough who was inspired to take on this challenge as a way to raise money for Dayton Christian Schools. Take this journey with David and find out what he learned about himself, and what he wants others to know about setting ambitious goals as we age.
More information about David's book: Hike It Forward
Bobbie McKay was called to the ministry during the 1960s when it was rare for a woman to be ordained in the Methodist Church. Not to be deterred, she was ordained and went on to have a career that included pastoral counseling, starting an experimental church and pursuing a major research study on "God Experiences" that she partnered with George Gallup to complete. In this episode, our co-host Rev. Beth Long-Higgins invited her own pastor, Rev. Beth Gedert to discuss their backgrounds as pastors, in light of three generations of female clergy.
In this episode, we will meet Susan McFadden, author of Dementia Friendly Communities: Why We Need Them and How We Can Create Them. Susan shares her years of research in how communities in England and the U.S. have made life more manageable for persons with dementia, and their caregivers. She shares many stories about strategies that work, how better to cope with this diagnosis, and how her community in Fox Valley, Wisconsin has adapted to better serve the needs of persons with dementia. We also talked with her husband John, about how they have pioneered a concept they call, Memory Camp.
Dementia Friendly Communities
Palliative care is a team approach to supporting patients with serious illness. In this episode, we meet Dr. Stacie Levine, who is the founder of the palliative care program at the University of Chicago Medical Center. Dr. Levine explains the importance of palliative care in helping patients and their families cope with the the symptoms and emotional impact of serious or terminal illness.
More about Dr. Levine: Stacie Levine, MD
How likely is it that you will need long term care in your future? What are the factors that you need to take into consideration? In this episode, we talk to Dr. Robert Applebaum, who is the Director of the Long Term Care Research Project, at the Scripps Gerontology Center at Miami University. Dr. Applebaum talks about how long term care has changed, what the options are, and what are the issues to consider about covering the cost.
For more information: Scripps Gerontology Center
In this episode, we learn about the Threshold Choir movement. Threshold Choirs help people during the transition between life and death, or during severe illness. We will meet Kate Munger, the founder of the Threshold Choir movement and hear from two women who are veteran choir members.
For more information and to see a video of a Threshold Choir: Threshold Choir
In this episode, we meet Elizabeth Lokon, founder of Opening Minds Through Art (OMA). OMA, which is based at the Scripps Gerontology Center at Miami University of Ohio, provides a research based arts program for people with dementia. This intergenerational program is being used in over 200 facilities across the U.S. and Canada.
In our second segment, we will visit the memory neighborhood at Trinity Community at Beavercreek, and hear about how OMA has impacted their residents. Amy Kotterman, Director of Customer Experience for United Church Homes, tells the story.
Finally, we hear the story of Jenny Haack, an artist who did art with a person with dementia who was still at home.
Opening Minds Through Art
In honor of Black History Month, we hear the story of Dr. John Fleming, who grew up during the 1960’s civil rights era, protesting at lunch counters and marching from Selma to Montgomery. Early in life, he developed a dream of becoming a missionary in Africa. After traveling to Malawi with the Peace Corps, John became disillusioned with the character of the missionary work he saw there. He then went on to get his Ph.D. at Howard University, working with some of the top researchers in the field of Black history. After 5 years of post-graduate work, he was recruited to start the National African American Museum and Cultural Center at Wilberforce, Oh. This project led to him being recruited to start museums in Cincinnati, Mississippi and most recently the National Museum of African American Music in Nashville.
For information about the latest museum developed by Dr. Fleming: National Museum of African American Music
Other museums developed by Dr. Fleming: National Underground Railroad Freedom Center
Mississippi Civil Rights Museum
National Afro-American Museum and Cultural Center
In this episode we meet Rev. Scott and Rev. Karen Griswold. Scott talks about his diagnosis of Alzheimer's and the steps he and his wife Karen have taken to understand and prepare for his future.
In the second part, journalist Diane Chiddister talks with her friend Susan an author and poet about her poem, "Extra People in the House." Susan's poem describes a sense of confusion she had one morning brought on by her short term memory loss.
In this episode, we look at a number of technologies that can significantly improve our lives. First we talk to Debbie about her enthusiasm for Stitch.net – a website for people over 50, that she uses to make friends. Then we hear from Frances about Nesterly, a new program that is being used in Boston and Columbus, to carefully match older people who have space in their home, with younger people who need a more affordable place to live. John and Beth talk about food delivery apps such as Instacart, and transportation apps such as Uber and Lyft. Next we hear how Allen uses his Apple Watch in multiple ways to make life safer, more efficient and fun. And finally, we hear from Frieda about how she is helping to implement the use of smart speakers such as the Amazon Echo Dot, to improve the lives of older low income residents.
Stu Maddux produced the film "Gen Silent" ten years ago, about the unique fears many older LGBT people have, about entering an assisted care facility. In this episode, Stu reflects on the making of the film.
For more information about the film: Gen Silent
In this episode, we decided to hear the remarkable life story of Al Schleuter - a man who was born in Ferguson, MO in 1940. Al never met an African American until he was an adult, but he went on to devote his life to racial and economic justice. During the Civil Rights era in the mid sixties, Al taught at Tougaloo College in Tougaloo, Mississippi (an historically black College founded by the United Church of Christ in 1869). Later in life he taught in three African countries, spending many years supporting schools in Rwanda after the genocide. Al has really mastered, "The Art of Aging."
In this episode, we explore various ways people benefit from intergenerational relationships, including a church congregation that has successfully drawn parishioners of all ages, an adult day care that works with an early childhood daycare, a retired man who mentors an 18 year old boy, and a retired woman who volunteers for a "Homework Helper" program at her local library.
In this episode, we will be talking to Katie White, director of Age Friendly Columbus about the first four years of their efforts to establish Columbus, Ohio as an "age Friendly community". Katie will share how they have begun to implement many of the eight domains outlined by the World Health Organization in coordination with AARP. Age Friendly Columbus is one of the most successful age friendly communities in the U.S.
For more information: Age Friendly Columbus
The Village to Village Network, begun in Beacon Hill Boston, has spread worldwide. A Village is a neighborhood community that is organized around providing support for older citizens' needs. Village members live in their homes an average of two years longer than non-members. Columbus Ohio has four villages and is in the process of building villages citywide.
For more information: The Columbus Village Network