Always Aging Ahead

In this episode, we explore the world of aging and dementia-related care through the lens of the Alzheimer's Association’s education, awareness, and support programs. These initiatives aim to provide hope and empowerment for individuals living with dementia and their loved ones.Our guest, Sarah Lovegreen, Vice President of Programs at the Alzheimer's Association of Greater Missouri, shares how her public health background has influenced the organization's approach to care and outreach. We also spotlight behind-the-scenes initiatives that may not be as visible to the public, including collaborative efforts with health systems and long-term care communities to promote person-centered care.Resources MentionedAlzheimer's Association's 24/7 Informational Resource Helpline: (800) 272-3900 Upcoming Events MentionedWalk to End Alzheimer'sSt. Charles: September 27Jefferson County & Arnold: October 11St. Louis County: October 25Find a walk near you HEREResearch Breakfast and KickoffMay 7, 7:30 AM, Festus, MOCHOICE Program with Aging AheadManaging Money: A Caregiver's Guide to FinanceMay 2 from 10 AM-11 AM at Lewis & Clark LibraryRegister HERE, or call the library at (314) 994-3300On-demand Training ProgramsLearn more at training.alz.org or call the Helpline at (800) 272-3900 Get InvolvedThe Alzheimer's Association offers a variety of volunteer opportunities for those who want to make a difference. Explore opportunities HERE  If you need assistance and you or your family member resides in St. Louis, St. Charles, Franklin, or Jefferson County, please call 800-243-6060. For more information about Aging Ahead, including upcoming programs, additional resources, and getting involved, like how to volunteer or donate, please check out our website at agingahead.org.  You can find us on Facebook, X, and Instagram @agingahead

Guest host Anna Kappel, an intern at Aging Ahead, sits down with Chloe Amstutz, Caitlin Frazee, and Katie Steiner, Graduate Social Work Students at Saint Louis University. Together, they explore what inspired them to work with older adults, what a typical day looks like as asocial work practicum student, and the importance of self-care. They also discuss how communities can support their older adults. Join us for this insightful conversation! If you need assistance and you or your family memberreside in St. Louis, St. Charles, Franklin, or Jefferson County, please call 800-243-6060. For more information about Aging Ahead, including upcoming programs, additional resources, and getting involved–like how to volunteer ordonate, please check out our website at agingahead.org. You can find us on Facebook, X, and Instagram @agingahead.

Join us for a conversation with Lydia Franklin, Aging Ahead's Volunteer Coordinator, and Stephanie Patrick, Aging Ahead's Public Information Specialist, as we explore leadership volunteer roles, public outreach efforts, and other volunteer opportunities within the Agency. In particular, we’ll dive into the Ambassador program and how our dedicated volunteers collaborate to educate and expand our network! If you or a family member reside in St. Louis, St. Charles, Franklin, or Jefferson County and need assistance, please call 800-243-6060. For more information about Aging Ahead, including upcoming programs, resources, and opportunities to volunteer or donate, visit our website at agingahead.org. Stay connected with us on Facebook, X, and Instagram @AgingAhead.

Kerri sits down with MJ Grothe, Aging Ahead's Manager of Senior Centers, and together they discuss mission-driven vocations and reflect on how the past helps humanity propel forward...all with a sense of humor. Join us! If you need assistance and you or your family member reside in St. Louis, St. Charles, Franklin, or Jefferson County, please call 800-243-6060. For more information about Aging Ahead, including upcoming programs, additional resources, and getting involved like how to volunteer or donate, please check out our website at agingahead.org. You can find us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @agingahead. Thank you for listening, and remember, we are Always Aging Ahead with you!

Kerri speaks with Aging Ahead's Supervisor of Contracted Services, Katie Stacy, to learn more about the Veteran's Directed Care (VDC) program. Along the way, they discuss the personal impact they feel from working with vulnerable populations. If you need assistance and you or your family member reside in St. Louis, St. Charles, Franklin, or Jefferson County, please call 800-243-6060. For more information about Aging Ahead and the work we do, including upcoming programs, additional resources, and getting involved--like how to volunteer or donate, please check out our website at agingahead.org. you can find us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @agingahead

Kerri attends Aging Ahead's Y'S CHOICE program at the Edward Jones Family YMCA and discusses the importance of community and programs like Y's CHOICE with participants of the program. You'll hear from Shirley, Lawrence, Jo, Ethel, Ronald, Glenda, Sharon, Joanne, and our Y's CHOICE Resource Center Administrator, Jacki. To learn more about Aging Ahead's CHOICE programs, visit our CHOICE page on our website. Join us! If you need assistance and you or your family member reside in St. Louis, St. Charles, Franklin, or Jefferson County, please call 800-243-6060. For more information about Aging Ahead and the work we do, including upcoming programs, additional resources, and getting involved--like how to volunteer or donate, please check out our website at agingahead.org. you can find us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @agingahead

Kerri sits down with Emily Harrow, Supervisor of Community Programs, to discuss the importance of community, intergenerational programming, and Aging Ahead's CHOICE program. If you are interested in becoming a presenter for CHOICE, please visit our website and fill out the short application to Become a Presenter. If you're an older adult interested in participating in the CHOICE program, please click here. If you need assistance and you or your family member reside in St. Louis, St. Charles, Franklin, or Jefferson County, please call 800-243-6060. For more information about Aging Ahead and the work we do, including upcoming programs, additional resources, and getting involved--like how to volunteer or donate, please check out our website at agingahead.org. you can find us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @agingahead

This time Kerri has conversations about Aging Ahead's Meals on Wheels program with people that receive home-delivered meals. She speaks with Fred, Marilyn, and her own grandmother, and together, they laugh, talk about life, and what it means to them to receive a home-delivered meal. Join us! If you need assistance and you or your family member reside in St. Louis, St. Charles, Franklin, or Jefferson County, please call 800-243-6060. For more information about Aging Ahead and the work we do, including upcoming programs, additional resources, and getting involved--like how to volunteer or donate, please check out our website at agingahead.org. you can find us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @agingahead

Kerri speaks with Brooke Grubb, Lynne Steinman, and Sherry Payne to learn more about Aging Ahead's Nutrition and Meals on Wheels Program. Brooke, a licensed dietician breaks down the process of nutritional counseling and designing meals and menus to meet the needs of older adults. Lynne and Sherry discuss their experience working and serving our clients, and what it means to be able to provide meal service to those who need it.  If you need assistance and you or your family member reside in St. Louis, St. Charles, Franklin, or Jefferson County, please call 800-243-6060. For more information about Aging Ahead, including upcoming programs, additional resources, and getting involved--like how to volunteer or donate, please check out our website at agingahead.org You can find us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @agingahead

Happy Holidays! Here, at Aging Ahead, to age is to celebrate. In this episode, you will hear from Aging Ahead participants, volunteers, and staff, all reflecting on the gifts of aging. It's a gift to Always be Aging Ahead with all of you!  Thank you to our special guests: Glenna, Barbra, Gina, Joane, Marcia, Carol, Levon, Paula, Sarah, Susan, Tina, Diane, Tommy, Lisa, and Jan for sharing their gifts of aging with us. If you need assistance and you or your family member reside in St. Louis, St. Charles, Franklin, or Jefferson County, please call 800-243-6060. For more information about Aging Ahead, including upcoming programs, additional resources, and getting involved--like how to volunteer or donate, please check out our website at agingahead.org You can find us on facebook, twitter, and Instagram @agingahead

School was in session this fall! We partnered up with Lindenwood University’s Wellness Inspired Senior Education (or WISE) program and launched Cyber Seniors, connecting college students with older adults who want to learn more about technology and how to use their devices. Cyber Seniors is an internationally recognized program that bridges the digital divide and connects generations through tech. Thank you so much to Annie Alameda, Whitley Huxhold, Meredith Pool, Katie Schoff, our special guests, Amy, Carmen, Sheryl, Grace, Margaret, Izzy, Frank, Kennedy, Carol, Louella, McKaleigh, Sharon, & Barbra, and all of the students and participants that made this program so special! If you need assistance and you or your family member reside in St. Louis, St. Charles, Franklin, or Jefferson County, please call 800-243-6060. For more information about Aging Ahead, including upcoming programs, additional resources, getting involved like how to volunteer or donate, please check out our website at agingahead.org.

Kerri speaks with dedicated volunteers that work throughout our four service counties. Together, we discuss personal volunteer stories and how volunteering is much more than just an activity--it's a bridge that connects people across all generations to their community. The impact of our incredible volunteers is far-reaching. Join us! We need your help! Please visit our volunteer page to learn all about the exciting and impactful ways to become an Aging Ahead volunteer!  Want to see firsthand what it's like to be an Aging Ahead volunteer from actual volunteers? Check out our Volunteer Video! A big THANK YOU goes out to Angie, Mary, Carolyn, Dan, Susan, and Levon for sharing their volunteer stories with us. 

Kerri speaks with Laura Conners, Aging Ahead's Volunteer Coordinator. Together, they discuss exciting volunteer opportunities, and the impact our dedicated volunteers create throughout our community!  Please visit our volunteer page to learn all about the exciting and impactful ways to become an Aging Ahead volunteer! We need your help!  Want to see firsthand what it's like to be an Aging Ahead volunteer from actual volunteers? Check out our Volunteer Video!

Kerri speaks with older adults that regularly attend Aging Ahead senior centers at the Washington, South County, Quad Cities, and St. Charles locations.  Aging Ahead is proud to operate 19 community senior centers located throughout St. Louis, St. Charles, Jefferson, and Franklin counties. These locations serve as focal points and provide a plethora of resources, social activities, and wellness programs to the aging population. Everyone’s story is different with unique journeys, but a universal theme was that people—no matter what age—crave a sense of community, and finding that community—having a place to feel safe and connected to others—is invaluable. Join us!  A huge THANK YOU to Diane, Tommy, Barbra, Gina, Joane, Marcia, Glenna, Carol, Jean, Paula, Sarah, and Toni for sharing their stories.  For more information about Aging Ahead, please visit our website, https://www.agingahead.org

Kerri discusses the importance of senior center focal points in the aging community with four of Aging Ahead's center administrators.  Aging Ahead is proud to operate 19 community senior centers located throughout St. Louis, St. Charles, Jefferson, and Franklin counties. These locations serve as focal points and provide a plethora of resources, social activities, and wellness programs to the aging population. In Part I, Kerri discusses the importance of these focal points with Debbie (Washington), Pam (South County), Bernita (Quad Cities), and Tina (St. Charles).  For more information about Aging Ahead, please visit our website, https://www.agingahead.org/ 

Jan Keith, Aging Ahead's Director of Community Engagement, joins Kerri this month to discuss the important role Silver Haired Legislature (SHL) and advocacy play in the world of aging. Join the discussion to learn more about the work of SHL, their 2022 priorities, and how to get involved with advocating for older adults in Missouri. For more resources and information, visit our website agingahead.org 

Kerri is joined by Margi Valleroy, Anton Clark, and Bridget Gittemeier, of the Aging Ahead COS department and discusses the importance and variety of supportive services we offer to the public. Each aging journey is completely unique, and the COS department is excited to assist and provide manageable solutions to meet the needs of older adult individuals throughout our service area. For more information about the supportive services that COS can help with, please visit the Community Options & Services page on our website.   

Kerri discusses topics of inclusion with Sherrill Wayland, Director of Special Initiatives at SAGE, and with Jeffrey Blair, co-owner and founder of EyeSeeMe.  SAGE is a national organization that works to achieve a high quality of life for LGBTQ+ older adults, supports and advocates for their rights, and fosters a greater understanding of aging in all communities. For more information, visit sageusa.org, or call 877-360-LGBT.  EyeSeeMe is a local African-American bookstore that's mission is to reflect and uplift diverse voices in literature. For more information about EyeSeeMe, please visit eyeseeme.com For Missouri voter information, please visit the Secretary of State's website at www.sos.mo.gov or by calling 573-751-4936.  To contact your local voting authority office: In St Louis County, call 314-615-VOTE In St Charles County, call 636-949-7550 In Franklin County, call 636-583-6355 In Jefferson County, call 636-797-5486 Ext. 2

Welcome to the Always Aging Ahead podcast brought to you by Aging Ahead, an Area Agency on Aging that serves older adults residing in the counties of St. Louis, St. Charles, Jefferson, and Franklin in Missouri! We are thrilled to expand our reach to support more individuals through the journey of aging. We will have conversations about the aging community, share important resources, discuss critical services, and have a blast while doing it! Join us on our journey. We are Always Aging Ahead.  For more information about Aging Ahead, please visit our website, https://www.agingahead.org/