Age of Aging

At The Age of Aging, we often talk about the importance of physical activity and a healthy diet for brain longevity. However, one of the best things you can do to promote brain health as you age may also seem unlikely: hanging out with your friends.   In this episode, we explore the growing body of research linking social isolation and loneliness to cognitive decline and dementia risk. We’ll hear from older adults navigating loneliness, researchers studying its effects on the brain, and members of a unique housing community designed to help older adults stay connected.  Later, Terrence Casey, Jake Johnson, and Executive Producer Dr. Jason Karlawish reflect on what loneliness looks like in clinical practice, why social isolation can complicate dementia diagnosis and care, and what listeners can do to build stronger social connections throughout their lives.  Inside this episode  5:35 – Social Isolation and Brain Health Dr. Holly Elser explains why social isolation is considered one of the 14 modifiable dementia risk factors and how social connection may help build cognitive reserve.  7:43 – The Dementia Risk of Isolation Dr. Barbara Sahakian discusses research from the UK Biobank showing that socially isolated adults had a 26% increased risk of developing dementia.  11:13 – Grief, Purpose, and Feeling Alone Frank Saar reflects on life after the death of his wife and the challenge of rebuilding a sense of purpose while coping with loneliness.  15:24 – A Community Built for Connection Residents and staff from Morningside Gardens in New York describe how a Naturally Occurring Retirement Community (NORC) helps older adults stay socially engaged, active, and supported.  18:13 – The Social Lives of Healthy Agers Philadelphia artist Jean Lindsay shares how decades of participation in community arts programs helped him build friendships and maintain a sense of purpose.  21:40 – “It’s Okay to Ask for Help” Doris Kitt explains why loneliness is deeply personal and why older adults should seek support when isolation begins to affect their well-being.  24:39 – What Loneliness Looks Like in the Clinic Jason Karlawish discusses how social isolation often appears early in dementia and why clinicians pay close attention to changes in a person's daily routines and social engagement.  34:13 – Finding Your Community Before You Need It Jake and Jason discuss why building meaningful social connections earlier in life may be one of the most powerful investments people can make in their long-term brain health.    Resources available on the episode webpage linked below  Check out the 2024 Lancet Commission on Dementia Prevention, Intervention, and Care infographic outlining the 14 modifiable risk factors for dementia.  More on Barbara Sahakian  Read Dr. Sahakian’s book, Brain Boost  Learn more about Morningside Gardens Retirement and Health Services   Learn more about Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities   Sign up for a class at Fleisher Art Memorial Resources for older adults experiencing loneliness and social isol...

What changes when dementia care becomes personal? In this bonus conversation, neuropsychologist Dr. Emma Rhodes sits down with Penn Memory Center Director of Social Work Alison Lynn to talk about caring for her father with Alzheimer’s disease, balancing caregiving with work, and how the experience has changed the way she sees patients and families. Watch the full interview with video on our YouTube channel Listen to the full episode, "Daughter, Doctor, or Both?"  The Age of Aging is a Penn Memory Center production hosted by Producer Jake Johnson and Executive Producer Jason Karlawish. Contributors include Morgann Adams, Terrence Casey, Dalia Elsaid, Emily Largent, and Allison Lynn.  The Age of Aging is made possible by generous support from the Michael Naidoff Communications Hub Fund and Lena Chow. 

At the Age of Aging, we often speak with researchers and clinicians who have devoted their careers to understanding dementia and caring for the people living with it. Less often, we hear what happens when dementia becomes personal for those same experts.  In this episode, neuropsychologist Dr. Emma Rhodes shares her experience caring for her father, Jack, following his diagnosis of dementia due to Alzheimer's disease. In conversation with Penn Memory Center Director of Social Work Allison Lynn, Emma reflects on grief, stigma, caregiving, and the challenges of navigating life as both a dementia expert and a daughter. Then, Executive Producer Dr. Jason Karlawish and Editorial Director Terrence Casey unpack some of the interview's most powerful moments, connecting Emma's experience to broader lessons about caregiving and dementia care.  Inside this episode  4:18 – Daughter First, Neuropsychologist Second: Emma Rhodes reflects on the challenge of balancing her professional knowledge with the emotional reality of caring for her father.  7:52 – The Uncanny and Ambiguous Loss: Jason Karlawish discusses the profound grief family caregivers experience when a loved one is simultaneously familiar and changed by dementia.  12:45 – When Professional Calm Breaks Down: Jason shares a candid story about losing his composure while trying to help his father manage his finances.  16:03 – Dementia Stigma Firsthand: Emma describes how caring for her father revealed just how difficult and often unwelcoming the world can be for people living with cognitive impairment.  19:48 – Clinicians as Caregivers: Jason and Terrence explore why more healthcare professionals are speaking openly about their personal experiences with dementia in their own families.  28:15 – The Hidden Work of Caregiving: Emma discusses the emotional, logistical, and physical effort required to attend clinic visits, participate in research, and manage day-to-day care.  32:48 – “How Are You Doing?” Jason explains why one of the most important questions a clinician can ask a caregiver is also one of the simplest.  39:26 – “Our Families Are Your Patients Too”: Jason reflects on why healthcare systems must better recognize and support family caregivers as essential partners in dementia care.  Resources available on the episode webpage linked below  Watch the full interview with Dr. Emma Rhodes and Allison Lynn on the Penn Memory Center YouTube channel  Find caregiver support groups through Penn Memory Center   Explore Medicare's GUIDE program  Special thanks to Emma Rhodes, PhD, Allison Lynn, LCSW as well as today's co-hosts, Terrence Casey and Jason Karlawish, MD.  The Age of Aging is a Penn Memory Center production hosted by Producer Jake Johnson and Executive Producer Jason Karlawish. Contributors include Morgann Adams, Terrence Casey, Dalia Elsaid, Emily Largent, and Allison Lynn.  The Age of Aging is made possible by generous support from the Michael Naidoff Communications Hub Fund and Lena Chow. 

What makes a house a home? And what happens when that home no longer works for the person living in it? In this episode, we explore the emotional and practical challenges of downsizing and moving later in life — from letting go of decades of possessions to navigating dementia, family dynamics, and the fear of what comes next.  Inside this episode:  1:06 – Deconstructing Home: Dr. Jason Karlawish explores what makes a home more than just four walls and why dementia can change the way someone experiences their environment.  8:24 – Professional Downsizers: Move managers Susan Blumenfeld and Charlotte Schutzman explain the emotional and logistical challenges of helping older adults decide what stays, what goes, and what their possessions are really worth.  13:19 – 10x Harder: Kristi Mabe shares what it was like to move her own mother into assisted living, and why helping a family member can be much harder than helping a client.  20:56 – “It’s the People, It’s Not the Place”: Mary Ellen Weber shares how moving to a retirement community helped her and her husband find connection, independence, and a richer daily life.  25:00 – Tied to the Mast of Aging in Place: Dr. Karlawish discusses the risks of being too committed to living in one place when a home becomes isolating or no longer meets someone’s needs.  36:36 – Coming Home: Jake and Dr. Karlawish turn to The Odyssey to consider what really makes a place home.  Resources available on the episode webpage linked below  Learn more about New Roots Move Management  Learn more about All Moving Matters  Find a local move management company   Special thanks this episode to Kristi Mabe, Charlotte Schutzman, Susan Blumenfeld, and Mary Ellen Weber, as well as today’s co-host, Jason Karlawish, MD.  The Age of Aging is a Penn Memory Center production hosted by Producer Jake Johnson and Executive Producer Jason Karlawish. Contributors include Morgann Adams, Terrence Casey, Dalia Elsaid, Emily Largent, and Allison Lynn.  The Age of Aging is made possible by generous support from the Michael Naidoff Communications Hub Fund. 

Welcome to our annual summer bonus episode of the Age of Aging, where our Penn Memory Center experts reflect on the latest research from the annual Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC). On today’s episode, Age of Aging Executive Producer and PMC Co-Director Dr. Jason Karlawish sat down with Co-Director Dr. David Wolk and Dr. Chris Brown to unpack their biggest takeaways from their time in London. They discuss everything from new blood-based biomarkers to the latest data on anti-amyloid and tau-targeting therapies as well as what the future of Alzheimer’s treatment may look like.   The Age of Aging will return for Season 6 in September, so please make sure you’re subscribed wherever you get your podcasts, and we’ll see you soon.   Inside this episode:  2:40 – How AAIC Has Changed: The group compares this year's meeting to AAIC 2017 and discusses how the science has shifted to a more clinical focus.  9:26 – Predicting Brain Health: Dr. Brown and Dr. Wolk discuss where p-tau 217 stands as a biomarker as well as new markers like neuronal pentraxin (NPTX) for measuring synaptic health beyond amyloid and tau.   22:42 – The Blood-Brain Barrier: The clinicians provide an update on the two anti-amyloid therapies currently available as well as discuss the brain "shuttle" technology, which appears to significantly improve amyloid clearance and safety.  29:59 – Tau has its Moment: Results from the CELIA antisense oligonucleotide study show a "Goldilocks dose" effect, plus a look at a negative Lilly tau-lowering trial.   35:25 – Closing Highlights & What’s Next: Jason spotlights the LiBBY study, testing a THC/CBD combination for agitation in advanced dementia, before the group previews next year's AAIC 2027 meeting in Chicago.    Resources available on the episode webpage linked below   Learn more about the Alzheimer’s Association and AAIC  Study: "Predicting Risk of Cognitive Impairment With Alzheimer Disease Blood Biomarkers” (JAMA)  Study: “Clinicopathologic Evaluation of Amyloid Clearance in Alzheimer Disease” (JAMA)  “Amyloid removal may reduce tau buildup and neurodegeneration in Alzheimer’s disease” (Penn Medicine)  Press release on Phase 2 of the CELIA Study  Press release on LiBBY Trial  Special thanks this episode to Jason Karlawish, MD, David Wolk, MD, and Christopher Brown, MD, PhD.  If this episode, or another episode, has resonated with you, please subscribe, leave us a review, or share it with somebody who would appreciate it. This makes a real difference in helping others find the show. And if you have a topic you’d like to hear, email us at [email protected].  The Age of Aging is a Penn Memory Center production, hosted by Editorial Director Terrence Casey and Producer Jake Johnson. Contributors include Morgann Adams, Dalia Elsaid, Jason Karlawish, Emily Largent, Alison Lynn, and Mischa Norton.   The show is made possible by generous support from the Michael Naidoff Communications Hub Fund and Lena Chow.