This is Growing Old
At this very moment, no matter where we are, we all have one thing in common—from the moment we are born, we are getting older. The experience of aging brings each of us challenges as well as adventures. And if we’re lucky, our lives will tell a tale that we can share to help others on their path.
The Alliance for Aging Research has encountered hundreds of inspiring people in its quest to promote healthy aging, and we want you to meet them! Join the Alliance as we interview these changemakers in our podcast, This is Growing Old. Stay tuned for new episodes every other Wednesday.
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Podcast Episodes
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48: Celebrating Mental Heath Awareness Month with Geriatric Neuropsychiatrist Dr. Dilip Jeste
May is Mental Health Awareness Month as well as Older Americans Month. This critical intersection implores us to explore emotional, psychological, and social-well being as we age. Here to join us for this conversation is Dr. Dilip Jeste, professor of psychiatry and Director of the Sam and Rose Stein Institute for Research on Aging at UC San Diego. Dr. Jeste is a geriatric neuropsychiatrist who specializes in mental health and well-being with age.
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47: Living with Atrial Fibrillation with Mellanie True Hills
In this episode, we are joined by Mellanie True Hills, Afib survivor and the CEO and founder of StopAfib.org to discuss the risks, symptoms and impact that atrial fibrillation can have your daily life.
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46: Raising Awareness With Valve Disease Day Partner Karyne Jones
On February 22 we’ll be hosting our sixth annual Heart Valve Disease Awareness Day, a conference dedicated to increasing recognition of the specific risks and symptoms of heart valve disease, improve detection and treatment, and ultimately save lives. Valve Disease Day would not be possible without the more than 100 partners who have joined the campaign to lend their voices. Among the incredible organizations that we’ve partnered with is the National Caucus and Center on Black Aging, the only national organization devoted solely to providing effective leadership in making minority participation in aging services a national issue and priority.
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45: David Farber Weighs in on CMS’ Recent National Coverage Determination Proposal
On January 11th, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services released an NCD proposal that would require “coverage with evidence development” for monoclonal antibody therapies aimed at amyloid for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. CMS’ coverage determination is deeply troubling, as it restricts Medicare recipient access to critical treatment.
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44: NFID Medical Director William Schaffner, MD Shares Vital Vaccine Info
The CDC has recommended COVID-19 boosters for many Americans and has also approved co-administration of COVID-19 vaccines with other vaccines. Though many Americans have received their COVID-19 boosters and their flu shots this Winter, there are many questions about co-administration and vaccine hesitancy remains. Here to answer some common questions about co-administration, dispel myths, and share tips to keep older adults protected against all vaccine-preventable diseases is National Foundation for Infectious Diseases’ Medical Director, Dr. William Schaffner.
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43: Alliance Board Chair Jim Scott Shares This Year’s Top Stories in Aging and Health
It’s hard to believe that 2021 is almost over. As we prepare for the new year, it’s important to look back and reflect on the year that we’ve just had. Jim Scott, Chair of the Alliance for Aging Research’s Board of Directors, joins Alliance President and CEO Sue Peschin to reflect on the year’s top stories in aging and health.
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42: How to Make a Difference this Holiday Season with Meals on Wheels
Colder weather is upon us, and that means that many older adults may be isolated at home. Here to talk about how Meals on Wheels is making a difference is Meals on Wheels President and CEO Ellie Hollander.
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41: Fighting Ageism with Activist and Author Ashton Applewhite
At the Alliance for Aging Research, we are all about helping people live longer, happier, more productive lives. Unfortunately, ageism in our society can be a huge barrier to healthy aging. Here to talk about ageism is Ashton Applewhite, an activist and author who wrote This Chair Rocks: A Manifesto Against Ageism.
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40: Addressing Out-of-Pocket Costs for Older Adults with PAN Foundation’s Amy Niles
Being able to afford out-of-pocket prescription drug medications is a problem for millions of Americans, especially older adults. Every year, Medicare beneficiaries pay on average over 3,200 in out-of-pocket expenses for prescription drugs. For an older adult on a fixed income, this is no small chunk of change. Alliance for Aging Research Vice President of Public Policy Michael Ward is joined by Amy Niles, Executive Vice President of the PAN Foundation to talk about why out-of-pocket costs are so high, the real-world impacts of growing out-of-pocket costs for older adults, and what we can do about it.
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39: Living with Early Onset Alzheimer’s Disease: Patient Advocate Jay Reinstein Shares his Story
Jay Reinstein is a graduate of the Alliance’s Talk NERDY to Me program, which trains older adult on patient-centered outcomes research and the clinical trials process. Jay, who has early-onset Alzheimer’s disease, shares his story this Alzheimer’s Awareness Month.
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38: What is Geroscience? Dr. Felipe Sierra, International Advocate for Geroscience, Explains.
Dr. Felipe Sierra is an internationally known research leader and advocate in the field of geroscience. He is also the former director of the National Institute on Aging’s Division of Aging Biology. Alliance for Aging Research President and CEO Sue Peschin talks with Dr. Sierra about geroscience and the upcoming Euro-Geroscience conference, which he is chairing.