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

26: Shaking the Stigma of Neuropsychiatric Symptoms with Dr. Jeffrey Cummings

Diseases and injuries that damage the brain can impact how we interact with the world and lead to significant and disabling behavioral and psychological symptoms, which are also referred to as neuropsychiatric symptoms. Here to talk about neuropsychiatric symptoms and the challenges they present is Dr. Jeffrey Cummings. Dr. Jeffrey Cummings is the Joy Chambers-Grundy Professor of Brain Science, an endowed professorship at the University of Nevada Las Vegas. He is the Director of the Chambers-Grundy Center for Transformative Neuroscience, a center devoted to using the tools of neuroscience and neurologic drug development to transform people’s lives.

25: How COVID-19 Has Impacted Minorities with Dr. Gary Puckrein

The COVID-19 pandemic has been especially devastating for people of color. Minority groups are more likely to get severely sick and die from COVID-19. Additionally, Black Americans are getting vaccinated at a slower rate than whites. Here to talk about these disparities and how we can work to overcome them is Gary Puckrein, President and CEO of the National Minority Quality Forum.

24: Improving the Current Body of Evidence on Dementia Care with Dr. Eric Larson

According to a new report from The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, the current body of evidence on dementia care does not reflect the experiences of diverse populations.

23: Bonus Episode: This Policy Would Have a Catastrophic Impact on Alzheimer’s Disease Research

In this special bonus episode, Alliance President and CEO Sue Peschin discusses how implementing international reference pricing in the U.S. would decimate the clinical development of therapies for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias with Vital Transformation’s Managing Director Duane Schulthess.

22: Speaking Out Against Discrimination in Healthcare with Terry Wilcox

Age or possible disability does not impact the value of a human life. Unfortunately, the Institute of Clinical and Economic Review, or ICER, produces recommendations on how much new drugs should cost based on these same considerations—age or possible disability.\

21: Fighting COVID-19 Vaccine Myths featuring Dr. Todd Wolynn

What can YOU do to fight against COVID-19 vaccine disinformation and misinformation on social media? Alliance President and CEO Sue Peschin talks with Dr. Todd Wolynn about best practices for dispelling myths about vaccines.

20: Nutrition and Healthy Aging Featuring Bob Blancato

How does nutrition play a role in promoting healthy aging, and how can we use nutrition to improve our health? And what are some barriers that older adults face when it comes to nutrition? Here to talk about the importance of nutrition for healthy aging and to address some of these questions is Bob Blancato, Executive Director of the National Association of Nutrition and Aging Services Programs.

19: David Farber Explains How International Reference Pricing Would Impact Older Adult‪s

What is international reference pricing, and how would it impact older adults and their access to prescription drugs? David Farber, a partner at King & Spalding LLP, explains in this episode hosted by Alliance for Aging Research Vice President of Public Policy Michael Ward.

18: Martha Taggart, BrightFocus Science Writer: Raising Awareness of a Leading Cause of Vision Loss for Older Americans

In recognition of Age-Related Macular Degeneration Awareness Month, Sue Peschin talks with Martha Taggart, a science writer for the BrightFocus Foundation, about age-related macular degeneration, or AMD, an eye disease that is a leading cause of vision loss in older Americans.

17: John Lewis, Executive Director of Heart Valve Voice US: Raising Awareness of Heart Valve Disease

February 22 marks the fifth annual Heart Valve Disease Awareness Day, a day dedicated to spotlighting the importance of detecting and treating heart valve disease. Valve Disease Day would not be possible without the 90 partners who have joined the campaign to lend their voices to the effort to raise awareness about heart valve disease. One of those partners is Heart Valve Voice US. On this episode of the podcast, Alliance for Aging Research Vice President of Health Education and Advocacy Lindsay Clarke speaks with John Lewis, Executive Director of Heart Valve Voice US, about how the organization is raising awareness of heart valve disease. We’re looking forward to celebrating this year with a Valve Disease Day virtual celebration, a Facebook Live, a Twitter chat, and more. Please visit https://www.valvediseaseday.org to see how you can get involved.

16: A Special New Year’s Message from Alliance President and CEO Sue Peschin

What does 2021 have in store for the Alliance for Aging Research and older adults in general? In this first episode of season 2 and 2021, Alliance President and CEO Sue Peschin shares her thoughts on the new year.

15: Fraternal Order of Real Bearded Santas: Bringing Joy to a Tough Year

On the season finale of This is Growing Old, Sue Peschin talks with Fraternal Order of Real Bearded Santas Chairman Ric Erwin and President Bob Callahan about why Santas would make for good messengers for promoting the COVID-19 vaccine, how Santas are bringing hope during a difficult year, and why they say real beards are better.

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