GSA on Aging

Science and Storytelling: Older Adults and Housing: Perspectives on the Past, Present, and Future

In this episode, Len Fishman, JD, the newly retired Director of the Gerontology Institute at the University of Massachusetts Boston, visits with hosts Danielle A. Waldron, PhD, and Jo-Ana D. Chase, PhD, to reflect on pivotal moments he watched unfold in field of aging during his fruitful career. Fishman shares his thoughts on the introduction of assisted living in the United States and what these new living options meant for older adults, the nursing home industry, and other relevant stakeholders. He identifies activists behind this effort as well as the meaning behind this cultural shift toward less restrictive, more independent housing options for older adults. After reviewing the past, he envisions how future directions in housing and health care may enhance the lives of older adults.  
Guest:  Len Fishman, JD (Bio)
Hosts:  Jo-Ana D. Chase, PhD, APRN-BC (Bio)—Associate Professor, University of Missouri Sinclair School of Nursing; and Danielle A. Waldron, PhD (Bio)—Assistant Professor, Healthcare Administration Department at Stonehill College in North Easton, Massachusetts.
This podcast episode is supported by the GSA Innovation Fund: 75th Anniversary. 

Science and Storytelling: Rural Aging

In the United States, 10 million older adults live in rural communities. Rural older adults often face unique health disparities related to limited finances, public transportation, and access to health and support services. However, describing challenges alone does not address health disparities. Improving the health of rural people requires community input and innovation to tackle the social determinants of health. In this episode, podcast co-hosts Dr. Juanita-Dawne Bacsu along with doctoral candidate Rita Xiaochen Hu and doctoral student Kaleigh Ligus sit down with Dr. Carrie Henning-Smith for a conversation about rural aging and some key challenges and actions for moving forward. 
Guest:  Carrie Henning-Smith, PhD, MPH, MSW (Bio)—Associate Professor in the Division of Health Policy and Management at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health.
Hosts:  Juanita-Dawne Bacsu, PhD (Bio)—Postdoctoral Fellow, Rural Dementia Action Research Team, University of Saskatchewan, and Research Associate, Saskatchewan Population Health and Evaluation Research Unit, University of Regina, Canada; Rita Xiaochen Hu, MSW (Bio)—Doctoral Candidate in Social Work and Psychology, University of Michigan; Kaleigh Ligus, MA (Bio)—Doctoral Student, University of Connecticut.
This podcast episode is supported by the GSA Innovation Fund: 75th Anniversary. 

Science and Storytelling: Mentorship in the Field of Aging

Mentorship plays an important role in our professional and personal development. Mentors guide us, connect us, and advise us as we navigate the path towards our goals. In this episode, Dr. Keith E. Whitfield shares his mentorship experiences, both as a mentor and mentee, in the field of aging. Listen in to hear more about how mentorship has shaped one of the most distinguished careers in aging.
Guest:  Keith E. Whitfield, PhD, FGSA (Bio)—President, University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
Hosts:  Jo-Ana D. Chase, PhD, APRN-BC (Bio)—Associate Professor, University of Missouri Sinclair School of Nursing; and Danielle A. Waldron, PhD (Bio)—Assistant Professor, Healthcare Administration Department at Stonehill College in North Easton, Massachusetts.
This podcast episode is supported by the GSA Innovation Fund: 75th Anniversary.

Science and Storytelling: Stigma of Dementia

Stigma of dementia is one of the greatest barriers for people living with dementia and their care partners. It can lead to low self-esteem, poor mental health, and a decreased quality of life. Research shows that older adults fear dementia more than cancer, stroke, and heart disease combined. Despite this knowledge, few studies focus on actions to improve understanding and reduce stigma of dementia. In this episode, Dr. Marc Viger sits down with podcast host Dr. Juanita-Dawne Bacsu to chat about stigma of dementia and discuss some key actions for challenging this issue and improving the quality of life for people living with dementia and their care partners. 
Guest:  Marc Viger, MD (Bio)—Family Physician and Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan, Canada. 
Host:  Juanita-Dawne Bacsu, PhD (Bio)—Postdoctoral Fellow, Rural Dementia Action Research Team, University of Saskatchewan, and Research Associate, Saskatchewan Population Health and Evaluation Research Unit, University of Regina, Canada. 
This podcast episode is supported by the GSA Innovation Fund: 75th Anniversary. 

Science and Storytelling: In Sickness and in Health: Romantic Relationships, Health, and Well-Being

Most of us know we should exercise and eat well for optimal health but caring for our social relationships also benefits our physical, mental, and cognitive health. In this episode, Dr. Christine Proulx sits down with host Hanamori Skoblow to discuss how positive relationships protect and negative relationships strain. They also discuss the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on close relationships and Dr. Proulx’s path from first-generation college student to GSA fellow—a recognition of outstanding work in gerontology. 
Guest:  Christine M. Proulx, PhD, FGSA (Bio)—Associate Professor, Department of Human Development and Family Science, University of Missouri. 
Host:  Hanamori F. Skoblow, MS (Bio)—Doctoral Student in Human Development and Family Science, University of Missouri. 
This podcast episode is supported by the GSA Innovation Fund: 75th Anniversary. 

Science and Storytelling: End-of-Life Conversations and Bereavement as Normal Parts of Life

Conversations about death and dying are difficult for everyone, but they are especially important for older adults. In this podcast episode, Dr. Deborah Carr and host Brenda Olmos discuss how to bring up these topics in a way that is sensitive, culturally appropriate, and efficient for both patients and providers. Along the way, they talk about their personal experiences related to end-of-life issues, how those experiences led to their interest in gerontology, and how they can bridge the gap between research and practice in end-of-life care. 
Guest:  Deborah Carr, PhD, FGSA (Bio)—Professor and Chair, Department of Sociology, and Senior Fellow, Institute for Health System Innovation and Policy, Boston University. 
Host:  Brenda Olmos, MSN, APRN, FNP-C (Bio)—Reynolds Scholar, University of Oklahoma, Reynolds Center for Geriatric Nursing Excellence. 
This podcast episode is supported by the GSA Innovation Fund: 75th Anniversary. 

Science and Storytelling: Family Caregiving and Older Adults

Approximately 42 million family caregivers in the United States provide unpaid care for an older adult. Family caregivers can spend countless hours engaging in complex activities—such as medication management, wound care, and care coordination—that can influence their own financial security, health, and well-being. In this episode, Dr. Susan Reinhard talks with host Dr. Jo-Ana Chase about the science and policies impacting family caregiving in the United States and how Dr. Reinhard’s nursing practice influenced her path to science and policy making. 
Guest: Susan Reinhard, RN, PhD, FGSA, FAAN (Bio)—Senior Vice President and Director, AARP Public Policy Institute, and Chief Strategist, AARP Center to Champion Nursing in America and Family Caregiving Initiatives. 
Host: Jo-Ana D. Chase, PhD, APRN-BC (Bio)—Associate Professor, University of Missouri Sinclair School of Nursing.  

Science and Storytelling: Older Adults Are Essential Workers: Ageism and Productive Aging

Older adults are essential workers, caregivers, and volunteers. They provide many services in the community as volunteer drivers for Meals on Wheels, tutors and mentors for school programs, and other meaningful roles. Ways to shape social policies and programs to optimally engage the growing human capital of the older population is a compelling issue. In addition to discussing her research career path as a social worker, Dr. Nancy Morrow-Howell talks with hosts Rita Xiaochen Hu and Hanamori Skoblow about why older adults are essential and productive members of the community and how we as a society can resist ageism. This podcast episode was inspired by the GSA 75th Anniversary Spotlight Article by Dr. Morrow-Howell and Ernest Gonzales, MSW, PhD, “Recovering From Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): Resisting Ageism and Recommitting to a Productive Aging Perspective,” published in Public Policy & Aging Report.
Guest: Nancy Morrow-Howell, MSW, PhD, FGSA (Bio)—Betty Bofinger Brown Distinguished Professor of Social Policy, Washington University in St. Louis.
Hosts: Rita Xiaochen Hu, MSW (Bio)—Doctoral Candidate in Social Work and Psychology, University of Michigan; and Hanamori F. Skoblow, MS (Bio)—Doctoral Student in Human Development and Family Science, University of Missouri.
This podcast episode is supported by the GSA Innovation Fund: 75th Anniversary.

Science and Storytelling: Health Disparities and Equity

Many people assume that pain is a normal part of getting older. Although pain is not inevitable, it is a serious concern for those who experience it. Yet older adults with pain are likely to receive different qualities of treatment depending on their race and/or ethnicity. Dr. Tamara Baker talks to host Brenda Olmos about disparities in treatment for pain management and why it is critical to acknowledge the realities of pain in older adults without equating pain with aging. Along the way, they discuss how personal histories can guide professional work, bridging the gap between research and practice, and the power of diverse representation in leadership at The Gerontological Society of America. 
Guest: Tamara Baker, PhD, FGSA (Bio)—Professor, Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. 
Host: Brenda Olmos, MSN, APRN, FNP-C (Bio)—Reynolds Scholar, University of Oklahoma, Reynolds Center for Geriatric Nursing Excellence in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 
This podcast episode is supported by the GSA Innovation Fund: 75th Anniversary. 

Science and Storytelling: Disability and Aging

In our youth-centric culture, people tend to dread the prospect of getting older. But why do we shy away from aging, which is certainly the most natural human experience and can be a beautiful part of life? When it comes down to it, most of us will encounter aging firsthand—or so we hope! About one in four adult Americans also experiences disability, with disability becoming more common as people age. In this episode, our podcast host Dr. Danielle Waldron sits down with Dr. Michelle Putnam to chat about aging, disability, and how a little more inclusion and a little less “othering” can improve life for everyone. 
Guest: Michelle Putnam, PhD, FGSA—Professor and Director of the Doctoral Program in Social Work, School of Social Work, College of Social Sciences, Policy, and Practice at Simmons University in Boston, Massachusetts.  
Host: Danielle A. Waldron, PhD—Assistant Professor, Healthcare Administration Department at Stonehill College in North Easton, Massachusetts.  
This podcast episode is supported by the GSA Innovation Fund: 75th Anniversary.