Author: Varsity Team

On a recent  episode of Varsity’s Roundtable Talk, we sit down with Terry Farrell, acclaimed actress and sci-fi icon best known for her role as Jadzia Dax on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and Reggie on Becker. With a career spanning modeling, television, and film, Terry brings a unique perspective on aging, reinvention, and staying grounded in an image-driven industry.

Derek and Terry talk about her approach to aging, her break from acting to raise her son, and why she’s stepping back into the industry. She opens up about embracing authenticity, the influence of Star Trek, and how representation in entertainment is evolving.

The following are some fresh perspectives from the conversation. Check out the full episode here. 

WHAT IS YOUR PERSONAL PHILOSOPHY OR PERSPECTIVE ON AGING WELL?

I think it has a lot to do with your mental attitude about it. I mean, no one’s getting a get out of jail free card from it. It’s just part of the process, right?

WAS THERE A MOMENT IN YOUR ACTING CAREER WHEN AGE STARTED TO FEEL LIKE A FACTOR?

I think right now. I quit my career to be an at-home mom at 40.  But now being 61, and I just got an agent, and coming back into it, I have to remember that I’m not as young on the outside as I feel on the inside.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO YOUNGER ACTORS ABOUT LONGEVITY IN LIFE AND CAREER?

Enjoy each phase you’re in. Movies and television are telling us stories about life and it requires all age groups to tell these stories. You’re never going to run out of parts you can play.

HOW COULD HOLLYWOOD SHOWCASE AGING MORE AUTHENTICALLY?

Hiring actors that haven’t had cosmetic surgery or are willing to look natural. If [studios] are demanding women to be ageless, then women become more paranoid about trying to be ageless.

WHAT DO YOU WISH YOU COULD HAVE TOLD YOUR YOUNGER SELF?

That I have enough. That I am enough. I’m whole just the way I am. I can stop being a chameleon.

Peggy Bilous, Vice President at SMASH, joined this week’s Roundtable to share her journey through senior living and the evolution of one of the industry’s most dynamic events. 

With more than a decade of experience cultivating SMASH, Peggy offered insights on how collaboration, creativity, and a deep understanding of the industry have shaped both her career and the event’s success. She also reflected on the changing landscape of senior living—and what it takes to stay ahead in a field that’s always moving forward.

COLLABORATION FUELS GROWTH

Building something from the ground up takes time, but collaboration makes it thrive. The SMASH team constantly bounced ideas off each other, keeping things fresh. Daily check-ins and open dialogue made all the difference in turning a startup into a lasting success.

SENIOR LIVING EXPERTS SHARING KNOWLEDGE

The senior living industry is filled with passionate professionals who truly care about their work. People spend their careers here, not just for a job, but to make a difference. Industry leaders are always willing to share their knowledge, offering guidance to those eager to learn.

EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED IN EVENTS

Event planning always comes with surprises—no matter how well you prepare, something will go wrong. Expect the unexpected, stay flexible, and be ready to problem-solve on the fly. The key is preparation, adaptability, and knowing that challenges are just part of the process.

ADAPTING TO INDUSTRY SHIFTS

The senior living industry is constantly evolving. Adapting to change—whether demographic shifts, the pandemic, or rapid technological growth—is essential. Collaboration has become more critical than ever, as providers streamline solutions and embrace new tools to work more efficiently. Flexibility and innovation are key to staying ahead in this field.

THE POWER OF CUSTOMER SERVICE

Genuine customer service is key to successful sales. Taking the time to understand clients’ priorities and going the extra mile builds trust and long-term relationships. It’s not just about selling, it’s about helping clients grow their business by addressing their needs with care and dedication.

Varsity’s Roundtable is a weekly virtual gathering of senior living marketers and leaders from across the nation. For updates about future weekly Roundtable gatherings, submit your name and email address here. 

For this week’s Roundtable, we were  joined by Christopher Leech, director of the Wallis Annenberg GenSpace. Christopher discussed how Wallis Annenberg GenSpace is rethinking aging services and innovating design and programs. 

Wallis Annenberg GenSpace is a modern, age-positive space that inspires older adults to learn, create, and connect through inspiring physical design and transformative programs.  

“Aging isn’t about what you can’t do, it’s about what’s still possible,” said Christopher. “We encourage members to build new skills, take on challenges and surprise themselves.” 

RETHINKING THE SENIOR CENTER MODEL

GenSpace defies expectations of traditional senior centers. With bold architecture, vibrant design, and age-positive programming, it offers older adults a space to explore creativity, build community, and redefine what aging can look like—active, inspiring, and purpose-driven.

PROGRAMS WITH PURPOSE AND PROGRESSION

Rather than offering passive entertainment, GenSpace designs multi-session, skill-building programs. This structure fosters a sense of purpose and accomplishment, helping members stay motivated, engaged, and connected throughout retirement.

MEMBERS DRIVE THE EXPERIENCE

GenSpace isn’t built for older adults—it’s built with them. Member-led feedback shapes programming, ensuring it evolves with real needs and interests. This human-centered model fosters ownership, empowerment, and meaningful connection.

BEAUTIFUL SPACES THAT WORK FOR ALL

With features like sprung flooring, circadian lighting, and intuitive wayfinding, GenSpace proves that functional design doesn’t have to sacrifice beauty. Every element supports accessibility while creating an energizing, welcoming environment.

CHANGING THE AGING NARRATIVE

From media to community spaces, GenSpace is shifting the conversation around aging. By showcasing older adults as learners, leaders, and creators, it challenges outdated stereotypes and inspires a more authentic, empowering vision of what it means to grow older.

Varsity’s Roundtable is a weekly virtual gathering of senior living marketers and leaders from across the nation. For updates about future weekly Roundtable gatherings, submit your name and email address here. 

The newest episode of Varsity’s podcast, Roundtable Talk, featured a conversation with Scott Townsley, a senior living strategist and consultant with over 35 years of experience in the industry. As the founder of Third Age and Trilogy Consulting, Scott has advised countless organizations on navigating change, embracing innovation and preparing for the future of aging services.

Roundtable Talk host Derek Dunham and Scott explored the challenges facing senior living today, how the traditional governance model is failing and how senior living providers can rethink their approach to data and business models to remain relevant.

The following are some fresh perspectives from the conversation. Check out the full episode here.

WHAT ROLE DO STRATEGY, VISION, AND INNOVATION PLAY IN ORGANIZATIONAL SUCCESS

I think of those three—strategy, vision, and innovation—as a Venn diagram. When they meet in the middle, that’s where success happens. If you look at the organizations that have gotten themselves into trouble, it’s usually because one or more of those three is missing. Without vision and innovation, it’s really hard to have a viable strategy. And without strategy, it’s easy to just repeat the same thing that’s been done for 20, 30, 40 years.

WHERE DO NONPROFIT SENIOR LIVING ORGANIZATIONS TYPICALLY FALL SHORT AMONG THOSE THREE?

In reality, in many instances, all three are areas where organizations fall short. But often it’s two out of three. I find it really rewarding when a CEO tells me, “I’m not that good at vision,” because that honesty means it can be addressed. A lot of leaders come from CFO or COO backgrounds, so they’re not used to thinking in visionary terms. But recognizing that is the first step toward improvement.

WHY DO YOU THINK INNOVATION IS OFTEN LACKING IN THIS FIELD?

Innovation takes time and effort. It’s a process that needs infrastructure and commitment. But it’s also a word we’ve thrown around for the last decade. Just saying “we’re innovative” doesn’t make it so. Take the village-to-village model, it’s been successful in spreading, but the business model often doesn’t work without fundraising. One group we worked with offered a freemium version of it and scaled to 3,000 people in 18 months. Innovation doesn’t always mean inventing something new. Sometimes it just means rethinking the model.

YOU’VE BEEN CRITICAL OF OCCUPANCY AS A METRIC. WHY?

Occupancy can be a vanity metric. If it’s been declining incrementally for 15 years, just reporting it against last year or budget isn’t enough. What matters is looking back five or ten years to see the full picture. Actionable data would include age and frailty at move-in. If those are trending up, you’ll likely see more turnover, which affects everything from staffing to marketing. Yet organizations still struggle to pull that data—it’s as miserable in 2025 as it was in 1985.

WHY DO PEOPLE HATE NURSING HOMES—INCLUDING NURSING HOME ADMINISTRATORS THEMSELVES?

The public perception is very negative. Our research shows that between 55–65% of respondents have a negative feeling about nursing homes. Even nursing home administrators will say they’d rather be dead than end up in one. The reality is that most nursing home beds are semi-private—there’s nothing private about them. To spend the most vulnerable time of your life sharing a room with a stranger is inhuman and inhumane. Small house models like Green House solve for this, but they’re still too rare.

Sharon Jessup is a consultant with OnePoint Partners, a board member of a senior living community, and an adult child with parents in senior living.  Sharon also joined Varsity’s weekly Roundtable recently to share her unique, 360-degree perspective on the industry, one that blends strategy, lived experience and leadership.  

Senior living is the only thing I’ve ever sold in my career,” said Sharon. “But when you experience it through the eyes of a loved one, it’s truly a game changer.”

FROM MANAGEMENT TO GOVERNANCE

Joining the Porters Neck Village board shifted the view from day-to-day operations to long-term strategy. With a seat at the governance table—and her parents living in the community—Sharon Jessup now helps shape the future of senior living from both a personal and professional perspective.

SEEING SENIOR LIVING THROUGH FAMILY

Experiencing senior living alongside her parents offered a whole new lens. From dining and activities to everyday engagement, the resident experience became deeply personal—proving that connection, community, and involvement matter just as much as care and convenience.

LEADERSHIP THROUGH LISTENING

Whether mentoring colleagues, serving on a board, or supporting family, leadership is rooted in listening. It’s not about managing—it’s about guiding, teaching, and showing up. Great leaders stay curious, lead by example, and always make time to understand the people they serve.

A COMPANY WITH PURPOSE

At OnePoint Partners, purpose and values drive every decision. As a B Corp certified firm, the team blends financial insight with empathy, collaboration, and curiosity—offering tailored strategies to communities while staying grounded in the mission of aging services.

ADVOCACY THAT EVOLVES

The journey doesn’t end—it evolves. Whether advising communities or supporting parents, advocacy is a lifelong role. With decades of experience and a personal stake in the resident journey, Sharon continues to teach, advise, and shape the future of aging services with compassion and clarity.

Varsity’s Roundtable is a weekly virtual gathering of senior living marketers and leaders from across the nation. For updates about future weekly Roundtable gatherings, submit your name and email address here. 

Recently on Varsity’s weekly Roundtable we welcomed Adam Grafton, vice president of operational excellence at Aramark SeniorLIFE+. Adam shared how SeniorLIFE+ is leveraging technology from across Aramark’s business lines to enhance the senior living experience. 

From AI-powered staffing and facility management to frictionless retail and next-gen kitchens, Adam explored how innovation is driving smarter operations, better outcomes and a more seamless experience for residents and staff alike.

CROSS-INDUSTRY COLLABORATION

SeniorLIFE+ stands out by blending best practices from Aramark’s hospitality, healthcare, and workplace divisions. This cross-functional collaboration powers smarter, more innovative solutions that elevate the senior living experience—proving that operational excellence often begins with shared insight.

FRICTIONLESS, 24/7 SHOPPING

Thanks to Amazon Market integration, residents and families can shop anytime using key fobs, cards or facial recognition. No checkout lines, no waiting. It’s a seamless experience that boosts satisfaction and convenience in senior living communities.

AI-POWERED LABOR EFFICIENCY

Smart dashboards analyze scheduling and sales data to align staffing with demand. The result? Less downtime, fewer headaches and more time for operators to focus on resident care. Technology lightens the load while improving the guest experience.

SMARTER FACILITY MANAGEMENT

Sensors track occupancy, air quality, leaks and more—powering real-time decisions that reduce waste and cut costs. Cleaning and maintenance are no longer routine—they’re driven by actual need, thanks to AI and data integration.

KITCHEN INNOVATION AT WORK

Sous vide and re-therming tech are revolutionizing back-of-house operations. Kitchens are cutting production time by 90%, reducing waste by 80% and serving more meals with fewer staff—all while keeping quality and creativity high.

Varsity’s Roundtable is a weekly virtual gathering of senior living marketers and leaders from across the nation. For updates about future weekly Roundtable gatherings, submit your name and email address here. 

Last year, we welcomed Lindsey Beagley  to talk about Mirabella at Arizona State University and how it redefines senior living through lifelong learning and intergenerational connections.

More recently on Varsity’s Roundtable Lindsey returned with Sherri Harris, a Mirabella at ASU resident, and Charity Morrison, an ASU student. In a unique Q&A-style Roundtable, Sherri and Charity talked about how they’ve forged friendships that span generations and offer a closer look at the ASU artists-in-residence program. 

IMMERSIVE INTERGENERATIONAL LIVING

The Artists in Residence program at Mirabella at ASU brings together doctoral-level students and senior residents through music and shared experiences. Students live on-site and lead nearly 400 events annually, building meaningful relationships that blur generational lines and create a strong sense of community.

SELECTION BY THE PEOPLE, FOR THE PEOPLE

Student residents aren’t just chosen by faculty—they’re interviewed, auditioned and selected by Mirabella’s own residents. This helps ensure a great musical fit and a strong social dynamic, which is key to the program’s success and longevity.

PROFESSIONAL GROWTH, PERSONAL REWARD

Student artists receive housing and meals, but the real value lies in the experience. Frequent performances, hands-on engagement, and deep community ties offer a level of professional development that traditional music programs simply can’t match.

A MODEL THAT’S BUILT TO TRAVEL

You don’t have to be on a college campus to make this work. With the right partners and a little creativity, any senior living community near a university could adapt this model to build intergenerational connections and attract residents.

FRIENDSHIPS THAT GO BEYOND MUSIC

The bonds formed in this program are real. Residents and students support each other’s goals, celebrate life together and often form chosen families—proof that meaningful friendships thrive across generations when people are simply open to connection.

Varsity’s Roundtable is a weekly virtual gathering of senior living marketers and leaders from across the nation. For updates about future weekly Roundtable gatherings, submit your name and email address here. 

Recently on Varsity’s podcast, Roundtable Talk, we sat down with Dr. Robyn Stone, a nationally recognized expert in aging policy and long-term care. As Senior Vice President of Research at LeadingAge and Co-Director of the LeadingAge LTSS Center, she has spent decades bridging the gap between policy, research, and real-world solutions to improve aging services.

Derek and Dr. Stone discussed the workforce crisis in long-term care, the challenges of educating consumers about aging services, and the role of technology in supporting caregivers. She also reflects on her decades in the field, offering insights on how change happens—slowly, but steadily. 

The conversation was filled with fresh perspectives. Below are just a few of them. 

YOU’VE SAID THAT SENIOR LIVING IS OFTEN AN “ACCIDENTAL CAREER”—A FIELD PEOPLE DON’T SEEK OUT BUT END UP LOVING. HOW CAN WE CHANGE THAT?

I’m actually an exception because I always knew I wanted to work with older adults. But over the years, I found that most people in aging services fell into these jobs by accident. Once they started, they realized they loved it. 

One of my primary focuses has been shifting this from an accidental profession to one that people intentionally pursue. We’ve made some strides, but we still struggle. If you look at the challenges in recruiting nurses, social workers, and even geriatric specialists, it’s clear that aging services is still undervalued. I think that’s tied to fundamental ageism in this country.

WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST GAPS IN EDUCATING CONSUMERS ABOUT LONG-TERM CARE?

There’s still so much misunderstanding. People don’t grasp what long-term services and supports (LTSS) actually are. It’s about helping people function independently for as long as possible, but it intersects with medical care because these individuals also have chronic conditions, acute episodes, and post-acute needs. 

Housing is also critical—if you don’t have a home that allows for mobility, your quality of life suffers. Most people still think Medicare pays for long-term care, which isn’t true. We’ve spent decades trying to educate people, but the reality is that most don’t think about it until they’re in crisis.

WHAT STRATEGIES DO YOU THINK ARE MOST EFFECTIVE FOR RETAINING WORKERS IN AGING SERVICES?

The best recruitment strategy is retention. If you retain staff, you don’t have to recruit as much. Retention is about creating a healthy workplace culture with both monetary and non-monetary investments. Higher wages matter—we still have 40% of this workforce on some form of public assistance, which is unacceptable. 

But it’s also about training, strong supervisory support, and career pathways. Not every aide wants to become an RN, but they might want to specialize in geriatric care, behavioral health, or medication management. High-performing organizations are figuring out ways to create these pathways, which leads to better retention and lower turnover.

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED IN YOUR CAREER THAT YOU WISH YOU COULD TELL YOUR YOUNGER SELF?

Change takes a long time. It’s a journey, not a destination. When I started in the federal government in the early ’70s, I was filled with hopes and dreams about making the world a better place. Over time, I’ve learned that progress is incremental. But you have to keep your eye on the prize. It’s easy to get discouraged in policy and advocacy work, but if you focus on long-term goals and stay committed, real change does happen—even if it takes longer than you’d like.

Want to hear more from Dr. Stone? Check out the full episode of Roundtable Talk for more fresh perspectives. Watch new episodes of Roundtable Talk on the Varsity website and on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and iHeartRadio.

Brian Parman is the Director of The Point and Pavilion at CC Young in Dallas. In that role, he curates and develops a robust and expanding calendar of activities, programs, and events designed to nurture and enrich the lives of both CC Young residents and the Dallas community.

Recently on Varsity’s weekly Roundtable, Brian shared how The Point leverages its senior enrichment center to engage the broader community and create connections that can lead to future residents.

THE POWER OF “BLUE SKY THINKING”

Encouraging big ideas and pushing boundaries has led to creative programs, including a TV studio, lifelong learning initiatives, and engagement across all levels of care.

EXPANDING BEYOND RESIDENTS

The Point membership program started as a small amenity and evolved into a thriving community resource, bringing in non-residents who often transition into full-time residents.

INNOVATION THROUGH TECHNOLOGY

COVID accelerated CC Young’s embrace of tech, from a fully equipped TV studio to digital tools like Canva, Touchtown, and QR codes to improve communication and accessibility.

ENRICHING LIVES THROUGH COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS

Collaborations with nonprofits, colleges, and local experts have expanded programming, from art and writing contests to wellness and music therapy.

A DYNAMIC APPROACH TO ENGAGEMENT

Monthly themed planning, live-streamed events, and a mix of in-person and virtual experiences ensure that CC Young remains adaptable, inclusive, and future-focused.

Varsity’s Roundtable is a weekly virtual gathering of senior living marketers and leaders from across the nation. For updates about future weekly Roundtable gatherings, submit your name and email address here. 

Dr. David Katz is one of the most influential voices in preventive medicine, nutrition, and lifestyle medicine. As the founding director of the Yale Prevention Research Center, a past president of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine, and a prolific author, Dr. Katz has spent his career challenging conventional wisdom on aging and health.

On a recent episode of Varsity’s podcast, Roundtable Talk, he shared his thoughts on the pitfalls of “anti-aging,” the power of lifestyle choices, and how we can reshape our relationship with aging and vitality. Here are some of the key takeaways from our conversation.

OUR SOCIETY PROMOTES ‘ANTI-AGING’—WHY DO YOU THINK THIS IS MISGUIDED?

Aging is a biological process. It’s like being anti-breathing—it just doesn’t make sense. Everything ages: rocks, the Earth, the universe. What bothers me most about the “anti-aging” movement is that it invites us to perpetually compare ourselves to a younger version of ourselves.

I’m 62. I practice what I preach—I eat optimally, I work out every day, and I’m extremely fit. But I don’t have the same muscle mass or strength I did at 42 or 22. That’s just reality. The goal shouldn’t be to fight aging, but to optimize vitality at every stage of life.

HOW DOES THE PACE OF CHANGE IN OUR SOCIETY IMPACT HOW WE VIEW OLDER ADULTS?

The world you grew up in gets left behind, and that happens faster now than ever before. My parents, who are 85, are vital and active, but they feel like roadkill on the information superhighway.

When they were kids, there were no televisions. Now, we have devices in our pockets that let us instantly connect with anyone in the world. The speed of technological advancement makes older generations feel obsolete. We’ve gone from a time when older people were venerated for their wisdom to a culture that increasingly views them as out of touch.

WHAT CAN WE DO TO REFRAME AGING AS A POSITIVE EXPERIENCE?

We need to celebrate what aging gives us, not just what it takes away. Yes, physical capabilities change, but you gain something just as valuable—wisdom, experience, perspective.

In many cultures, elders are venerated. But in America, we glorify youth while failing to honor the trade-off. Imagine if we had a magazine dedicated to the reflections and stories of older adults, just like People Magazine does for celebrities. We celebrate youthful beauty, but we don’t celebrate the beauty of experience and wisdom in the same way.

WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO AS YOU AGE?

I was looking forward to peace—to being able to fully enjoy the bond I have with my wife, to spending more time outdoors, with my dogs and my horses. But life doesn’t always work out as planned.

I unexpectedly became an entrepreneur, founding Diet ID, which was recently acquired. Now, I’m still deeply involved in making diet quality a vital sign, like blood pressure.

That said, I do look forward to a time when I can truly unplug—to go “off the grid” for a weekend (or longer), to not be shackled to my phone, to fully be with the people I love. That’s what I aspire to.

Want to hear more from Dr. Katz? Check out the full episode of Roundtable Talk for more fresh perspectives. Watch new episodes of Roundtable Talk on the Varsity website and on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and iHeartRadio.