Category: Roundtable Talk

Agetech is one of the fastest-growing frontiers in innovation, with the potential to transform how older adults live, connect, and thrive. At the center of this movement is Rick Robinson, Vice President and General Manager of the Agetech Collaborative from AARP, who is building a vibrant ecosystem of startups, investors, and enterprises committed to reshaping the future of aging.

On a recent episode of Varsity’s podcast, Roundtable Talk, Rick discussed how the collaborative accelerates startups, drives inclusivity in product design, and helps older adults embrace new technology. He also highlighted the promise of AI and embodied devices to ease challenges like social isolation and the caregiver shortage.

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

HOW DO YOU DEFINE AGETECH AND THE COLLABORATIVE’S MISSION?

We define it very simply: we’re here to make aging easier for everyone. That’s our mission. It’s broad, but it keeps us focused on impact. We show up at major events like CES, InVive, and Wired gatherings — not just to showcase technology, but to tell the story of how massive and important this space is. When people see that older adults drive trillions of dollars in spending and demand better solutions, the light bulb goes on.

HOW DO YOU BALANCE CUTTING-EDGE INNOVATION WITH THE REAL NEEDS OF OLDER ADULTS?

I love taking bleeding-edge technology — right now that’s generative AI — and making it accessible. We’ve done it before with VR to fight loneliness, and with AR to create immersive experiences. The key is to make the technology itself disappear so that what comes forward is the experience. People shouldn’t be intimidated by the tech; they should feel the value. That’s what makes innovation meaningful.

HOW DOES THE COLLABORATIVE PROMOTE INCLUSIVE AND ACCESSIBLE INNOVATION?

We push that philosophy out to every startup that joins. We give them access to diverse audiences and volunteers across the country — people from all backgrounds. We help startups identify and co-create with the right older adult audiences for their products. A lot of founders think they know their target market, but we’ll stop them and say, “Let’s talk to your audience first.” We help them test and refine products so they’re built with older adults, not just for them.

WHAT DO COMPANIES OFTEN GET WRONG WHEN DESIGNING FOR OLDER ADULTS?

They over-engineer or oversimplify. The key is balance. You want simplicity without being patronizing. Older adults don’t need “dumbed down” — they need intuitive. It’s about thoughtful design, not stripped-down design. And it’s crucial to involve older adults early in the process so the product reflects their real needs and preferences.

WHERE DO YOU SEE THE BIGGEST OPPORTUNITIES AHEAD IN AGETECH?

Caregiving is the biggest. There’s a massive shortage of caregivers, and costs are high. I think AI, combined with embodied devices, is going to play a big role in solving that. Within five years, we’ll see major advances in how technology supports both older adults and their caregivers — making care more personal, affordable, and available.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO ENTREPRENEURS ENTERING THE AGETECH SPACE?

Start by truly understanding your audience. Don’t assume — go talk to older adults. Build with empathy and flexibility. Be ready to pivot when you learn something new. And don’t underestimate the market. This isn’t a niche; it’s one of the largest, fastest-growing opportunities in the world. If you can make aging easier, you’re not just building a business — you’re changing lives.

Want to hear more from Rick? 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.

Every great story starts with someone worth caring about. On Varsity’s Roundtable Talk, documentary filmmaker Peter Murphy Lewis shared how his series People Worth Caring About gives voice to the caregivers whose compassion and commitment define long-term care communities across the country.

Peter shared how his grandparents’ positive experiences in senior living inspired his work and why focusing on staff stories helps shift public perception. He recalled moving encounters in hospice, lessons about dignity and language, and how storytelling can inspire young people to see caregiving as a calling.

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

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO CREATE “PEOPLE WORTH CARING ABOUT”?

It was a personal story that started it. When I began working in long-term care, I realized caregivers were fighting against a negative perception that existed even before COVID and was made worse by the pandemic. My own grandparents had incredible caregivers — people who treated them with love and dignity. But those caregivers rarely get the recognition they deserve. I wanted to change that narrative.

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO FOCUS ON STAFF STORIES RATHER THAN RESIDENTS?

My background helped shape that decision. I used to host a TV show in South America similar to Dirty Jobs, where I interviewed people doing hard, meaningful work. So when I started this project, I naturally focused on caregivers. Looking back, that choice was “accidentally strategic.” When you put caregivers front and center, people don’t criticize — they empathize. You can’t look at someone like LaVita, who’s worked in memory care for 30 years, and not feel admiration.

WAS THERE A MOMENT THAT MADE YOU REALIZE YOU WERE ONTO SOMETHING SPECIAL?

Yes, on the very first day of filming in Nebraska. We visited a hospice called the Grace Space. One of the residents, Kim, was nonverbal, but she communicated with her CNA, a young man about 19 or 20, through her phone. She wrote that she felt blessed to have him caring for her and that she was excited to go to heaven, where she could dance again. That moment showed me how deep these relationships go — and I knew right then we weren’t just making a short film. We had a full season’s worth of powerful stories.

HOW DO CAREGIVERS STAY GROUNDED IN SUCH EMOTIONALLY DEMANDING WORK?

They’re stronger than I am. I think a lot of them have a love language rooted in service — they feel fulfilled by doing things for others. They find purpose in making people feel valued and comfortable. It’s not easy, but they have this incredible ability to compartmentalize and keep giving. Their hearts are built for it.

WHAT KIND OF IMPACT HAS THE SERIES HAD ON THE INDUSTRY?

The feedback has been incredible. Leaders from the American Healthcare Association called it an authentic depiction of long-term care. State associations are even using clips for advocacy — geofencing them around the U.S. Capitol so lawmakers see them. They’re also using the series for fundraising and to show the real faces behind the work. The reactions from caregivers themselves, and even my own father’s emotional response at the premiere, reminded me why this storytelling matters.

Want to hear more from Peter? 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.

Behind every thriving small business is often a great mentor—and many of those mentors happen to be retirees. On Varsity’s Roundtable Talk, Bridget Weston, CEO of SCORE, shared how her organization connects experienced professionals with the next generation of entrepreneurs, fueling purpose, innovation, and community impact.

Derek and Bridget discussed how SCORE pairs seasoned professionals with younger entrepreneurs, how older mentors stay engaged and purposeful through volunteering and the role of encore entrepreneurs (age 55+) in starting new ventures.

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

WHAT IS SCORE AND HOW DOES IT WORK?

SCORE is a connected network that reaches across the country of experienced business mentors who volunteer their time and expertise to help anyone looking to start, grow, or even struggling to sustain a small business.

WHY DO YOU THINK SO MANY OLDER ADULTS ARE DRAWN TO MENTORING?

Our volunteers have years of valuable experience—both successes and failures—and they want to help others avoid the same pitfalls. Mentoring gives them a way to share their expertise while staying connected and engaged. Many tell us they get as much from the relationship as their mentees do. They build friendships, stay mentally sharp, and continue learning through co-mentoring and communities of practice focused on everything from AI to agriculture.

HOW DOES SCORE HELP OLDER ADULTS STAY ENGAGED AND PURPOSEFUL?

SCORE naturally attracts lifelong learners—people who want to stay sharp and connected. We offer continuous education on topics like technology, policy, and workforce trends, as well as communities of practice where volunteers can explore their interests. These groups not only keep mentors learning but also allow them to give back in meaningful, impactful ways. Many volunteers say they feel just as fulfilled—if not more—after a mentoring session as their clients do.

WHAT ARE SOME SUCCESS STORIES THAT STAND OUT TO YOU?

There are hundreds. We’ve had a veteran who invented new backpacking gear now selling nationwide, an entrepreneur who created nap pods for airports, and food truck owners who grew into brick-and-mortar restaurants. Our mentors often form long-term relationships with clients—attending weddings, funerals, and major life events. It’s incredibly rewarding to see their impact not just on businesses, but on entire communities.

WHAT ROLE DOES SCORE PLAY IN STRENGTHENING LOCAL COMMUNITIES?

Small businesses are the backbone of our economy and our neighborhoods. They’re the ones sponsoring little league teams, supporting local events, and keeping communities vibrant. By helping small businesses succeed, we’re strengthening the fabric of local life. When entrepreneurs thrive, communities thrive.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO OLDER ADULTS LOOKING FOR MEANINGFUL WAYS TO GIVE BACK?

Join SCORE. But more broadly, find something that lights a fire in you—something that lets you go to bed thinking, “I made the world a little better today.” Whether it’s through SCORE or another organization, giving back is deeply fulfilling. Many of our volunteers say they feel just as rewarded as the entrepreneurs they help, because service gives purpose and connection.

Want to hear more from Bridget? 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.

As technology continues to reshape every corner of our lives, few voices understand its impact on aging quite like Laurie Orlov. In this episode of Varsity’s Roundtable Talk, the founder of Aging and Health Technology Watch unpacks how innovation—and a little empathy—can transform the aging experience.

In our conversation, Laurie shared her journey to becoming a thought leader in age-related technology. Laurie also discussed the transformative potential of AI in senior care, advocating for proactive technological solutions and greater inclusivity of older adults in product design processes.

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

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO START AGING AND HEALTH TECHNOLOGY WATCH?

It really came from my own experience caring for my mother. I realized that so many people who enter the age-related technology industry do so because of a personal caregiving experience. This field is filled with people who struggled to care for their parents and went on to create companies in caregiving, health monitoring, and fall detection. My story was that I didn’t know what I was doing, I couldn’t find research, and so I said, “I’m going to write it.”

WHAT DOES AN IDEAL SUITE OF TECHNOLOGY LOOK LIKE FOR OLDER ADULTS?

I use the analogy of PC software suites. Years ago, you wouldn’t buy just a spreadsheet without also having a word processor. The same should be true here. In aging tech, we need suites—connected tools that sit alongside each other and evolve with a person’s needs over time. For instance, a health suite might start with symptom management, move into remote monitoring, and include medication management and hearing support. A mobility suite might combine exercise tools, transportation aids, and peer support. You don’t have to integrate everything—just make sure it works together and follows the user through their life journey.

HOW SHOULD INNOVATORS APPROACH DESIGNING FOR OLDER ADULTS?

Tech companies need to stop designing only for themselves. The average age at Google or Meta is pretty young, and older adults aren’t typically included in the testing process. But they should be—before development and during testing. I once watched an older man on a plane tapping around his iPad, trying to figure out what part of the screen would respond. Why not design pop-ups that guide users? Simple prompts would make a world of difference. The irony is that older adults are a massive market—and they have the money. Companies should be designing with them, not just for them.

HOW DO YOU DEFINE “ALL TECH,” AND WHY SHOULD WE MOVE AWAY FROM “AGE TECH”?

“All tech” means the devices we all use—phones, TVs, tablets—can already be adapted for older adults. For example, on an iPhone, you can enlarge text, boost volume, or change accessibility settings. That’s all tech—it’s universal. Labeling something as “age tech” focuses too much on disability instead of inclusion. We don’t need separate technologies for older adults; we need existing ones configured to meet everyone’s needs.

WHERE DO YOU SEE THE MOST PROMISING APPLICATIONS OF AI IN AGING SERVICES?

AI agents—software assigned to specific tasks—are already transforming home care and senior living. They can handle documentation, help create care plans, or provide prompts during visits. For example, as a caregiver approaches a client’s home, AI could suggest questions to ask based on that person’s history. That’s proactive care. AI can also support hybrid care models—combining in-person visits with remote monitoring during off-hours. People can’t work 24 hours a day, but AI can. It helps fill gaps, making care smarter and more continuous.

Want to hear more from Laurie? 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.

As the co-founder of the National Investment Center for Seniors Housing and Care (NIC) and founder of Nexus Insights, Bob Kramer has been called a “disruptive force” in the field, always challenging us to think differently about aging, housing and care.

In the newest episode of Roundtable Talk, Bob challenged the prevailing negative perceptions of aging, describing ageism as a prejudice against our future selves. He also highlighted the significant, yet overlooked, potential of older adults in the workforce and addresses the epidemic of loneliness.

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

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE BIGGEST MISCONCEPTIONS THAT AMERICANS HAVE ABOUT AGING?

I think first and foremost, and this has really come about sort of since World War II and really with the boomers, and that is aging is bad. Aging is something to be feared. Aging is something negative. I spend a lot of time teaching on college campuses, and I like to point out that ageism is prejudice against our future selves. I’ll have students write down what age they think they’ll live to, and then I show them that statistically, over half of them will live to 100. I tell them, if you don’t work to change these ageist stereotypes, you’ll be consigned to irrelevance for the last third of your lives.

WHAT TRENDS ARE YOU SEEING IN HOW SENIOR LIVING IS EVOLVING?

A lot of the trends we’re seeing now were accelerated by COVID. The pandemic pushed our field out of the 20th century into the digital age. Older adults and their families discovered on-demand services—healthcare, groceries, anything delivered where they live. Consumers today are more sophisticated and savvy. They’re not just asking how many years they’ll live—they’re asking if those will be thrive years. They want environments that add life to their years, not just years to their life.

HOW WILL TECHNOLOGY AND DATA SHAPE THE FUTURE OF AGING SERVICES?

Technology and data are absolutely transformative. Senior care will always be a high-touch field, but it also needs to be high-tech. The role of technology is to enable staff to work to the limits of their license instead of being buried in paperwork. AI and data can help identify which residents are most at risk each day, allowing caregivers to prioritize time and attention. That’s how we turn data into actionable care—predictive, preventative, and personalized.

WHY DO YOU TAKE ISSUE WITH THE TERM “SILVER TSUNAMI”?

Because it’s deeply ageist. Nobody ever thinks of a tsunami as a good thing—it’s an unmitigated disaster. So when we call the aging population a “silver tsunami,” we’re framing longevity as a problem instead of one of humanity’s greatest achievements. It turns the longevity bonus into a longevity curse. We should be asking, how do we make the most of increased longevity, both for individuals and society?

HOW WELL IS U.S. POLICY ALIGNED WITH THE NEEDS OF AN AGING POPULATION?

We’re not aligned at all. The public sector alone can’t meet the needs ahead. We need to incentivize private sector solutions and empower nonprofit and community organizations. Right now, both government programs and market dynamics are pushing people into what I call the “forgotten middle”—too rich to qualify for subsidies but too poor for private pay. That’s unsustainable, and the pressure on local and state governments will only grow over the next decade.

WHAT GIVES YOU THE MOST HOPE ABOUT THE FUTURE OF AGING IN AMERICA?

The value of the contributions older adults want to make—and the fact that society needs them. Whether it’s workforce participation, volunteering, or supporting preventative health, older adults will be central to addressing the challenges ahead. Necessity and opportunity are coming together, and that gives me real hope.

Want to hear more from Bob? 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.

What does it take to age well together? On Varsity’s Roundtable Talk, Barbara Sullivan, National Director of the Village to Village Network, shared how the growing “village movement” is helping older adults stay independent while staying connected, redefining what it means to age in place.

Derek and Barbara discussed how villages serve the “missing middle,” the vital role of volunteers, and creative partnerships with senior living, healthcare, and faith-based groups. Barbara also shared how villages combat social isolation and her vision to expand the movement.

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

HOW DO YOU EXPLAIN THE CORE PHILOSOPHY BEHIND THE VILLAGE MOVEMENT?

You know, the village model was created to serve that missing middle, the middle class. It started up in Boston about 25 years ago. It’s an alternative to aging at home — aging in your community — with practical, community-driven support services. Most of the villages are volunteer first, so it’s about neighbor helping neighbor, keeping people active, engaged, and independent.

WHAT INSPIRED THE FOUNDING OF THE VILLAGE TO VILLAGE NETWORK, AND HOW HAS IT EVOLVED SINCE THEN?

The founding was in Boston, when a group of homeowners in the Beacon Hill section said, “We love our homes and neighborhoods — how do we stay here?” Affordability was a factor, too. They opened in 2002, and by 2007, The New York Times wrote about the movement, and it exploded. You saw villages popping up everywhere — Washington, D.C., California, Chicago — all building on that same model of community and independence.

HOW DID YOU FIRST GET INVOLVED WITH THE VILLAGE MOVEMENT?

In 2007, I was an assisted living administrator in Northern Virginia when a group of homeowners approached me about starting a village. My company wasn’t thrilled — they wanted people to move into the community, not stay home — but I fell in love with the model. I joined their board, and by 2010, I was running the village. My passion for older adults really came from my father, who chaired the House Select Committee on Aging. I grew up visiting nursing homes with him — that’s where I caught the bug.

WHAT MAKES THE VILLAGE MODEL DIFFERENT FROM TRADITIONAL SENIOR LIVING COMMUNITIES?

Number one, people are living in their own homes — and more importantly, in their own communities. Villages help people stay independent and live on their own terms. Some people will still need to move into senior living, and that’s okay — we often partner with those communities. We share programs, sponsor events together, and build on each other’s strengths. It’s not competition — it’s collaboration.

WHAT DOES “THE MISSING MIDDLE” MEAN, AND WHY DOES THE VILLAGE MODEL MATTER FOR THAT GROUP?

The “missing middle” are people who can’t afford life-care communities but also don’t qualify for government services. They’re independent but might need small supports — like a ride, help around the house, or connection to community programs. Villages connect those dots. They help people find what’s already in their community and bring purpose back through engagement and volunteering.

WHAT ARE YOUR HOPES FOR THE FUTURE OF THE VILLAGE MOVEMENT?

In five years, I’d love to add 500 villages — a hundred a year. Realistically, that’s a stretch, but we can aim high. We already have about 150 villages that are more than ten years old, which shows the model works. I see more partnerships ahead — with healthcare systems, senior living, and organizations like LeadingAge. We’re here to stay, and the future is about scaling and sustainability through collaboration.

Want to hear more from Barbara? 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.

Recently on Varsity’s podcast, Roundtable Talk, we sat down with Marvell Adams, Jr., a longtime leader in aging services and the founder of W. Lawson, a consulting firm focused on equity and inclusion. He also serves as CEO of Caregiver Action Network, supporting millions of unpaid family caregivers across the country.

Marvell shared how the Longevity and Inclusion Alliance Fellows Program helps leaders embed belonging into aging services. He also discussed the emotional realities of caregiving, the importance of succession planning, and why the future of senior living must be more inclusive, intergenerational, and community-connected.

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

WHAT DOES THE LONGEVITY AND INCLUSION ALLIANCE FELLOWS PROGRAM DO AND WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO CREATE IT?

The mission is to provide leaders throughout our space the support, the courage, and the guidance to lead more inclusively. The Fellows Program is an immersive, all-virtual series of five sessions. Our objective is to provide a safe space for people to really not only be vulnerable, but to learn and grow about being more inclusive and how to really create communities of inclusion and belonging.

HOW DO YOU DEFINE DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION AND WHAT IMPACT ARE YOU TRYING TO MAKE?

Inclusion is a feeling. You can’t just measure it. It comes from a safe space where people feel they can be their whole selves. Equity is about outcomes and being treated fairly and having the same access to benefits, to information, and to upward mobility. Diversity is a choice. Unless those in leadership make the courageous step to create it, diversity won’t show up.

WHAT ROLE DO FAMILY CAREGIVERS PLAY, AND WHAT ARE THEIR BIGGEST NEEDS?

There are over 105 million family caregivers in the U.S., and many don’t even identify themselves as such. What we try to do at Caregiver Action Network is meet them where they are, whether it’s someone supporting a loved one through cancer or just having a bad mental health day. But we always remind caregivers: you can’t pour from an empty cup.

HOW CAN SENIOR LIVING PROVIDERS BETTER SUPPORT CAREGIVERS—EVEN THOSE OUTSIDE THEIR COMMUNITIES?

Most communities have space, so invite caregivers in. Whether it’s a Zoom group for long-distance family or an in-person support group, we need to let caregivers know they are seen. That infrastructure of supporting caregivers is not just retention, it’s recruitment. People will say, “This community gets me.”

Dr. Linda Fried is a world-renowned geriatrician, public health expert, and Dean of Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health. She was also a guest on Varsity’s podcast, Roundtable Talk. A pioneer in the science of healthy aging and frailty, Dr. Fried has dedicated her career to understanding how we can build systems and communities that support longer, healthier, and more purposeful lives.

On the episode, Dr. Fried explored the medical realities of frailty, why physical activity is the best prevention strategy, and how public health systems must evolve to meet the needs of an aging population.

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

HOW DO YOU DEFINE FRAILTY, AND HOW DOES IT DIFFER FROM GENERAL AGING OR DISABILITY?

So what I learned both as a clinician and as a scientist is that there is a clinical and medical condition, which we call frailty, which generally starts with a decline in muscle mass and strength. Over time, what we see is a particular presentation that emerges with loss of muscle, loss of strength, loss of energy, slowing down physically, and in the later stages, unintentional weight loss. When you start seeing a critical mass of them, then you’re seeing somebody who has emerged with the condition of frailty.

HOW EARLY IN LIFE SHOULD WE BE THINKING ABOUT FRAILTY PREVENTION?

The most important thing to do is to make physical activity part of your life and find ways to enjoy it. In the second half of life, we start losing muscle mass, so it’s really important to maintain your strength and to do resistance exercises with some weightlifting. Not a lot. It doesn’t have to be a lot. Three times a week for 20 minutes or so.

CAN FRAILTY BE REVERSED? OR IS IT PRIMARILY ABOUT MANAGING DECLINE?

Until it’s very severe, it’s potentially reversible. But, of course, either preventing it in the first place or slowing down its development through exercise in particular and staying active and engaged in things you love is important.

YOU’VE WRITTEN ABOUT A “THIRD AGE,” A PERIOD OF PURPOSE AND CONTRIBUTION LATER IN LIFE. WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

It’s been very clear to me that many people retire with a goal of making a difference. We have this gift of an extra 30 years of life that we never had. People want roles that matter, they’re not necessarily and often not full-time roles. But they want to contribute in a way that has significance.

Dr. Louise Aronson is a nationally recognized geriatrician, educator, and the bestselling author of Elderhood. As a professor of medicine at UCSF and a leading voice in aging and eldercare, Dr. Aronson challenges cultural and medical assumptions about growing older and advocates for a more nuanced, inclusive view of elderhood.

Recently on Varsity’s podcast, Roundtable Talk, host Derek Dunham and Dr. Aronson discussed why aging should be seen as a diverse, decades-long life stage. She highlighted the impact of ageism in healthcare, the value of intergenerational programs, and the need for better training and broader reforms to help older adults live fully.

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

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO WRITE ELDERHOOD?

I wrote it in my 50s. I had had a good couple plus decades of career of seeing all the things that happened to older people, you know, for better and worse. I had aging parents. I had reached the stage of life where it occurred to me that this was going to happen to me as well. I didn’t see anything out there that quite had the empathy or the breadth I was going for. Then I came up with this notion of elderhood as a sort of equivalence to childhood and adulthood. And I thought that was a reframe that might be helpful for us both as individuals and as a society.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE MOST DAMAGING CULTURAL NARRATIVES ABOUT AGING THAT YOU WISH YOU COULD REWRITE?

That old people don’t count or that we’re all the same after age 65. There’s some sort of primal fear that we’re not dealing with. I think when we equate old age with frailty and when we say being frail is inherently bad, we harm anyone who’s frail at any age. The people I know who live best in old age and die best in old age are ones who recognize their changes, adapt to those changes, and learn how to thrive within them.

WHAT DOES A MORE EMPOWERING AND INCLUSIVE VISION OF ELDERHOOD LOOK LIKE TO YOU?

It looks like an acknowledgement that it’s a many decades long, highly varied phase of life. I also think we need to empower people to embrace the difference instead of apologizing for the difference. It’s the only stage of life where people apologize all the time for existing, for not being able to do things.

WHAT ARE COMMON EXAMPLES OF AGEISM IN MEDICAL PRACTICE?

There’s people talking, using elder speak. Things like, “Oh dear. Let me help you with that, sweetheart,” which is just shocking and insulting and condescending. And then when the person doesn’t do well, they say they failed the treatment or they couldn’t tolerate the treatment.  Perhaps the most frequent one is either saying, “We’re not going to give you this because you’re 84,” or giving something dangerous to someone too frail to handle it.

On a recent episode of Varsity’s podcast, Roundtable Talk, we sat down with Andrew Carle, a nationally recognized expert in senior living and the founder of UniversityRetirementCommunities.com. With more than three decades in the field, Andrew has served as a senior living executive, educator, and consultant. Today, he continues to lead innovation as an adjunct professor at Georgetown University.

In his conversation with Roundtable Talk host Derek Dunham, Andrew shared how university retirement communities (URCs) are reshaping the future of aging. He also shared his five-point framework for successful URCs and his theory that URCs could even slow or reverse aspects of aging by tapping into powerful college-era memories.

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

WHAT SPARKED YOUR INTEREST IN UNIVERSITY RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES (URCS)?

Well, it goes back a ways, but 25 years ago, I had joined George Mason University to create what was then the first academic program for senior living administrators in the country. I found out that there were a couple of universities that had retirement communities. I visited the ones that existed, came back and I realized this could reinvent everything. I created a five criteria model around which I thought they should be structured. I published that in 2006. And in the last 20 years or so, most of them have kind of been built to that model.

WHAT ARE THE MUST-HAVES THAT DIFFERENTIATE A GREAT URC FROM A MEDIOCRE ONE?

Foundationally do this: if you are close to the university, that’s number one. Number two, do you formalize programming between the community and the university? Do you offer the full continuum of care? Then the financial commitment. Both sides financially incentivized for the long-term success. And then the fifth element: you need to have at least 10% of the residents who have some connection with the school. That’s going to bring the culture.

HOW CLOSE DOES A COMMUNITY NEED TO BE TO BE CONSIDERED A URC?

The one thing 80-year-olds and 20-year-olds have in common is none of them have cars. Once you got outside of about a mile of that campus, once you got outside that bubble, you didn’t feel like you were part of the campus. I like to see them within a mile. Once you get past three, four, five miles, what do you really have to do with that campus?

WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES UNIVERSITIES FACE IN ESTABLISHING A URC?

You can’t find a bigger odd couple than universities and fast paced investor and driven senior living providers. They speak two completely different languages. You need to have the senior living providers who understand how to access the university without being driven nuts by all the bureaucracy.