Tag: caregiving

The future of aging services may depend less on adding more programs and more on rebuilding something many communities have quietly lost: human connection. 

Across healthcare, caregiving and senior living, loneliness and isolation are increasingly driving both physical and emotional health challenges, forcing organizations to rethink how care, housing and support systems are designed for a rapidly aging population. That was the focus of a recent conversation on Varsity’s weekly Roundtable featuring Angela Bovill of Ascentria Care Alliance, who shared insights drawn from decades of experience across the broader human services landscape. Below are a few Fresh Perspectives from her discussion.

ISOLATION MAY BE THE BIGGEST HEALTH CRISIS WE’RE OVERLOOKING

Across nearly every population Ascentria serves, loneliness and disconnection are driving both mental and physical health challenges. Aging services can’t just focus on care delivery anymore — they also have to rebuild human connection and community.

PEOPLE DON’T LIVE THEIR LIVES IN CATEGORIES

Aging, disability, caregiving, immigration status and economic hardship often overlap in the same person or family. Systems built around isolated labels and funding silos don’t reflect how people actually live or what holistic care truly requires.

AI SHOULD REDUCE ADMINISTRATIVE BURDEN, NOT REPLACE HUMAN CARE

Technology can absolutely help streamline paperwork, compliance and back-office work, but replacing companionship, empathy and trust with AI risks deepening the very isolation already harming people.

MULTIGENERATIONAL AND SHARED LIVING MODELS ARE LIKELY TO GROW

Traditional aging-in-place models may become increasingly difficult as workforce shortages intensify. ADUs, co-living arrangements and multigenerational housing could become more practical, affordable and socially connected alternatives.

SENIOR LIVING COMMUNITIES NEED TO MOVE BEYOND “CARETAKING”

Older adults still want purpose, contribution and engagement with broader communities. Future models will need to create opportunities for residents to mentor, volunteer, work and remain integrated into everyday life rather than simply being cared for.

SOCIAL ENTERPRISES CAN CREATE BOTH IMPACT AND FINANCIAL STABILITY

By turning mission-driven expertise into sustainable businesses, organizations can generate revenue, create jobs and reduce dependence on shifting government funding or donor priorities.

THE FUTURE OF AGING SERVICES WILL REQUIRE BIGGER, MORE CREATIVE THINKING

Current systems were largely built for a different era of family structure, economics and longevity. Solving today’s aging challenges will require reimagining housing, caregiving, workforce development and community connection at the same time.

QUOTES

“I eat, breathe, and sleep senior living. And so having a chance to have a conversation about where the industry is at, where we’re going, what’s working and what’s not is one of my favorite things to do.” (Steve)

“We’ve had the best occupancy that we have ever had in my lifetime.” (Steve)

“It’s all about the operator and how they run their business because it can be super successful or really, really tough.” (Steve)

“The word I would put to it is the word tentative — that we’ve kind of got something that works pretty well, the returns are pretty good, and there’s a lot of hesitancy to change anything because it’s sort of working.” (Steve)

“We don’t have a staffing crisis, we’ve got a culture crisis. As long as there are people who are willing to work at McDonald’s and Taco Bell and Starbucks, we don’t have a staffing crisis.” (Steve)

“When we create a great work environment, a place where people feel valued, where they love coming to work every day, where they’re feeling like they’re making a huge difference, they’ll tell their friends about it.” (Steve)

“I think to not post pricing is a huge, huge mistake.” (Steve)

“We need big, bold stories that should be told.” (Steve)

“We should be our worst critics. We should be saying, what is it that we’re doing wrong? How do we get this right? How do we do it better?” (Steve)

NOTES

Steve Moran is the founder and publisher of Senior Living Foresight, one of the most widely read media platforms in the senior housing industry. A longtime commentator and thought leader, Moran is known for his candid perspectives on occupancy, workforce culture, innovation, leadership and the future of aging services. At 71, he also brings the perspective of someone personally navigating aging and senior care decisions for his own family.

Senior Living Foresight is a media and thought leadership platform focused on the senior living industry. Through articles, interviews, podcasts and commentary, the organization explores challenges and opportunities facing operators, caregivers and residents. Recently acquired by Procare HR, the platform continues expanding its editorial reach while maintaining Moran’s independent voice and focus on improving the industry.

Moran discussed how the senior living industry is experiencing record occupancy levels, yet many operators still seem apprehensive, almost expecting another crisis around the corner after the lingering effects of COVID. He emphasized that success in senior living often comes down to operational leadership and culture, pointing out that some communities are thriving while others continue to struggle.

He expressed concern about increasing ownership by large investment groups focused primarily on short-term returns, arguing that this can limit innovation and resident-centered experiences. Moran believes many communities still operate as a “last resort” rather than a desirable lifestyle choice.

Drawing from his own experiences, Moran shared that today’s boomers may not be as different as many assume. While older adults want autonomy and meaningful experiences, they still share many of the same emotional and practical needs previous generations faced as they aged.

Moran argued that senior living communities often fail to give residents enough control over their own lives, using examples like residents battling management over choosing television programming in common areas. He believes future communities must empower residents rather than dictate daily experiences.

On staffing, Moran challenged the common narrative of a workforce shortage, saying the industry actually faces a culture problem more than a staffing crisis. He explained that organizations with strong leadership, meaningful work environments and supportive cultures consistently attract applicants and retain employees.

He stressed the importance of storytelling in both recruitment and marketing. According to Moran, operators need to tell compelling stories about how senior living changes lives for residents, families and staff members rather than relying solely on amenities and clinical messaging.

Moran also highlighted the emotional complexity families face when choosing senior living communities, drawing from his own experiences helping his stepfather transition through multiple communities. He believes operators need greater transparency around pricing, care expectations and the realities families may encounter after move-in.

Looking ahead, Moran sees technology, AI and robotics playing increasingly important roles in senior living, though he believes the industry still struggles with fragmented systems and implementation challenges. He also predicts that future successful operators will prioritize employees, listen more carefully to residents and families and create experiences that inspire genuine brand evangelism rather than simple customer satisfaction.

Dementia care is too often framed around what’s lost—memory, independence, identity—when in reality, the opportunity lies in recognizing what remains and how people continue to adapt. Shifting that perspective doesn’t just change care outcomes, it changes how teams communicate, how organizations train staff, and how families stay connected through moments that might otherwise feel overwhelming.

That was the focus of a recent conversation on Varsity’s weekly Roundtable, where we welcomed Teepa Snow, founder of Positive Approach to Care®. Known for her practical, human-centered approach, Teepa shared how reframing dementia from decline to ability can unlock better interactions, stronger relationships and more effective support systems across senior living. Below are a few Fresh Perspectives from her discussion.

PEOPLE DON’T STOP, THEY SHIFT

Dementia doesn’t mean someone is doing less, it means they’re doing things differently. When one pathway breaks down, the brain adapts and finds another way forward.

BEHAVIOR IS COMMUNICATION, NOT DISRUPTION

What looks like repetition, frustration or withdrawal is often a person trying to communicate, stay engaged or solve a problem without the tools they once had.

DEMENTIA ISN’T JUST MEMORY

When we treat dementia as forgetfulness alone, we miss the broader signs like language loss, confusion or physical changes and delay the support that could make a difference.

HOW YOU SHOW UP CHANGES EVERYTHING

The difference between resistance and cooperation often comes down to approach. Directing and correcting creates tension, while partnering builds trust and keeps interactions human.

SUPPORT STARTS WITH CURIOSITY

The strongest care doesn’t assume it understands the situation. It asks what’s working, what’s not and meets people where they are to tailor support that actually helps.

SKILL IS THE MISSING INFRASTRUCTURE

Dementia care isn’t something people just “figure out.” Without training, coaching and real-time reinforcement, even good intentions can lead to frustration and breakdowns in care.

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. 

Dementia is often defined by what people lose, but a more helpful question is what abilities remain. In a recent episode of Varsity’s Roundtable Talk, Derek sat down with Teepa Snow, occupational therapist, educator and founder of Positive Approach to Care, one of the most influential voices in dementia care.

Their conversation explored why fear still shapes public perceptions of dementia, how communication must adapt as brain changes occur and why Snow prefers the term “care partner” over caregiver. She also discusses caregiver burnout and the importance of building stronger community support around people living with dementia. The following are some fresh perspectives from their conversation. Check out the full episode here. 

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO TAKE A POSITIVE APPROACH TO DEMENTIA CARE?

Well, in my experience, I can’t use what you can’t do. It’s not possible. What I can do is engage with you and see what you have. And that’s where we can come into a relationship and I can work with you. I need to tune in to the reality of who you are now, not just who you were and what you’re capable of, because that’s what we have to work with and come together with.

WHY IS FEAR STILL THE DOMINANT EMOTION PEOPLE ASSOCIATE WITH DEMENTIA?

I think human beings, as a rule, like the predictable. They like once they master something, they don’t have to think about it so much. And I think what dementia does is rob us of our knowingness. It forces us back into a space of paying attention, being observant. The reality is dementia is ever changing. You don’t get to relax into routine. You have to stay alert, and maybe people don’t want to be on the job so much.

WHAT MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT DEMENTIA DO THE MOST HARM?

The idea that everybody experiences the same kind of losses and changes in the same order. Alzheimer’s tends to take the front seat, but if I’m living with Lewy body or vascular dementia, my symptoms may be very different. It pays to get a pattern established of what I’m living with and how it’s going. And people also think it only happens to older adults and that it’s all about memory. Memory is just this much. There’s a whole lot more going on.

HOW EARLY SHOULD PEOPLE START LEARNING ABOUT BRAIN HEALTH AND CHANGE?

I would like us to learn more about brain health and wellness when we’re younger. Kids know their body parts, but they don’t know the brain parts, and those are super important. If I know how my brain’s supposed to work, then I can notice when it’s doing something unusual. We tend to wait until there’s so much evidence something isn’t going well, and by then we’re past screening and dealing with significant change.

WHY DO YOU PREFER THE TERM “CARE PARTNER” OVER “CAREGIVER”

I believe there is no care about me without me. It’s time to quit treating someone living with dementia like they’re a football and we’re passing them around. It’s their life, their care. I’ve got to figure out how to work with that human being. I can’t just give care because if I give it, you have to receive it. If you don’t want it, you don’t want it. So I have to partner with you.

WHAT ARE EARLY SIGNS OF CARE PARTNER BURNOUT?

If I were to ask you to tell me three things you’ve done today for yourself and you can’t, that’s a sign. If you can’t tell me something you feel good about in your relationship or something that brings you pleasure, it’s time to have a conversation. We don’t train people for this work. We drop them into it and they keep going until they drop. We need to build community around this, not expect one person to carry it all.

Want to hear more from Teepa? 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.

QUOTES

“I can’t use what you can’t do. What I can do is engage with you and see what you have. That’s where we can come into a relationship and work together.” (Teepa)

“When you’ve lost something, your brain doesn’t give up. Your brain picks something else to use.” (Teepa)

“Dementia robs us of our knowingness. It forces us back into paying attention and being observant because it’s always changing.” (Teepa)

“I need to tune in to the reality of who you are now, not just who you were and what you used to be capable of.” (Teepa)

“People think dementia is all about memory, but memory is this much. There’s all this other stuff going on.” (Teepa)

“The relationship is going to change dramatically. Living with brain change is hard whether you’re on the inside of it or the outside observing it.” (Teepa)

“My job is not to decide that someone is suffering. My job is to figure out how to support you through what you’re going through.” (Teepa)

“I believe there is no care about me without me. It’s their life and their care, and I have to figure out how to partner with them in it.” (Teepa)

“The reality is they’re not less, they’re different. Their brain works differently, but they’re still living life.” (Teepa)

“Eighty percent or more of this work is done by unpaid people like family and friends, and we don’t train them. We just drop them into it and they keep going until they drop.” (Teepa)

“We need at least three people, maybe five or more. We need to build community around this condition.” (Teepa)

NOTES

Teepa Snow is an occupational therapist, educator and one of the most recognized voices in dementia care. She is known for helping families, care partners and senior living professionals better understand brain change and build more meaningful connections with people living with dementia.

Snow is the founder of Positive Approach to Care, an organization focused on improving dementia care through training, education and practical support strategies. The organization works with families, senior living providers and healthcare professionals around the world to build skills and confidence in supporting people experiencing brain change.

Through Positive Approach to Care and the Snow Approach Foundation, Teepa and her team provide training programs, professional education and community-based demonstrations designed to improve dementia care practices. Her work emphasizes practical communication techniques, recognizing remaining abilities and building supportive communities around people living with dementia. Her programs now reach professionals and families across the United States, Canada and more than two dozen countries.

A positive approach to dementia care focuses on what abilities remain rather than what has been lost, meeting people where they are and building connection through observation, tone, body language and supportive communication.

Fear often dominates public perceptions of dementia because the condition disrupts routines and predictability, forcing family members and care partners to stay attentive and adapt constantly as abilities change.

Dementia is often misunderstood as primarily a memory problem affecting older adults, but brain change can involve many other cognitive functions and can also appear earlier in life depending on the type of dementia.

Communication challenges arise because people living with dementia may struggle to retain new information, making it important for care partners to simplify questions, provide visual cues and offer structured choices rather than open-ended requests.

Care partners often experience burnout because most dementia support is provided by unpaid family members who receive little training or preparation for the emotional and practical demands of caregiving.

Snow encourages replacing the term “caregiver” with “care partner,” emphasizing that the person living with dementia remains the central decision-maker in their own life and that support should be collaborative rather than controlling.

Effective dementia care requires broader community support systems, with multiple people sharing responsibility rather than placing the entire burden on a single family member.

Senior living organizations can improve dementia support by training staff to recognize individual histories, preferences and abilities, allowing residents to continue experiencing purpose, independence and meaningful engagement even as cognitive abilities change.

Season 1 of Roundtable Talk set out to challenge everything we think we know about aging and ended up reframing what’s possible across an entire lifetime.

Across more than 20 conversations, Varsity’s aging and longevity podcast brought together gerontologists, policymakers, innovators, artists, journalists, and senior living leaders who are reshaping how we live, work, and contribute as we age. From public health and technology to purpose, creativity, and community, each guest added a vital layer to a more hopeful, human-centered narrative of longevity.

The season opened with cultural icons and truth-tellers like Garrison Keillor and Mo Rocca, who reminded us that humor, curiosity, and engagement don’t fade with age—they sharpen. Terry Farrell brought a deeply personal perspective on reinvention and authenticity, while Diane Harris and Dr. Sara Zeff Geber tackled the realities of solo aging, financial longevity, and planning for independence without fear.

Leading voices in aging science and public health—including Dr. Linda Fried, Dr. Louise Aronson, Dr. Kerry Burnight, and Dr. David Katz—challenged ageism head-on, reframed frailty and wellness, and made a compelling case for focusing on health span, not just life span. Their insights made it clear that aging well isn’t accidental—it’s systemic, behavioral, and deeply connected to how we design communities and care.

Innovation emerged as a recurring theme through conversations with Rick Robinson, Laurie Orlov, Dr. Tom Kamber, and Rob Liebreich, who explored how technology—from AI to digital literacy to cognitive health tools—can support independence, connection, and dignity when designed with older adults, not just for them.

The season also spotlighted bold models for aging with purpose and belonging. Andrew Carle and Lindsey Beagley explored university-based retirement communities and lifelong learning as antidotes to isolation. Barbara Sullivan highlighted the power of grassroots villages. Bridget Weston showed how older adults are fueling entrepreneurship through mentorship, while Brian Fried proved creativity and invention have no expiration date.

Rounding out the season, industry leaders like Larry Carlson, Scott Townsley, Marvell Adams Jr., Peter Murphy Lewis, and Dr. Robyn Stone confronted the hard truths facing senior living, caregiving, workforce sustainability, and inclusion, offering both critique and optimism for what comes next.

QUOTES

“Caregivers were fighting against a negative perception, a negative narrative, a negative reputation that started before COVID but was accentuated during COVID by bad media.” (Peter)

“These people that were great caregivers don’t get the recognition that they deserve.” (Peter)

“If you put the caregiver at the front, nobody’s going to criticize a caregiver.” (Peter)

“People think of CNAs as cleaning bathrooms and changing diapers. They don’t realize how beautiful it is in the relationship that you get to make.” (Peter)

“Stories are pretty much the only thing that can change our opinion in life. Documentaries do it better because they’re long enough to show the contradictions of humankind.” (Peter)

“They just have a mechanism where they can compartmentalize and feel fulfilled making other people feel great through their acts of service.” (Peter)

“What a badge of honor if the nursing home is so great that your resident brings in the caregivers, recruits their own family.” (Peter)

“I love being forced to learn something that corrects where I was wrong.” (Peter)

“Curiosity is not just part of my personality—it’s an attribute I should strive for and that humans should strive for.” (Peter)

“Almost everything has been because of tears. There were moments where we just held each other’s hands and sobbed for minutes while the cameras kept rolling.” (Peter)

NOTES

Peter Murphy Lewis is a documentary filmmaker, storyteller, and advocate who co-created People Worth Caring About, a podcast and video series spotlighting frontline caregivers in long-term care communities across the United States.

People Worth Caring About shares authentic, heartfelt stories of caregivers working in retirement and long-term care communities. Through podcasts and a multi-part documentary series, the project elevates unsung heroes, challenges stereotypes, and helps shift the public narrative around aging and caregiving.

Peter began his career in long-term care in 2020 and later became a CNA to better understand the field. Drawing from his background in South American television, he adapted his storytelling format to senior living, resulting in a growing series now available on smart TVs nationwide. The project has expanded beyond Nebraska to states like Ohio and New Mexico, with more seasons in the works.

Peter was motivated to create the series after seeing caregivers struggle with negative perceptions of long-term care.

His grandparents’ positive experiences in a nursing home inspired him to spotlight caregivers who rarely receive recognition.

By focusing on staff instead of owners or executives, the series avoids criticism and builds empathy through authentic caregiver stories.

Filming in hospice revealed the deep, life-affirming relationships between residents and young caregivers.

Stories like Kevin calling his nursing home “my home” challenged Peter’s own assumptions about language and dignity.

Intergenerational and family-based caregiving, from Subway recruits to residents’ grandchildren, shows the community power of senior living.

Peter believes documentaries shape narratives because they’re long enough to show the contradictions of human nature.

His hope is to continue expanding the series to more states, changing perceptions of caregiving while also inspiring young people to join the field.