Tag: Senior Living

Allen’s book, The Work is Never Done, is available on Amazon and via Sunbury Press. 

QUOTES

“I recognized some of my clients (when I was practicing law) were right, but I couldn’t win because the law was wrong. That’s whenever I really finally decided maybe my role could be best served as the lawmaker.” (Allen)

“I realized no matter what you accomplish, future generations are also going to be responsible. You can’t take things for granted that once it’s done, it’s done.” (Allen)

“My goal was to make sure that no matter what happened, every child could have health care. That’s what started that process that led to the Children’s Health Insurance Program.” (Allen)

“I found that democracy works best when officials listen to those individuals and take action and show them how the state can really amplify and accomplish what they need done.” (Allen)

“If I just get the program started, even if it only helped one tenth of the people I wanted to, my goal then was to keep ratcheting it up until we could get more and more help.” (Allen)

“I learned a lot more by listening to what they had to say, because in their homes and their communities, they knew more importantly than somebody like I did.” (Allen)

“You can’t fake sincerity and people see through that.” (Allen)

“I’ve been fortunate to have all this extra time. So I treat each day very differently. I treat it better, I embrace it more with each day. I try to get as much done as possible. I’ve gotten away from doing almost everything else except working on the things that matter.” (Allen)

“The most important thing to me is to be in touch with the people that have mattered and made an impact on me throughout my life. The more I did that, the more rewarding it is.” (Allen)

“It makes me prioritize what matters. I can’t just spend all my time on a broad array of things and you accomplish less that way. But if you really prioritize and focus and understand what you can accomplish in the time you’re given, then every extra hour, every increment you have becomes even more precious.” (Allen)

“I just want people to remember how I treated them and how I thought they needed to be treated, and they needed to be listened to. I’m not so concerned about my legacy for who I was and what I did.” (Allen)

“Making a living is only a part of it. Making a life is, if at least for a small time, a short time of your life on one issue or another, you accomplish something for somebody else that can never be taken away from you at all.” (Allen)

NOTES

Allen Kukovich is a former Pennsylvania state legislator, attorney and author who spent nearly three decades in public service. Throughout his career, he championed legislation to expand health care access, protect older adults and support families facing financial hardship. He is also a nine-year survivor of stage four pancreatic cancer.

Allen is the author of The Work Is Never Done: A Call to Service, Courage, Compassion, and the Common Good, published by Sunbury Press. The book draws on his experiences in public office and his personal journey to encourage people of all ages to embrace public service, find purpose and make a difference.

Allen helped establish Pennsylvania’s Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), inspired by a widowed mother who lost her family’s health insurance after her husband’s death. The Pennsylvania program later helped inform the expansion of children’s health coverage nationwide.

He also supported Pennsylvania’s PACE prescription assistance program for older adults, worked to protect Medicare beneficiaries from overcharges and helped develop a mortgage assistance program that has saved approximately 60,000 Pennsylvania homes from foreclosure.

Allen’s interest in public service began during the civil rights and anti-Vietnam War movements of the 1960s and intensified following the Kent State shootings in 1970. As a practicing attorney, he realized that some clients had legitimate grievances but couldn’t win their cases because the laws themselves needed to change. That realization helped inspire his transition into politics.

Early in his political career, Allen believed he could introduce reforms, solve problems and move on. He eventually learned that progress requires ongoing attention because legislation can be changed, programs can lose funding and new generations must continue the work. That realization inspired the title of his book, The Work Is Never Done.

One of the most important lessons Allen learned in public office was the value of listening. He found that people experiencing problems firsthand often understood those issues better than elected officials. Effective public policy requires both solid data and personal stories that demonstrate how legislation can improve people’s lives.

Allen believes compromise is essential to meaningful progress. Rather than allowing a promising program to fail because it couldn’t accomplish everything immediately, he often preferred establishing a smaller program and expanding it over time. Getting something started creates a foundation for future improvements.

For people entering retirement, Allen emphasizes the importance of staying engaged, finding purpose and contributing to something meaningful. He encourages people to identify the issues that matter most to them and take action, whether through volunteering, advocacy, teaching or other forms of community involvement.

Allen’s stage four pancreatic cancer diagnosis nine years ago dramatically changed his relationship with time. Initially facing a prognosis of just three to six months, he benefited from emerging treatments at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. The experience taught him to prioritize what matters most and appreciate each additional day.

Living with cancer also inspired Allen to reconnect with longtime friends and people who had influenced his life. Approaching 80, he considers maintaining those relationships one of his greatest priorities and finds that the more he reaches out, the more rewarding those connections become.

When reflecting on his legacy, Allen is less concerned about being remembered for specific legislative accomplishments than for how he treated people. He hopes his work inspires future generations to listen, serve others and continue improving the common good.

Allen believes there’s an important difference between making a living and making a life. Financial security matters, but he encourages people to find opportunities to accomplish something meaningful for someone else. Those contributions, regardless of their size, can provide a lasting sense of fulfillment.

The following is a recap from Varsity’s Roundtable, 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. 

What makes a great experience memorable? Sometimes it’s the smallest details, like a warm welcome, a thoughtful gesture or a personal touch that makes someone feel valued. The hospitality industry has spent decades perfecting these experiences, and there are valuable lessons for senior living organizations looking to strengthen resident satisfaction, build connections and stand out in an increasingly competitive marketplace.

Ginna Baik, Senior Director of Business Development at Hilton, joined Varsity’s weekly Roundtable to share insights from her career at the intersection of technology, hospitality and senior living. Drawing on her experience with companies including AOL, Yahoo and Hilton, Ginna explored how hospitality-inspired approaches can improve resident experiences, support brain health and wellness and create new opportunities for senior living operators. Below are a few Fresh Perspectives from her discussion.

AGE TECH AND HOSPITALITY CAN SOLVE MANY OF THE SAME CHALLENGES

From social isolation and safety to staffing shortages and rising costs, both industries are working to improve experiences and operations. Combining technology with hospitality expertise can help senior living communities address these challenges in new ways.

HOSPITALITY STANDARDS CAN ELEVATE THE RESIDENT EXPERIENCE

Hilton has developed consistent service standards across its brands, supported by employee training and attention to detail. Senior living organizations can apply similar approaches to complement quality care and create more memorable, welcoming experiences.

BRAIN HEALTH IS A GROWING PRIORITY FOR OLDER ADULTS

Research shows that 43% of adults 50 and older are concerned about dementia, while 75% are willing to take action to protect their brain health. Senior living can respond by focusing on four pillars of wellness: eating, sleeping, moving and connecting.

BETTER EXPERIENCES CAN CREATE NEW REVENUE OPPORTUNITIES

Encouraging residents to enjoy dining, gathering spaces and other amenities can strengthen social connections while generating additional revenue. Hospitality-inspired concepts like small marketplaces and enhanced dining experiences offer opportunities to benefit both residents and operators.

SMALL GESTURES CAN MAKE A BIG IMPRESSION

DoubleTree’s signature warm cookie demonstrates how a simple, consistent hospitality experience can create a lasting emotional connection. Senior living organizations should consider what unique, memorable touches can differentiate their communities and make residents and families feel at home.

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The following is a guest blog entry from Larry Carlson. Larry is an advisor, board member, and author of Avandell: Reimagining the Dementia Experience. A longtime CEO in senior living, he now writes and speaks about helping older adults finish strong — living with purpose, vitality, and impact in their third age.

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Mary Jane turns into the circular drive of the senior living community that will now be home. A moving truck follows close behind. She pulls to the entrance and turns off the engine. Inside that truck are the furniture, artwork and boxes accumulated over a lifetime. But Mary Jane is bringing far more with her than what is packed in those boxes.

For decades, she ran a business. She served on the school board. She chaired a capital campaign at her church. She organized meals when neighbors were sick. She raised three children. People sought her advice. When something needed to get done, they called her.

The doors to her new community open. The receptionist welcomes her warmly. There are flowers waiting in her apartment. She is shown the dining venues, fitness center and gathering spaces. The dining room host explains how to make a dinner reservation.  The concierge shows her how to sign up for programs and arrange transportation.

Everyone is gracious. Everything has been designed around her. And yet, something subtle may have happened in the transition.

Yesterday, people asked for her judgment. Today, we’re asking for her preferences.

WE’VE COME A LONG WAY

I have spent much of my career in senior living, and I have watched our field change enormously. Much of that change has been for the better.

We moved away from an institutional model in which older adults were too often viewed primarily through the lens of what they needed. We replaced institutional schedules with choice. Facilities became communities. Food service became dining. Activities became engagement. We built environments that offered greater independence, personalization and hospitality.

More recently, we have become increasingly sophisticated about the consumer experience. We listen more carefully to what prospective residents want. We offer more choices. We think about convenience, hospitality, wellness and lifestyle. We measure satisfaction and continually look for ways to create a better resident experience.

We should be proud of that evolution.

But I wonder if we’re finished.

What if the next step in senior living isn’t simply creating an even better consumer experience? What if it is rethinking the role residents themselves occupy within the community?

What if the next evolution is from consumer to citizen?

CHOICE IS NOT THE SAME AS AGENCY

The word consumer carries an assumption. Consumers receive something created by someone else. They choose among floor plans. They select dining options. They decide which programs interest them. They choose whether to use the fitness center, attend a lecture or take the shuttle into town.

Those choices matter. Having control over one’s daily life matters enormously.

But choice and agency aren’t quite the same thing.

Choice asks, Which of these options would you like?

Agency asks, What role can I have in shaping the options themselves?

That’s a different relationship. And it may be especially important when we consider the people now entering our communities.

They have spent 70, 80 or more years being far more than consumers. They have been executives and teachers, nurses and entrepreneurs, parents and grandparents, volunteers and board members. They have led organizations, built businesses, served churches and synagogues, coached teams, supported nonprofits and strengthened neighborhoods.

They have made decisions. Solved problems. Accepted responsibility. Influenced institutions. Helped other people. Then one day they cross the threshold into senior living.

Why would we assume that a lifetime of agency should suddenly become primarily a lifetime of preference?

WHAT IF WE THOUGHT ABOUT CITIZENSHIP INSTEAD?  

I’m not using citizenship in its governmental or legal sense. Nor am I suggesting another name for resident engagement.

I mean something more fundamental.

Citizens belong to a community. They have a stake in its well-being. They have a voice in its life. They contribute something of themselves. And they have an investment in making the community better.

That last part matters.

To be clear, I’m not suggesting that residents become owners, board members or members of some sort of homeowners association. Nor am I suggesting that responsibility for operating the community somehow shifts from management to residents. Senior living organizations have boards, leaders and team members with very real fiduciary, regulatory and operational responsibilities. Citizenship doesn’t blur those lines. It simply recognizes that living in a community can mean more than receiving what the organization provides. It is reciprocal. A community has responsibilities to its citizens, but citizens also have something to contribute to their community.

That shifts the underlying question.

Instead of only asking, What can we do for residents? we begin asking, What can residents do with us?

Instead of simply creating community for people, we begin imagining how we might create community with them.

That’s more than engagement. It’s belonging with consequence.

THE PARADOX OF HOSPITALITY

There is an interesting tension here for an industry that has worked hard—and rightly so—to embrace hospitality.

Hospitality was an enormous step forward. We wanted people entering senior living to experience warmth, welcome, service and choice rather than institutional routines.

But hospitality contains an assumption of its own.

There is a host.

And there is a guest.

That makes perfect sense when I check into a hotel for four nights. I am a guest, and I hope the people who work there create an exceptional experience for me.

But what happens when I sell my house, move my furniture, change my address and come to live somewhere for perhaps the next 10 or 15 years? At what point do I stop being your guest? At what point does this become my community, too?

Citizenship gives us another way to think about that relationship.

It doesn’t require abandoning hospitality or consumer experience. Residents still deserve exceptional service, meaningful choices, beautiful environments and personalized experiences.

Citizenship builds upon those accomplishments.

Perhaps the evolution looks something like this:

INSTITUTION → HOSPITALITY → CITIZENSHIP

The institutional model essentially said: We’ll take care of you.

The hospitality model added: We’ll create an excellent experience for you.

Citizenship adds something else: You belong here. Your voice matters. What you bring matters. And this community is partly yours to shape.

WHAT IF WE’RE NOT FINISHED? 

There are significant implications to thinking this way. It could change how we market senior living and the story we tell prospective residents. It could change the questions we ask during the sales process. And it could challenge us to examine what agency, voice and contribution really mean once someone becomes part of the community.

Those are questions worth exploring, and I’ll turn to them in the next two articles in this series.

But before getting to the answers, perhaps we need to sit with the larger question. Senior living has made tremendous progress by asking how we can create better experiences for the people who choose our communities.

Maybe the next evolution begins with a different question:

What would change if we stopped asking only how to create a better resident experience—and started asking how to create a community worth being a citizen of?

Living longer is one thing. Staying healthy enough to enjoy those extra years is another. In this episode of Varsity’s Roundtable Talk, Derek sits down with Dr. Joan Salge Blake, a registered dietitian, Boston University nutrition professor and nationally recognized expert on nutrition and wellness, to explore how what we eat can influence our health and quality of life as we age.

In their conversation, Derek and Dr. Blake discuss how nutritional needs change with age, why frozen and canned foods deserve more credit and how to separate sound nutrition advice from the latest food fads. They also explore the Mediterranean approach to healthy living and why enjoying meals with others may be just as important as what’s on the plate.

Check out the full episode here. 

HOW MUCH INFLUENCE DOES WHAT WE EAT HAVE ON OUR HEALTHSPAN, NOT JUST OUR LIFESPAN?

We’re lucky with medicine that we can be kept alive for a long time, and that’s wonderful. But you want to be healthy for a long time. That’s where good diet and nutrition throughout your life can help you do that. The projected lifespan now is around 79, and back in the 1970s, it was only around 70. So we just got a decade going on here, and that’s great. A lot of that is because of good medicine, good nutrition and good lifestyle.

IF SOMEONE REACHES THEIR 60S OR 70S AND HASN’T ALWAYS EATEN WELL, CAN THEY STILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

A lot. Go for it! It’s never too late to start eating more healthfully. As you get older, things change in your body. Your metabolism slows down. What you could eat at 30, you can’t eat at 40. What you could eat at 40, you can’t eat at 60. Mother Nature is just not nice! So you have to be very savvy to make sure you’re getting enough good nutrition into your life and maybe change it. Changing at 60 or 70 is a really, really good thing. It’s never too late to make that plate more healthy.

DO OUR NUTRITIONAL NEEDS CHANGE AS WE GET OLDER?

Because your metabolism is slowing down, you don’t need as many calories as you did when you were 20 or 30. So you’ve got to make sure every calorie counts. There’s not a lot of room in the diet for sweets and treats because I’ve got to get these fruits and vegetables, grains, vitamins, minerals and fiber in there. I have to make each bite count. 

That doesn’t mean you can’t have sweets, but small amounts. In addition to your calorie needs being reduced, some of your nutrient needs go up as you age. Your calcium needs go up, your vitamin D needs go up. So your diet really needs to be balanced based on your age, medical history and lifestyle.

HOW CAN SHARING MEALS WITH OTHERS CONTRIBUTE TO HEALTHY AGING AND LONGEVITY?

Being with other people, talking, going out and most importantly, dining with other people is so important. That connection with other people is a really important part of longevity. Let’s go back to Italy and the Mediterranean diet and lifestyle. There’s a community of family and neighbors, and that helps with longevity. Make the dates. Set up dates. On Thursday, you eat with somebody. On Friday, you eat with somebody else. Get that calendar filled so you’re around people. You’re going to find that it’s so supportive. It helps lower your stress and helps you feel happier, which is great for longevity.

QUOTES

“It’s like a marathon that you’re running and you want to feed yourself healthfully for the long haul. So the sooner that you can start a healthy diet, it’s never too late.” (Dr. Blake)

“It’s never too late to make that plate more healthy.” (Dr. Blake)

“Your mother told you to eat the vegetables on your plate, but you didn’t listen. You should be listening to her. We’re not getting enough vegetables in our diet.” (Dr. Blake)

“Fresh is not always best. Let me tell you why, Derek. Sometimes, all good intentions, you go and you buy that broccoli and it’s fresh and it’s just gorgeous. And then you take it home and you put it in your refrigerator in the vegetable bin, which I call the produce graveyard.” (Dr. Blake)

“As you get older, you’re going to be losing lean muscle tissue. So what you want to do is make sure that you have enough protein in your diet to synthesize that lean muscle tissue during the day.” (Dr. Blake)

“Food is your first line of defense. A supplement, if you have it on top of a very unhealthy diet, it isn’t really going to do much.” (Dr. Blake)

“It is the Wild West in the supplement aisle. And you could be taking things that you don’t need or that maybe go against the medications that you may be having, spending a lot of money on supplements that you don’t need.” (Dr. Blake)

“There’s no superfood, but there are super diets.” (Dr. Blake)

“If I see protein being put in toothpaste, I’m packing it in, okay? I mean, protein is going in everything right now, and it’s absolutely crazy.” (Dr. Blake)

“Everybody eats and because everybody eats they think they’re sometimes an expert on nutrition and they are not.” (Dr. Blake)

“That connection with other people is a really, really important part of longevity. It’s always this community that is going on and that helps with longevity. Get that calendar filled so that you’re around people. You’re going to find that it’s so supportive. It helps lower your stress. It helps you feel happier, which is going to be great for longevity.” (Dr. Blake)

NOTES

Dr. Joan Salge Blake is a registered dietitian, nutrition professor at Boston University and nationally recognized expert on nutrition, wellness and healthy aging. She has spent her career helping people understand the science behind healthy eating and how everyday food choices can influence health, longevity and quality of life.

Dr. Blake is the author of Nutrition and You, a widely used nutrition textbook, and host of Spot On!, a nutrition and wellness podcast that separates credible science from popular health trends and misinformation. Through her teaching, writing and public education, she helps people make informed, practical decisions about nutrition.

Dr. Blake teaches Boston University students about the Mediterranean diet and lifestyle through an immersive educational experience in Italy. She emphasizes how fresh, locally grown foods, shared meals, walking and strong family and community connections contribute to healthier living.

Dr. Blake encourages people to think about nutrition as a lifelong investment in their healthspan, not simply their lifespan. Healthy eating can help reduce the risk of chronic conditions such as heart disease, certain cancers, stroke and type 2 diabetes. She stresses that it’s never too late to improve eating habits, even for people in their 60s, 70s and beyond.

One of the simplest changes people can make is eating more vegetables. Dr. Blake recommends filling half the plate with vegetables to increase fiber, vitamins and other nutrients while leaving less room for foods high in saturated fat and sodium. She also encourages eating a variety of fruits and vegetables, particularly those in season when flavor is at its best.

Fresh produce isn’t necessarily more nutritious than frozen or canned alternatives. Frozen vegetables are typically processed shortly after harvesting, preserving nutrients, while canned and frozen options can be more affordable and convenient. Dr. Blake encourages people to take advantage of all three rather than assuming fresh is always best.

As people age, their metabolism slows and calorie needs generally decrease, even as certain nutritional needs increase. Calcium, vitamin D and protein become especially important. Dr. Blake recommends distributing protein throughout the day to help maintain lean muscle mass and support fullness rather than consuming most of it at dinner.

Dr. Blake cautions against relying on supplements as a substitute for a balanced diet. While supplements can help address specific nutritional deficiencies, they may be unnecessary, expensive or potentially interfere with medications. She recommends consulting a registered dietitian nutritionist for personalized guidance rather than navigating the supplement aisle alone.

Nutrition misinformation and food trends can distract people from established science. Dr. Blake challenges the idea of individual superfoods and questions the growing obsession with protein-fortified products. She emphasizes that adding protein doesn’t automatically make a food healthy and that nutritious choices can be found throughout the grocery store, not just around its perimeter.

Healthy aging also depends on enjoying food and sharing meals with others. Dr. Blake points to the Mediterranean lifestyle as an example of how nutrition, physical activity and social connection work together. For older adults living alone, she suggests cooking clubs, preparing extra portions for later and participating in community meal programs to make eating easier and more enjoyable.

Dr. Blake warns that overly restrictive diets can be particularly harmful for older adults, potentially contributing to nutrient deficiencies, unintended weight loss and malnutrition. She also emphasizes that malnutrition isn’t limited to people who are underweight. Someone can have a higher body weight while still lacking essential nutrients.

When asked what she wishes she could tell her younger self, Dr. Blake emphasizes the importance of laughing every day. She sees humor, happiness and sharing knowledge with younger generations as valuable parts of living well as we age.

The following is a recap from Varsity’s Roundtable, 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 senior living industry has spent decades preparing for the aging Baby Boomer generation. Now that demographic wave is arriving, and the numbers raise some serious questions about the industry’s ability to keep up. With independent living occupancy approaching capacity and demand projected to far outpace new construction, millions of older adults could find themselves without access to the housing, care and community they need.

Brad Paulis, Partner at Continuing Care Actuaries, joined Varsity’s weekly Roundtable to explore what he calls the demographic tsunami and its implications for the future of senior living. Drawing on demographic projections and industry trends, Brad discussed the growing shortage of senior housing, changing preferences around skilled nursing and why traditional development alone won’t meet future demand. He also challenged senior living leaders to think beyond their physical communities and explore new ways to serve older adults. Below are a few Fresh Perspectives from his discussion.

A PERIOD OF UNPRECEDENTED GROWTH

The U.S. population age 75 and older is projected to grow from fewer than 20 million in 2025 to 32–33 million by 2045. With independent living occupancy already around 94%, demographic demand is pushing communities toward capacity despite economic uncertainty.

THE INDUSTRY IS FACING A MASSIVE CAPACITY SHORTFALL

By 2035, senior housing could face a shortage of 1 million units, growing to 2 million by 2045. Over the next 20 years, cumulative unmet demand could leave nearly 6 million older adults without access to the housing, healthcare support and community they want. These projections already account for anticipated new construction.

CHANGING CARE PREFERENCES ARE RESHAPING SENIOR LIVING

Private-pay skilled nursing utilization is declining as older adults increasingly choose to receive additional support in their homes or independent living residences. This shift creates opportunities to repurpose underused skilled nursing space while challenging communities to accommodate residents with greater care needs.

TRADITIONAL CONSTRUCTION ALONE WON’T SOLVE THE SHORTAGE

Land availability, zoning restrictions, construction costs and development timelines make it impossible to build enough communities to meet projected demand. Senior living providers need to explore alternative service models, including Continuing Care at Home programs and other ways to bring healthcare, wellness and social connections to older adults beyond their campuses.

THE INDUSTRY MUST RETHINK HOW IT FULFILLS ITS MISSION

Most senior living organizations define their missions around serving older adults, not operating buildings. Boards and leadership teams need to start conversations now about expanding that mission, developing new partnerships and finding innovative ways to deliver the security, care and sense of belonging older adults need.

QUOTES

“It’s not healthy to go through life dreading your future and feeling disconnected from the person you hope to become.” (Ashton)

“The fact is that people as we age, we grow more different from one another. Heterogeneity. Diversity increases with age.” (Ashton)

“The whole notion of retirement is obsolete.” (Ashton)

“As long as we see older people as other than us, we are feeding the denial in which ageism takes root.” (Ashton)

“We know that our years make us us, that we are the sum of all these experiences.” (Ashton)

“We live well by adapting to these changes, not by pretending they’re never going to come for us.” (Ashton)

“I used to think, gee, I hope I never get like that. And now I think maybe she’s off for a hot date. We have no idea what her life is like, but I guarantee you it’s richer than most of us think it is.” (Ashton)

“The one thing we can control is our attitudes. We change our attitudes by educating ourselves about aging.” (Ashton)

“We contain all the ages we have ever been, but we can build on what we know.” (Ashton)

 

NOTES

Ashton Applewhite is an author, activist and internationally recognized expert on ageism who has spent more than two decades challenging stereotypes about growing older. She is the author of This Chair Rocks: A Manifesto Against Ageism, and her TED Talk, Let’s End Ageism, has reached millions of viewers worldwide.

Ashton is co-founder of Old School, a free online resource hub dedicated to raising awareness of ageism and advancing age equity. The platform brings together educational materials, research, campaigns and practical tools to help individuals and organizations recognize age-based prejudice and challenge stereotypes about aging.

Ashton also writes the Substack Things I Used to Say and maintains an archive of her long-running blog, Yo, Is This Ageist?, where she explores everyday examples of ageism and helps readers question assumptions about age.

Ageism often begins with unconscious assumptions about people based on how old we think they are. Even seemingly harmless phrases like “senior moment,” “young at heart” and “years young” can reinforce the idea that youth is inherently better than old age.

One of the most persistent myths about aging is that older people are all alike. In reality, people become increasingly different from one another as they age, making broad generational labels and age-based assumptions particularly misleading.

Thinking of ageism as prejudice against our future selves can help change our attitudes. Ashton encourages people to become “old people in training,” acknowledging that growing older is part of life and building connections with the older people they may one day become.

Our attitudes toward aging can influence our physical and cognitive health. Ashton highlighted research showing that people with more positive, accurate views of aging experience better health outcomes and may be less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease, even when genetically predisposed.

The concept of “successful aging” can reinforce harmful stereotypes by suggesting that aging well means remaining youthful, physically active and independent. Ashton argues that adapting to life’s changes, including disability and declining physical abilities, is an important part of living well.

Senior living marketing can unintentionally reinforce ageism by exclusively portraying attractive, physically fit older adults enjoying active lifestyles. More authentic representation should include people with mobility aids, disabilities and different levels of physical and cognitive ability.

AI and emerging technologies have potential to address social isolation and improve older adults’ lives, but they also carry risks. Ashton cautioned that technology can perpetuate human biases and should never become a substitute for human connection, companionship and touch.

Strong social relationships are among the most important contributors to a fulfilling later life. Ashton encourages people to build friendships across generations, challenge their own biases and recognize that growing older can bring greater freedom, self-awareness and opportunities for personal growth.

The following is a recap from Varsity’s Roundtable, 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. 

Ageism often shows up in ways we don’t even recognize, from everyday language to the images and messages used to portray older adults. Challenging those stereotypes starts with rethinking our own assumptions about aging and embracing a more realistic, inclusive picture of growing older.

Ashton Applewhite, activist, internationally recognized ageism expert, and author of the book This Chair Rocks: A Manifesto Against Ageism joined Varsity’s weekly Roundtable to explore how ageism shapes our attitudes, influences health and well-being and affects the way senior living communities communicate with older adults. Below are a few Fresh Perspectives from her discussion.

AGEISM OFTEN HIDES IN EVERYDAY LANGUAGE

Phrases like “senior moment” or “I don’t feel old” can reinforce negative assumptions about aging. Recognizing ageism starts with questioning the stereotypes and judgments behind our words.

SENIOR LIVING MARKETING NEEDS A MORE AUTHENTIC PICTURE OF AGING

Images of healthy, active older adults can challenge stereotypes, but showing only physically fit residents creates unrealistic expectations. Communities should represent the full diversity of aging, including people who use mobility aids.

HIDING THE REALITIES OF AGING CAN MAKE FEARS WORSE

Avoiding conversations about disability, dementia and loss can reinforce the fears senior living organizations hope to overcome. Acknowledging these realities while celebrating the opportunities of later life creates a more balanced picture of aging.

OUR BELIEFS ABOUT AGING CAN AFFECT OUR HEALTH

Research suggests that people with more accurate, less fear-based attitudes toward aging experience better health outcomes, greater resilience and increased longevity. Negative stereotypes can discourage people from seeking treatment or adopting healthy behaviors.

CHALLENGING AGEISM STARTS WITH OUR OWN ATTITUDES

Recognizing our own biases, building meaningful relationships across generations and approaching ageist comments with curiosity rather than confrontation can help break down stereotypes and change how we think about growing older.

VARSITY’S FRESH PERSPECTIVE

Senior living marketing has spent years challenging negative perceptions of aging by showcasing active, independent older adults. But in trying to make aging look more appealing, have we created a new set of stereotypes?

The opportunity for sales and marketing teams is to tell a more complete and authentic story. That means celebrating the freedom, connection and possibilities of later life without hiding the realities that come with it. Prospects don’t need a picture of perfect aging. They need to see a community where they can continue living a meaningful, fulfilling life, whatever aging looks like for them.

Ageism is one of the few prejudices we direct at our own future selves, yet its influence on how we think about growing older often goes unnoticed. In this episode of Varsity’s Roundtable Talk, Derek sits down with Ashton Applewhite, an internationally recognized ageism expert, activist and author of This Chair Rocks: A Manifesto Against Ageism, to challenge the myths and stereotypes surrounding aging.

In their conversation, Derek and Ashton explore how everyday language reinforces ageist assumptions, why our attitudes toward aging can influence our health and well-being, and how the idea of “successful aging” can do more harm than good.  

Check out the full episode here. 

WHAT IS AGEISM AND HOW DO YOU DEFINE IT?

The dictionary definition is discrimination and prejudice on the basis of age. We are being ageist, and we are all ageist all the time. Me too. 

Anytime we make an assumption about someone or a group of people on the basis of how old we think they are. A friend of yours is dating someone new. I’m wondering, how old is that person? Why do we want to know? And what assumptions about that person or the relationship will click into place once we have a number? Ageism starts between our ears. You have to find it there before you can see it anywhere else.

WHAT ARE SOME EVERYDAY WORDS OR PHRASES THAT REINFORCE NEGATIVE IDEAS ABOUT AGING?

Anytime we use youth-oriented language like “young at heart,” what does that mean? Energetic, enthusiastic or spirited? You can be all those things at any age. Think about how you use the words old and young. Anytime you ascribe a value, positive or negative, you’re reinforcing an assumption. 

When someone says, “I don’t feel old,” does that mean incompetent, sad or useless? We live in a very youth-oriented culture. We tend to equate young with better things and old with negatives. Try to notice that and break the habit. Describe the actual way you feel rather than saying young or old.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE MOST PERSISTENT MYTHS ABOUT GROWING OLDER?

The mother of them all is the assumption that all members of a group are alike, which is clearly ridiculous. It’s especially ridiculous when it comes to age. How could millions of people born roughly around the same time be all alike? The biggest myth is that old people are alike, that at a certain point you cross over this imaginary velvet rope and you’re old and invisible and useless and sad. The fact is that as we age, we grow more different from one another. Diversity increases with age because we age at different rates cognitively, socially and developmentally.

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT USING AI AND TECHNOLOGY TO ADDRESS SOCIAL ISOLATION AMONG OLDER ADULTS?

I think AI has enormous potential, but AI is based on computer code, and computer code is written or vetted by humans. If the people who write the code are biased, that bias gets perpetuated. We need to make sure bias isn’t embedded in it. I’m suspicious of blanket techno-optimism, the idea that technology created a problem and we’ll throw more technology at it. As for robots and things that are keeping older people company, I’m all for it. But I don’t think it’s a substitute for human touch and human companionship. We don’t want a world where human contact becomes a luxury available only to the very rich.

ARE YOU OPTIMISTIC THAT ATTITUDES TOWARD AGEISM ARE ACTUALLY CHANGING?

Yes, I am indeed. When I started out, I had to explain what ageism was all the time. Now most people know what the word means. That may seem like a small thing, but all change begins with awareness. Bias is unconscious for the most part, and you can’t challenge bias unless you’re aware of it. There’s now an International Ageism Awareness Day on October 9, and the Old School hub that I co-founded in 2018 has grown tremendously. Take a look at the resources there and you’ll see how raising awareness of ageism has become a global imperative.

The following is a recap from Varsity’s Roundtable, 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. 

Technology is playing an increasingly important role in senior living, but the latest innovations aren’t always the most valuable. As resident expectations evolve, communities need technology that’s reliable, easy to use and designed to make everyday life better for residents and staff.

Jonathan Jedeikin, Chief Information and Privacy Officer at The Kendal Corporation, joined Varsity’s weekly Roundtable to explore the technology trends shaping the future of senior living. Below are a few Fresh Perspectives from his discussion.

THE BEST TECHNOLOGY FADES INTO THE BACKGROUND

Technology should quietly support residents and staff without demanding constant attention. Whether it’s Wi-Fi, smart-home devices, sensors or robotics, the goal is for technology to work reliably and seamlessly so people can focus on living, working and providing care.

START WITH THE NEED, NOT THE SHINY NEW TOOL

Senior living can waste significant money on technology purchased without enough strategy or input from the people who will use it. Before investing, communities should understand the problem they’re solving and involve residents, staff and stakeholders in the decision.

LISTENING SHOULD DRIVE TECHNOLOGY STRATEGY

Residents may not know which platform or product they want, but they know what they want technology to help them accomplish. Listening to residents and staff can uncover pain points and opportunities that lead to smarter investments and better experiences.

THE NEXT GENERATION WILL HAVE LITTLE PATIENCE FOR BAD TECHNOLOGY

Future residents will expect multiple devices and systems to work together reliably, securely and almost invisibly. Technology that is difficult to use, frequently fails or requires constant troubleshooting will increasingly fall short of expectations.

AI SHOULD AMPLIFY PEOPLE, NOT REPLACE THEM

There’s significant potential for AI when it strengthens the skills people already bring to senior living. The opportunity is to use AI thoughtfully to help staff do their jobs better while preserving the human relationships at the heart of the resident experience.

VARSITY’S FRESH PERSPECTIVE

Technology is quickly becoming part of the senior living value proposition, but the newest technology won’t necessarily be the most compelling. Residents and prospects will increasingly expect technology to simply work, making reliability, ease of use and integration more important than novelty. 

Sales and marketing teams can help shape those investments by listening for the everyday frustrations residents and prospects want solved and bringing those insights into technology decisions before the next shiny tool gets added to the sales tour.