Age of Aging

 Nearly a year and a half ago, we released the Season 2 episode “In Sickness and in Health,” which explored new anti-amyloid therapies for Alzheimer’s disease, lecanemab and donanemab, known commercially as Leqembi and Kisunla. 

After more than three years of lecanemab and nearly two years of donanemab in clinical use, how do patients, caregivers, and clinicians view these treatments tod...

We often think of dementia as an interior condition, one that happens within a person’s mind, independent of the outside world. However, as dementia and design experts note, we are in constant contact with our environments, and people with dementia are profoundly impacted by the spaces they occupy. How do we design a world for people with cognitive change? And what do the environments tr...

Being intentional about our diet is one of the best things we can do for the health and longevity of our brain. But what exactly is a healthy brain diet—and how do we make it realistic?  

 In the season 5 premiere of the Age of Aging, we break down the science and strategy behind the MIND diet and what it looks like to shop and eat for cognitive longevity. 

 

Inside this episode: 

• T...

In season 4 of the Age of Aging, we decided to end every interview with the same question: what do you wish people understood more about aging?  

 

In this special bonus episode of the podcast, we share some of their answers. They remind us of the prevalence of ageism, the many benefits of old age, and that we always have the ability to grow and change at any age.   

 

Special thanks th...

The year 2025 was full of breakthroughs, debates, and big questions in Alzheimer’s research. One event that shaped many of these conversations? The Clinical Trials on Alzheimer’s Disease (CTAD) Conference. It may not have been on everyone’s radar, but its impact was undeniable. 

 

In this special episode, Penn Memory Center Co-Directors Dr. Jason Karlawish and Dr. David Wolk share what s...

Art that tries to teach you things “stinks,” says playwright and actor Jake Broder. 

“And yet there is a profound need for education, for awareness, for reducing stigma, for supporting the community and for medical education,” he said. A few years ago, while writing his latest play about the two individuals with frontotemporal dementia, he wrestled with how he could do both. 

In the seas...

If you asked most caregivers, they would probably say there’s nothing funny about caring for someone with dementia. The stress, grief, and frustration can feel overwhelming. But what if the principles of improv comedy — being present, saying “yes,” and working together — could make caregiving easier and more joyful? 

In this episode of the Age of Aging, we explore the surprising connecti...

Artificial intelligence is everywhere in 2025, and elder care is no exception. As the older adult population continues to grow, AI has the potential to provide desperately needed support. Both at home and in the hospital, AI systems are being developed that can summarize data, predict patient outcomes, and offer preventative interventions. These systems could help clinicians be more effi...

Innovation in dementia care is revolutionizing the way we diagnose and treat older adults with neurodegenerative diseases. New tests have allowed doctors to diagnose patients with diseases like Alzheimer’s more accurately than ever before. The anti-amyloid therapies Lecanemab and Donanemab provide a real treatment for those living with Alzheimer’s. While these innovations are incre...

Although the Age of Aging often focuses on science, art has been a recurring theme. In Season 2, Episode 2, “Diet, Exercise, and... Doodling?”, we explored how creativity can support longevity. However, beyond art’s apparent health benefits, making and consuming art can also help us better understand the experience of aging. In ma...

Over the past year, the Age of Aging has spoken with expert clinicians who study the brain, as well as individuals living with neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s. We believe that these two perspectives are essential for fully understanding dementia in 2025. 

In today’s episode, we hear from someone who can speak to both perspectives. ...

At the Penn Memory Center, we often recommend exercise, social engagement, and a solid support system to help people age well. Owning a dog is not on that list, but maybe it should be. For many older adults, dogs are more than companions. They’re motivators to stay active, reasons to connect with neighbors, and steady sources of comfort through life’s challenges.

When we think about justice, older adults aren’t always top of mind. Yet in the United States, seniors often face stigma, exploitation, and insufficient social support, all while navigating cognitive and physical decline. As lifespans continue to grow globally, aging is a future we all hope to reach. So how do we ensure that future is just? And what does justice for older adults tr...

Welcome to a mid-year bonus episode of The Age of Aging! While the podcast takes a short break between seasons, we wanted to bring you a special update on the state of Alzheimer’s today. Penn Memory Center Co-Directors Dr. Jason Karlawish and Dr. David Wolk sat down with Terrence Casey to share their reflections from this year’s Alzheimer’s Association Int...

When we talk about dementia on this podcast, we are often talking about its most common cause: Alzheimer's disease. However, dementia has many causes, and among the most prevalent after Alzheimer’s is Lewy Body Disease. Though it can share similarities with Alzheimer’s, Lewy Body Dementia (LBD) has distinct symptoms and challenges that can complicate diagnosis, treatme...

Sex and intimacy can be difficult topics to navigate, especially for caregivers and their partners facing the challenges of a dementia diagnosis. These conversations are often avoided, yet the emotional toll of intimacy-related struggles can be profound, bringing feelings of grief, confusion, and isolation. The stigma surrounding sex and dementia only deepens this silence, making o...

The U.S. healthcare system is changing—especially when it comes to caring for older adults. The COVID-19 pandemic revealed how vulnerable our aging population is, and how unprepared many parts of the system remain. Overstressed nursing homes, overworked ...

We often think of dementia as something that affects the oldest among us, and that’s often true; at the Penn Memory Center, the average age of diagnosis is between 70 and 75. In most of those cases, caregiving falls to a spouse, partner, or adult child. But what happens when dementia is diagnosed before the age of 65? 

In this episode of the A...

The world is getting older—and that reality is what inspired this podcast. Thanks to advances in medicine, healthier lifestyles, and improved living conditions, people are living longer than ever. That’s a good thing. However, longer lives will also require a lot of change from both individuals and society. We will have to prepare now for something earlier...