The Art of Aging

Bonus Episode - Leslie Gold, Producer of “A Life’s Story” Podcast

Leslie Gold, an accomplished radio host and producer, shares some of the stories behind the subjects of her new podcast, A Life's Story.  Her subjects are all over 85, some over 100.  The stories push back on ageist myths and stereotypes, inspiring us to see aging in new ways.

 

A Life's Story Podcast Link

 

 

Episode 15 - Aging Hero David Rough Hikes the Appalachian Trail at 64

What happens when a 64 year old man decides to through hike over 2000 miles of the Appalachian Trail?  In this episode, we meet David Rough who was inspired to take on this challenge as a way to raise money for Dayton Christian Schools.  Take this journey with David and find out what he learned about himself, and what he wants others to know about setting ambitious goals as we age.

 

More information about David's book:  Hike It Forward

Episode 14 - Aging Hero Rev. Bobbie McKay

Bobbie McKay was called to the ministry during the 1960s when it was rare for a woman to be ordained in the Methodist Church.  Not to be deterred, she was ordained and went on to have a career that included pastoral counseling, starting an experimental church and pursuing a major research study on "God Experiences" that she partnered with George Gallup to complete.  In this episode, our co-host Rev. Beth Long-Higgins invited her own pastor, Rev. Beth Gedert to discuss their backgrounds as pastors, in light of three generations of female clergy.

Episode 13 - Dementia Friendly Communities: A Conversation with Author Susan McFadden

In this episode, we will meet Susan McFadden, author of Dementia Friendly Communities: Why We Need Them and How We Can Create Them.  Susan shares her years of research in how communities in England and the U.S. have made life more manageable for persons with dementia, and their caregivers.  She shares many stories about strategies that work, how better to cope with this diagnosis, and how her community in Fox Valley, Wisconsin has adapted to better serve the needs of persons with dementia.  We also talked with her husband John, about how they have pioneered a concept they call, Memory Camp.

 

Dementia Friendly Communities

Episode 12 - Palliative Care

Palliative care is a team approach to supporting patients with serious illness.  In this episode, we meet Dr. Stacie Levine, who is the founder of the palliative care program at the University of Chicago Medical Center.  Dr. Levine explains the importance of palliative care in helping patients and their families cope with the the symptoms and emotional impact of serious or terminal illness.

 

More about Dr. Levine: Stacie Levine, MD

Episode 11 - Long Term Care Planning

How likely is it that you will need long term care in your future?  What are the factors that you need to take into consideration?  In this episode, we talk to Dr. Robert Applebaum, who is the Director of the Long Term Care Research Project, at the Scripps Gerontology Center at Miami University.  Dr. Applebaum talks about how long term care has changed, what the options are, and what are the issues to consider about covering the cost.

For more information: Scripps Gerontology Center

Episode 10 - Threshold Choirs

In this episode, we learn about the Threshold Choir movement.  Threshold Choirs help people during the transition between life and death, or during severe illness. We will meet Kate Munger, the founder of the Threshold Choir movement and hear from two women who are veteran choir members.

For more information and to see a video of a Threshold Choir: Threshold Choir

Episode 9 - Opening Minds Through Art - Using Art to Bring Joy to People with Dementia

In this episode, we meet Elizabeth Lokon, founder of Opening Minds Through Art (OMA).  OMA, which is based at the Scripps Gerontology Center at Miami University of Ohio, provides a research based arts program for people with dementia.  This intergenerational program is being used in over 200 facilities across the U.S. and Canada.

In our second segment, we will visit the memory neighborhood at Trinity Community at Beavercreek, and hear about how OMA has impacted their residents.  Amy Kotterman, Director of Customer Experience for United Church Homes, tells the story.

Finally, we hear the story of Jenny Haack, an artist who did art with a person with dementia who was still at home.

Opening Minds Through Art

Episode 8 - Aging Hero - Dr. John Fleming - Founder of African American History Museums

In honor of Black History Month, we hear the story of Dr. John Fleming, who grew up during the 1960’s civil rights era, protesting at lunch counters and marching from Selma to Montgomery.  Early in life, he developed a dream of becoming a missionary in Africa.  After traveling to Malawi with the Peace Corps, John became disillusioned with the character of the missionary work he saw there.  He then went on to get his Ph.D. at Howard University, working with some of the top researchers in the field of Black history.  After 5 years of post-graduate work, he was recruited to start the National African American Museum and Cultural Center at Wilberforce, Oh.  This project led to him being recruited to start museums in Cincinnati, Mississippi and most recently the National Museum of African American Music in Nashville.

For information about the latest museum developed by Dr. Fleming: National Museum of African American Music

Other museums developed by Dr. Fleming: National Underground Railroad Freedom Center

Mississippi Civil Rights Museum

National Afro-American Museum and Cultural Center

Episode 7 - Coping with Memory Loss

In this episode we meet Rev. Scott and Rev. Karen Griswold.  Scott talks about his diagnosis of Alzheimer's and the steps he and his wife Karen have taken to understand and prepare for his future.

In the second part, journalist Diane Chiddister talks with her friend Susan an author and poet about her poem, "Extra People in the House."  Susan's poem describes a sense of confusion she had one morning brought on by her short term memory loss.