AgingIN On the Road…Advancing Innovation Wherever We Go
Innovation doesn’t happen in isolation. It happens when leaders come together to share ideas, challenge assumptions, and explore what’s next.
We are heading to the 2026 AHFSA Annual Training Conference!
2026 AHFSA Annual Training Conference
The Westin Riverwalk | San Antonio, Texas
August 30-September 2, 2026
AgingIN CEO Susan Ryan and Project Coach Zoie Garza will join health facility survey leaders from across the country for conversations about the future of aging services.
If you’ll be in San Antonio, we invite you to stop by, introduce yourself, and connect with our team. We’d love to learn about the work you’re leading and explore how we can advance innovation together.
Connect with us at AHFSA.
Brain Bytes.
July 22 was World Brain Day, which raises awareness of neurological disorders, including dementia, and the importance of early screening so people can seek interventions sooner.
One organization that offers free screening tools that promote brain health and independent living is the World Health Organization (WHO). One such tool is the WHO ICOPE Handbook app, which is designed to promote Integrated Care for Older People (ICOPE), and it stands out for five reasons: it is free to use on a cell phone, available in multiple languages, easy to use for self-testing or testing by others, backed by peer-reviewed science, and ad-free with no sales pitches.
The WHO app screens not only for cognition, but also for hearing, vision, nutrition, depression, and mobility. By age 80, most people manage multiple chronic conditions simultaneously, and problems like untreated hearing or vision loss can raise dementia risk and contribute to falls.
Falls can have serious consequences for older adults. Each year, about one million older adults are hospitalized because of a fall. In the United States, the CDC reports that a fall-related death occurs about every 19 minutes. Falls can also cause traumatic brain injuries. Among older adults hospitalized with a traumatic brain injury, nearly one-third die within a year. The risk is higher because blood vessels in the brain become more fragile with age, blood thinners can increase bleeding risk, and the body often takes longer to heal.
This integrated approach aligns with the WHO’s ICOPE guidelines, established in 2019 to help prevent physical and mental decline before it takes hold, rather than intervening only afterward.
To learn more, join the AgingIN Longevity Summit in Denver on August 10 or explore the references below:
Culinary Corner
Small Choices. Big Impact.
When we think about person-directed living, we often focus on life’s biggest decisions. But some of the most meaningful opportunities to honor individuality happen through smaller choices, especially at mealtime.
Choice is more than selecting chicken or fish from a menu. It is deciding when to eat, how much to eat, where to sit, what to pair with a meal, or whether today calls for pancakes instead of oatmeal. These simple decisions reinforce independence and remind people that their preferences still matter.
Unfortunately, institutional routines can unintentionally limit these opportunities. Fixed meal times, standardized portions, and one-size-fits-all service models may be efficient, but they can also reduce personal choice.
Creating a more person-directed dining experience doesn’t require a complete overhaul of your food service operation. Often, it begins with asking a different question: “How can we offer one more choice today?”
Consider introducing small changes such as:
- Offering two vegetable options instead of one
- Allowing residents to choose breakfast within a flexible time window
- Placing condiments, toppings, and garnishes on the table so people can season meals to their own taste
- Providing smaller portions with the option for seconds
- Creating “chef’s choice” and “resident’s choice” menu features that encourage variety while honoring personal preferences
These moments of autonomy add up. They foster dignity, encourage engagement, and help transform dining from a scheduled service into an experience centered on the individual.
August Challenge
Walk through one meal service this month and identify three places where choice could be expanded. Ask your team, “If I were eating in my own home, what options would I expect?” Then choose one improvement to implement before the end of the month.
Every opportunity to say “yes” to a person’s preferences reinforces the message that this is their home, their table, and their life.
Person-directed dining is not measured by the number of menu choices. It is measured by how empowered people feel every time they gather around the table.
Elevate Eldercare Podcasts: New Episodes Now Live!
Catch up on powerful conversations with host Susan Ryan, AgingIN CEO. Tune in every Wednesday for bold insights, honest dialogue, and fresh perspectives on transforming eldercare through the AgingIN model.
Francis LeGasse Jr. | July 1, 2026
Susan Ryan speaks with Francis LeGasse, co-founder of a growing network of small residential care homes, about an approach to aging that prioritizes dignity, connection, and community. Inspired by his own family’s caregiving journey, Francis has built a model that replaces institutional environments with intimate, home-like settings where residents experience greater autonomy, personalized support, and meaningful relationships. The conversation explores the small-home movement, balancing accessibility with independence, making high-quality care more available, and using technology to support, rather than replace, human connection.
Peter Kaldes | July 8, 2026
What if aging is not a crisis to solve, but one of society’s greatest opportunities? Susan Ryan speaks with Peter Kaldes, CEO of Next50, about the future of aging, philanthropy, and the systems that shape how we grow older. Peter shares insights on combating ageism, investing in innovative housing and community solutions, strengthening resources for older adults, and viewing longevity as a force for social and economic change.
Sarah Cheney | July 15, 2026
What if aging were viewed as a time of continued growth, contribution, and connection? Susan Ryan speaks with Sarah Cheney, executive director of Aging Forward, about helping older adults thrive through lifelong learning, volunteer engagement, and neighbor-to-neighbor programs. Sarah shares the story behind Aging Forward’s evolution, the power of community-based services, and how older adults serve as leaders, teachers, and changemakers.
Robert Espinoza | July 22, 2026
How do we build a long-term care system that works for everyone? Susan Ryan speaks with Robert Espinoza, founder of the Care Works Project and longtime advocate for person-centered and worker-centered care. Robert explores the growing gap between the care people need and receive, along with solutions that could transform long-term care. Their conversation covers workforce modernization, systems change, and the emerging role of AI in home care.
David Skoczulek | July 29, 2026
Susan Ryan speaks with David Skoczulek of iCare Health Network about serving older adults with complex behavioral health needs, substance use disorders, and justice-involved histories. Their conversation explores how compassion, specialized care, and strong leadership can transform lives while challenging assumptions about who belongs in long-term care.
Tune in every Wednesday for bold conversations, honest dialogue, and fresh perspectives on transforming eldercare through the AgingIN model.
Innovation in Practice
How Today’s Partners Are Solving Real-World Challenges.
Partner Spotlight: 3rd3rd Marketing
At AgingIN, we believe meaningful change happens through collaboration. Every conference, campaign, and educational resource is strengthened by partners who share our commitment to advancing person-directed living and innovation across aging services.
This month, we’re highlighting our strategic marketing partner, 3rd3rd Marketing.
As a branding, marketing, and communications agency, 3rd3rd helps aging services organizations tell their stories with creativity and purpose. Known as the “un-senior living agency,” 3rd3rd challenges outdated stereotypes by creating marketing that reflects the energy, individuality, and possibilities of today’s older adults. Rather than relying on traditional senior living or aging services messaging, they help organizations build authentic brands and tell human-centered stories that connect with residents, families, team members, and the broader community.
Working alongside the AgingIN team, 3rd3rd supports everything from AgingINnovation and educational initiatives to publications, digital communications, and brand strategy.
Why did 3rd3rd choose to partner with AgingIN?
“We were drawn to AgingIN because the organization isn’t just talking about change, it’s leading it. We believe the stories we tell shape the future, and we’re proud to help share ideas that are creating more human-centered aging services.”—3rd3rd Marketing
State of Change
Advancing Person-Directed Living Across the States.
The North Carolina Culture Change Coalition (NCCCC) began in 1996 after a provider and regulator from North Carolina met while attending Eden Alternative Associate training in New York. Realizing they shared the same goal, making life better for long-term care residents and staff, they formed the first state coalition dedicated to transforming nursing homes from a medical model into true homes.
Originally known as the North Carolina Eden Alternative Coalition, the group brought together providers, regulators, ombudsmen, designers, educators, and other stakeholders committed to advancing culture change.
Thirty years later, the coalition’s mission remains the same, though its name now reflects the broader philosophies and practices that support person-directed living. Volunteers from across the long-term care spectrum continue to work together, with the longstanding partnership between providers and regulators helping keep the coalition strong and relevant.
Over the years, NCCCC has hosted conferences, leadership training, grant-writing workshops, regulatory updates, and educational programs. During the pandemic, the coalition transitioned to virtual programming and continues to offer monthly meetings online.
The coalition has also played a leading role in administering Civil Money Penalty (CMP) grants. Since awarding its first grants in 1998, NCCCC has helped organizations secure funding for projects that create meaningful, lasting culture change, not simply physical improvements. Today, the coalition continues to mentor applicants, review proposals, and work closely with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services to support successful projects across the state.
In recent years, larger organizations have implemented multi-year, multi-site initiatives serving dozens, and in some cases hundreds, of nursing homes statewide. Currently, seven active projects are supporting more than 200 facilities, with additional applications under review.
The coalition and North Carolina’s State Agency also host regular virtual trainings and an annual CMP Reinvestment Program update, with educational resources available on the coalition’s website.
To learn more about the North Carolina Culture Change Coalition, www.ncculturechange.org.
Interested in joining an existing coalition or starting a coalition in your state? Visit National Coordinating Center for State Coalitions.
Introducing the AgingIN Solutions Portfolio
AgingIN is excited to introduce the AgingIN Solutions Portfolio, a curated suite of proven solutions that helps aging services providers address pressing challenges and achieve meaningful, lasting outcomes.
Whether your organization is focused on strengthening the workforce, building leadership capacity, improving resident and employee experiences, or advancing person-directed living, the portfolio brings together practical, evidence-informed offerings designed to meet you where you are.
Each solution is delivered by trusted experts and backed by AgingIN’s commitment to innovation, collaboration, and measurable impact. Offerings may include education, coaching, implementation support, assessments, and other services tailored to your organization’s goals and priorities.
Each option clearly outlines the intended audience, expected outcomes, level of commitment, and pricing, making it easier to identify the right solution for your team.
Explore the AgingIN Solutions Portfolio and discover practical solutions for today’s challenges and tomorrow’s opportunities.
Learn more: https://aginginnovation.org/solutions/
Innovative ideas. Practical solutions. Stronger leaders.