Dear Friends and Partners,
February is about momentum—building leadership capacity, strengthening person-directed cultures, and investing in what’s next for aging services. In this issue, you’ll find upcoming trainings designed to support frontline leaders, a call for proposals for the AgingIN 2026 Conference, insights on preparing supervisors to lead well, and reflections from the field on what’s possible when care is rooted in dignity, purpose, and innovation. We’re glad you’re here.
Upcoming Learning Opportunities.
Leading Empowered Cultures
A 9-week virtual leadership experience for frontline and middle managers
March-May 2026 | Thursdays, 1- 3 p.m. EST
A practical, high-impact leadership program for supervisors and middle managers who want to build strong teams, increase accountability, and reduce burnout. Participants gain tools, confidence, and coaching skills to lead effectively in today’s complex workforce environment.
Register or learn more now about Leading Empowered Cultures.
Train the Trainer: Small House & Household Educator Intensive
A 5-day immersive educator experience for small house and household-model organizations
March 2-6, 2026 | Poydras Home, New Orleans
This intensive training is for leaders who want to align culture, operations, and the workforce with their small house or household model.
Register or learn more about Train the Trainer.
Call for Proposals Now Open.
Peak Purpose AgingIN 2026 Conference
Submission deadline extended to Monday, February 16. The call for speaking proposals for the AgingIN 2026 Conference: Peak Purpose — Redefining How We Live and Age is now open.
We invite innovators, leaders, educators, and change-makers to submit proposals for 60-minute concurrent sessions that explore bold ideas, real-world solutions, and the future of aging services across skilled nursing, assisted living, HCBS, PACE, advocacy, and emerging care models.
Conference Location and Date: Denver, CO, August 10-13, 2026
Proposal Deadline: February 16, 2026
Be part of the movement shaping what’s next in aging. Submit here: AgingInnovation.org/Events/Annual-Conference/Proposal/.
Leadership Insight: When Great Employees Become Unprepared Supervisors.
A new Gallup study reveals a major leadership gap across healthcare and service industries:
“65% of frontline supervisors are promoted based on performance or tenure—not leadership readiness.”
These supervisors are significantly less engaged and more likely to feel burned out.
Why it matters: Gallup research shows managers account for up to 70% of the difference in team engagement.
The good news? Supervisors who receive leadership training are:
- 79% more likely to be engaged
- 19% less likely to feel burned out
- 11% less likely to be job hunting
The takeaway: Promoting great employees isn’t enough. We must prepare them to lead.
Source: Gallup, “When Good Frontline Workers Make Bad Supervisors,” January 7, 2026
States of Change.
Advancing Person-Directed Living Across the States.
Louisiana: Join Louisiana’s long-term care leaders for the 16th Annual LEADER Summit March 16 – 18, 2026 as we focus on person-directed care, putting the person in the director’s chair!
This summit brings together our state’s top administrators, nurses, and key long-term professionals, and offers exhibitors and sponsors an opportunity to connect and build partnerships. LEADER will cover topics including Resilient Leadership in Times of Change, AI for Aging, Ageism, Mastering De-Escalation in Long-Term Care, Antipsychotic Reduction, Medicare Bundles, and more!
Visit www.laleader.org/summit-2026 for more details and to secure your spot.
Tap into State Coalitions to build better cultures.
Every successful culture change story starts with a few key people deciding to think differently. That’s what State Coalitions are all about. Local leaders are creating better care environments, better teams, and better lives for older adults. This work matters. And it starts with you. Visit the National Coordinating Center for Retirement Coalitions to learn more.
The AgingIN Annual Conference, August 10-13, 2026, in Denver, Colorado.
Peak Purpose: Redefining How We Live and Age
Inspired by Colorado’s majestic mountains, the 2026 conference theme is Peak Purpose. It also reflects our collective aspiration to reach new heights in meaning, impact, and transformation across aging services—through leadership, innovation, and courageous practice.
Keynote Speaker: Manley Feinberg
“Climbing, it turns out, is like life.”
Whether you’re scaling a mountain in Kyrgyzstan or leading a care team through daily challenges, the principles that drive performance, commitment, and success are the same. Manley Feinberg’s unforgettable keynote brings those lessons to life—igniting courage, resilience, and connection in every listener.
Join changemakers, caregivers, and innovators building a world where aging = living with dignity, purpose, and joy.
Visit the Annual Conference— AgingIN to learn more about becoming a sponsor, exhibitor, or attendee.
To submit a speaking proposal by Monday, February 9, visit: https://www.cvent.com/c/abstracts/5b88f64b-282b-43e6-9b59-113a9a8f9b3b
Building What’s Possible: ReImagining Care Models.
We left the ReImagining Care Models Symposium in New Orleans energized and inspired. We’re now reflecting on two days of meaningful dialogue, shared learning, and powerful examples of what’s possible in care communities. Our deepest thanks to Poydras Home for hosting us so generously—Erin Kolb’s leadership and openness exemplified person-directed values in action.
We’re also incredibly grateful to our speakers and sponsors, whose expertise, passion, and partnership made the gathering so impactful: Eric Krull of THW Design, Cynthia Thurlow of 3rd3rd, Katelyn McCauley of Ziegler, Karen Contrenchis of LeadingAge Southeast, Michelle Shank and Jolie Harris of LEADER, AMBA, PMD Advisory Group, and Checked In Care.
Throughout the symposium, one core truth emerged: care environments perform better when they embrace person-directed living. When care professionals are trusted with meaningful decision-making authority and older adults are treated with dignity and respect, teams thrive—and care improves.
As AgingIN CEO Susan Ryan so simply and powerfully reminded us, progress begins with action: “Just start somewhere.” With practical support for culture change, education, and organizational alignment, AgingIN is excited to walk alongside communities ready to take those first steps. If you missed the conversation in New Orleans and your organization is ready to take the next step, reach out and connect with AgingIN at inquiries@aginginnovation.org to explore partnership opportunities.
Celebrating Achievements, Sharing Insights, and Inspiring Action.
Driving Heart & Brain Health Innovation for Older Adults.
February’s focus on Heart and Brain Health underscores a growing opportunity for aging services providers to invest in solutions that improve outcomes, reduce costs, and strengthen competitive positioning.
Older adults face heightened risks of cardiovascular disease, stroke, and cognitive decline. At the same time, emerging innovations are making prevention and early intervention more achievable than ever. From remote cardiac monitoring and predictive analytics to integrated wellness and chronic disease management programs, both technology and care delivery models are evolving rapidly.
Yet identifying the right partners—those that are scalable, evidence-based, and financially viable—remains a challenge. That’s where AgingIN adds value.
AgingIN connects aging-focused organizations with vetted innovators delivering proven cardiovascular and brain health solutions. Whether your organization is seeking new revenue streams, grant-ready initiatives, pilot programs, or market-tested health technologies, AgingIN helps accelerate adoption while reducing risk.
Now is the time to invest in heart and brain health solutions that deliver measurable ROI and improve quality of life for older adults.
If your organization is exploring innovative cardiovascular or brain health programs—or looking to strengthen its service offerings—connect with AgingIN at inquiries@aginginnovation.org to explore partnership opportunities.
Black-History Month: Advancing Person-Directed Living Through Empowered Cultures in Aging.
Black History Month is a time to recognize leadership, resilience, and innovation—and to reflect on how aging services can better honor dignity, voice, and choice for older adults.
The person-directed living approach complements diversity and difference by prioritizing individual autonomy, cultural identity, lived experience, and meaningful decision-making. For older adults, especially those from historically marginalized communities, empowered cultures in care settings are essential to fostering trust, belonging, and quality of life.
Person-directed models shift aging services away from one-size-fits-all care toward environments where residents shape daily routines, influence organizational decisions, and remain connected to their communities, histories, and values. When organizations commit to empowering both older adults and frontline staff, they create cultures that support well-being, improve satisfaction, and strengthen long-term sustainability.
This February offers an opportunity for aging services organizations to evaluate how their programs, policies, and partnerships support choice, inclusion, and culturally responsive engagement—and to invest in innovations that promote empowered, person-centered environments.
AgingIN supports organizations ready to modernize their approach to aging care by identifying innovative solutions, piloting new models, and strengthening their organizational strategy around resident engagement, workforce empowerment, and culture change.
Ready to take the next step?
If your organization is exploring ways to strengthen person-directed living, build empowered cultures, or adopt innovative aging solutions, contact AgingIN at inquiries@aginginnovation.org to discuss partnership opportunities.
Four Fantastic New Episodes Are Now Live: Elevate Eldercare Podcast.
Catch up on the last few weeks of powerful, thought-provoking 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.
Listen now: https://aginginnovation.org/news/elevate-eldercare-podcast/
“Why Longevity Demands a Culture Shift” (January 6, 2026)
In this episode, AgingIN CEO Susan Ryan sits down with Bob Kramer to explore a career shaped by purpose, perspective, and a deep commitment to improving the lives of older adults. Kramer reflects on his personal and professional journey—from his early work as a pastor, to leadership roles in government, to founding the National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & Care (NIC)—and the values that have guided his work across decades in aging services.
“Brain Health, Longevity, and the Future of Senior Living” (January 13, 2026)
AgingIN CEO Susan Ryan sits down with longtime senior living leader and consultant Michele Holleran for a wide-ranging conversation on leadership, resident voices, and why brain health must become a strategic priority in senior living.
“ReImagining Senior Living for the Middle Market” (January 20, 2026)
Joe Jasmon, CEO of American Healthcare Management and co-founder of Elevate Senior Living, joins AgingIN CEO Susan Ryan on the podcast to share the origin story and philosophy behind Elevate, a mid-market senior housing model designed from the ground up around residents—not corporate overhead.
“Bioharmony and the Future of Wellness-Centered Living” (January 28, 2026)
In this episode, AgingIN CEO Susan Ryan sits down with Gautam Gulati, MD, physician, entrepreneur, producer, and “health artist.” Also known as “Dr. G,” Gulanti has a broad background spanning medicine, storytelling, real estate, and wellness design. He shares his unconventional journey from medical doctor to real estate professional and certified interior designer—and how that path led him to reimagine the home as a powerful driver of health.
Don’t miss an episode! Subscribe today or download just the episodes that intrigue you.
Listen now: https://aginginnovation.org/news/elevate-eldercare-podcast/
Science News: Does Food Affect Our Brain Health?
If you’re noticing a lot of talk about “food as medicine” and the “brain-gut” connection, it’s because scientists are increasingly learning how what we eat shapes brain health.
The 2024 Lancet Report highlights diabetes, obesity, and high LDL (“bad”) cholesterol as potentially modifiable risk factors for developing dementia, reinforcing that metabolic health—and the foods that influence it—can have lasting effects on the brain. So, what should we eat?
The most studied dietary options are the Mediterranean, DASH, MIND, ketogenic, and modified Mediterranean-ketogenic diets. However, when researchers reviewed existing clinical evidence, they found that plant-based eating patterns were consistently and positively associated with a lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (Ellouze et al., 2023).
As the number of people at risk continues to grow, these findings underscore the importance of promoting affordable, plant-forward eating patterns as part of a holistic approach to brain health that includes physical, social, and mental well-being. To learn more about the brain-gut connection, check out the links below:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10384681/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39096926/