Lead the Change

Spring is a busy season for AgingIN. We’re heading to conferences, hosting webinars, releasing new Brain Bytes micro-casts, and sharing fresh podcast conversations. Each event is a chance to connect with colleagues, exchange practical ideas, and strengthen person-directed living in real ways. Take a look at what’s coming up and join us where it fits your lifestyle.

AgingIN on the Road…Advancing Innovation Wherever We Go.

“Empowering Leaders, Empowering Care: Building Culture at The New Jewish Home-Manhattan”

AJAS | San Francisco | March 15-18
How do you create a workplace culture where both leaders and frontline staff thrive—while elevating the quality of care for residents? At The New Jewish Home-Manhattan, the answer lies in pairing leadership development with staff empowerment.

This session explores two innovative programs:

• Leading Empowered Cultures for leadership teams
• The Person-Directed Living Certificate for frontline staff

Together, these initiatives strengthen organizational culture, inspire engaged leaders, and equip staff to deliver truly person-directed care. Attendees will discover actionable insights for designing people-first strategies that transform culture, engagement, and outcomes.

Conference: NIC Spring

Nashville, TN | March 30-April 1
The NIC Spring Conference uniquely highlights emerging trends in addressing the health, personal care, and supportive service needs of older adults. This includes increasing integration of housing and healthcare services and enhancing overall well-being for seniors in both senior housing and long-term care environments. From striking a chord between capital, care, and community, to spotlighting innovation and investment, the industry’s next act is being written in Nashville.

“Connected Communities: Blueprints for Inclusive Aging & Disability Supports”

American Society on Aging (ASA) | Atlanta, GA | April 19-23
On Aging is the nation’s largest multidisciplinary conference on aging and the annual conference for members of the American Society of Aging (ASA). On Aging is an opportunity to connect, learn, and share your expertise with thousands of professionals working in aging and related fields.

Innovation happens in conversation. Connect with AgingIN at any of these events by clicking HERE.

AgingIN Events…Upcoming Opportunities to Learn and Connect

AgingIN Webinar: Moving Forward Michigan

March 31, 2026 | 1:00 p.m. EST

A Proven, Team-Based Approach to Leadership & QAPI in Nursing Homes.

What If QAPI Actually Worked? Lessons from Moving Forward Michigan.
In this webinar, you’ll hear directly from the leaders behind Moving Forward Michigan as they share what’s working, what they’ve learned, and why this model is gaining attention as a scalable solution for today’s nursing homes.

If you’re looking for a smarter way to develop leaders, strengthen QAPI, and move from compliance to continuous improvement, this conversation is for you.

More info here.

Scaling Digital Inclusion for Older Adults: Insights from OATS from AARP Webinar

A Webinar of Insights
May 12, 2026 | 2:00 p.m. EST
Join AgingIN for a featured webinar with leaders from Older Adults Technology Services (OATS) from AARP, a national nonprofit advancing digital inclusion through its flagship Senior Planet program.

What began as a community-based effort in Brooklyn has grown into a national network transforming how older adults connect, learn, and thrive in a digital world.

More info here.

Be a part of the conversation. Register now!

Mark Your Calendar: 2026 AgingIN Annual Conference.

The AgingIN community is heading to Denver August 10-13, 2026, for the AgingIN Annual Conference: Peak Purpose—Redefining How We Live and Age.
Building on the momentum of the 2025 conference, this year’s gathering will bring together leaders, care teams, researchers, and advocates for an energizing, hands-on experience focused on advancing person-directed living across all care environments. Attendees can expect bold conversations, practical workshops, and real-world strategies designed to support meaningful, measurable change.

Together, we’ll explore how research, practice, and lived experience intersect to shape communities where people can truly thrive—and take person-directed living to new heights in the Mile High City.

Save the date and plan to join us. Learn more here.

Culinary Corner: Spring Flavors, Shared Choice.

March invites renewal—longer days, fresh air, and a natural shift in how we gather and nourish one another. In person-directed communities, the kitchen is one of the most powerful places to put choice, voice, and relationship into action.

As spring approaches, menus offer an easy opportunity to reflect on what matters most to the people who live in your communities. Inviting elders to help select seasonal dishes, share family recipes, or influence how and when meals are served reinforces autonomy and respect. A favorite herb, a preferred spice level, or a cherished spring tradition can turn an ordinary meal into a meaningful experience.

Person-directed dining also means flexibility. Offering options, honoring individual routines, and creating opportunities for participation—whether chopping vegetables, tasting new flavors, or simply setting the table—supports purpose and belonging. These moments don’t require elaborate changes, just intentional listening.

Food is never just about nutrition. It carries memory, culture, and identity. This March, as we welcome the promise of spring, let our culinary practices reflect the people we serve—by centering their choices, stories, and preferences at the heart of every meal.

Communicating for Success: Train the Trainer.

A customizable Train the Trainer experience for building strong communication and coaching cultures.

A hands-on educator program that equips internal trainers to deliver a five-module communication curriculum—from active listening and clear requests to respectful feedback and assertive communication. Designed to build organization-wide communication skills, strengthen teamwork, and sustain culture change through internal capacity.

Delivered in partnership with your organization and tailored to your goals, teams, and timeline.

Why Communication Training Matters in Long-Term Care
Did you know?
Research shows that structured communication training in healthcare—including long-term care and dementia care settings—leads to measurable improvements in staff practice, teamwork, and resident experience.

What the research shows:

• Communication training improves both the quantity and quality of staff-resident interactions, even with brief programs.
• Effective communication is strongly linked to teamwork—one large study found a very strong positive correlation between communication and team effectiveness.
• Communication training in dementia care increases positive interactions and quality of life for residents.
• Training improves clinicians’ confidence, performance, and self-efficacy in communicating with residents, families, and colleagues.

What this means for your community:
Communication skills aren’t just “nice to have.” They are foundational to teamwork, safety culture, and person-directed care. That’s why building internal communication trainers through Communicating for Success—Train the Trainer is one of the most effective ways to strengthen culture and sustain practice change. (mdv)

For more information, email inquiries@aginginnovation.org or click HERE.

Healthy Brain Tips.

Over the past decade, aging research has advanced rapidly, with two developments standing out for senior living leaders because they clearly distinguish healthspan—the years lived in good physical, cognitive, and social health—from lifespan, or years lived overall. World Health Organization, ICOPE and The Lancet Commission on Dementia 2024 report show that healthy aging and dementia prevention are not determined by biology alone, but are shaped by modifiable factors across the life course.

Both emphasize early identification and management of risks such as hearing and vision loss, mobility decline, depression, and cardiovascular health. Rather than focusing only on treating disease, they promote a function-first approach—supporting the abilities that allow older adults to live independently and meaningfully. They also call for integrated, person-centered care delivered where people live, supported by health systems, communities, and policy.

What’s new is the clear shift from extending lifespan alone to actively protecting and extending healthspan. For senior living organizations, these insights offer a roadmap to reimagining care models that help residents not just live longer, but live better.

We invite you to learn more and explore what this means for the future of aging services by listening to our new Brain Bytes micro-cast (INSERT LINK HERE) and by joining us at AgingIN’s 2026 conference in Denver. 

A Weekend Hand-Off That Made a Difference.

At the Saint Elizabeth Green House homes, weekends had become the most difficult part of the Guide’s role. Even with self-scheduling and strong teamwork, call-offs often rolled up to Sarah, the Guide for four homes, turning many weekends into hours spent searching for coverage.

Instead of accepting this as the norm, Sarah noticed that two Shahbazim—Chrissy and Leah—were naturally strong schedulers whom teammates already trusted. She proposed a simple shift: from 3:00 p.m. Friday through Monday morning, they would rotate responsibility for handling call-offs across the homes. Staff would still contact colleagues first, but if they became stuck, the weekend coordinators—not the Guide—were the next step. With support from administrator Beth and HR, clear expectations and fair compensation were put in place.

After a short adjustment period, the change was a game-changer. Sarah regained true weekends, Chrissy and Leah were recognized for their strengths, and the homes maintained consistent coverage without adding new layers of management.

“For me, it’s been a game changer,” said Sarah. “When I’m home, I’m home, and I don’t worry when Chrissy or Leah are there. I know they have it under control.”

The solution was simple—identify trusted team members, share responsibility, and set a clear process—and it offered relief not just for one Guide, but a model other Green House communities may find equally helpful.

Learn more about Green House Homes.

Women Driving Leadership and Change in Aging.

March celebrates Women’s History Month and highlights the transformative role women play across aging services—from leadership to caregiving innovation. Women continue to shape the field, advancing person-directed care, workforce development, and inclusive cultures that put older adults’ well-being at the center.

Women leaders in aging are pioneering solutions that improve resident engagement, staff empowerment, and quality of life. From guiding organizational culture to implementing evidence-based memory care programs, their influence spans every aspect of senior living and community-based care.

Organizations that prioritize inclusive leadership and workforce development benefit not only from stronger outcomes for residents but also from more resilient, engaged teams. By embedding person-directed principles and empowerment-focused strategies, women leaders are setting new standards for care and innovation in the aging sector.

Opportunity with AgingIN:
AgingIN partners with aging services organizations to implement person-directed living principles, strengthen leadership and workforce strategies, and foster empowered, resident-focused cultures—all hallmarks of effective, women-led initiatives.

Connect with us at inquiries@aginginnovation.org to learn how to leverage leadership and culture strategies that amplify impact.

Celebrating Social Workers—Champions of Social Connection and Empowered Care.

March is Social Work Month, a time to recognize the critical role social workers play in aging services. These professionals are essential in promoting social engagement, resident empowerment, and person-directed care for older adults across assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing, and community programs.

Social workers guide residents and families through transitions, advocate for individualized care, and implement programs that reduce isolation and enhance daily life. They are central to creating empowered care cultures, fostering social connection, and ensuring every older adult can thrive with dignity and choice.

Opportunity with AgingIN:
AgingIN supports organizations in embedding person-directed care practices into everyday operations, strengthening workforce education, and enhancing care cultures. By partnering with AgingIN, organizations can ensure that social workers and care teams are fully empowered to deliver exceptional, resident-centered services.

Reach out at inquiries@aginginnovation.org to explore training, culture consulting, and implementation strategies.

Each month, AgingIN Focus will highlight a national recognition or awareness effort. We share why these issues matter to aging services and how person-directed values help move awareness into action.

Elevate Eldercare Podcasts.

Guests: Kim Brawley & Stu Hamilton: 2/4/26

Title: Why Senior Living Leaders Can’t Afford to Ignore Technology
This AgingIN episode explores how intuitive, caregiver-supportive technology—like passive sensors, remote patient monitoring, and value-based care models—can improve outcomes and reduce costs in senior living. Guests Kim Brawley and Stu Hamilton discuss how aligning tech with strong values and a clear wellness philosophy can drive meaningful cultural and operational change across aging services.

Susie Singer Carter: 2/11/26

Title: A Daughter’s Fight to Change Long-Term Care
Filmmaker and advocate Susie Singer Carter joins AgingIN to share how her mother’s 16-year Alzheimer’s journey transformed her from an unexpected caregiver into a national voice for long-term care reform. Inspired by their experience, Susie created the documentary No Country for Old People and launched the ROAR movement to raise awareness, empower families, and push for meaningful change. This episode highlights her powerful story of love, grief, resilience, and the urgent need to reimagine how we care for older adults.

Mary Naber: 2/18/26

Title: Aligning Leadership, Mission, and Innovation
AgingIN CEO Susan Ryan speaks with Mary Naber, president and CEO of PACE Southeast Michigan, about her leadership journey and the impact of the PACE model in helping older adults remain safely in their communities. Mary reflects on how her mother’s dementia experience shaped her commitment to better care and how her blend of clinical and business expertise fuels her people-centered leadership. The episode also highlights the development of Green House homes at PACE Detroit and showcases how mission-driven innovation can transform aging in the community.

Dr. Kelly Tremblay: 2/25/26

Title: The Power of Making Brain Science Accessible
This episode features neuroscientist and WHO advisor Dr. Kelly Tremblay, who shares how her lived experience as a first-generation student and caregiver shaped her passion for accessibility and health equity. She and Susan Ryan discuss her work translating brain science into practical guidance and the launch of Brain Bytes, a new monthly micro-cast offering clear, evidence-based tips on nutrition, hearing, vision, mood, cognition, and balance. Kelly highlights the power of accessible information to support better decisions, stronger advocacy, and healthier aging.

New Episodes 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.

Learn more here Elevate Eldercare Podcast.

State of Change…Advancing Person-Directed Living Across the States.

Y’all Means All: Inside the Texas Culture Change Coalition.
The Texas Culture Change Coalition (TxCCC) is a statewide partnership of residents, providers, clinicians, educators, quality leaders, and representatives from the Texas Health and Human Services Commission united by a shared mission: advancing person-directed care and meaningful, sustainable culture change across aging services in Texas. Through collaboration, education, and practical resources, TxCCC supports organizations committed to improving the quality of life for those they serve.

Save the Date: TxCCC will host its annual in-person conference on June 26 in Austin, bringing together professionals from across Texas and beyond to share ideas, strengthen partnerships, and advance resident-centered practices. To learn more about TxCCC, visit www.txccc.net.

Interested in joining an existing coalition or starting a coalition in your state? Visit National Coordinating Center for State Coalitions.

Let’s Keep the Conversation Going!

Across conferences, classrooms, communities, and coalitions, one theme continues to guide us: meaningful change happens when people come together with shared purpose. Thank you for being part of the AgingIN network—a growing community committed to transforming how we live and age.

We look forward to connecting with you in the months ahead, whether on the road, online, or in Denver this August.

Stay engaged. Share this newsletter with a colleague, follow AgingIN for updates, and reach out anytime at inquiries@aginginnovation.org.