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How do you grieve someone who is still standing in front of you? In this episode, we go beyond the medical diagnosis to explore Ambiguous Loss, the “long goodbye” that defines the dementia experience. It is a journey of grieving every day while the person you love is still living.

The Penn Memory Center (PMC) sits at the intersection of rigorous science and compassionate care. For Holly Elser, MD, PhD, that intersection is where she finds her professional purpose. As both a Clinical Fellow in cognitive and behavioral neurology and a Clark Scholar, Dr. Elser is dedicated to understanding both the biological mechanisms of dementia and the deeply personal experiences of the families navigating it. 

Dr. Elser’s approach to medicine has always been defined by a simple principle: she is more interested in the patient who has the disease than the disease itself. This perspective is what drew her to cognitive neurology, a field where caring for a patient requires more than just a clinical diagnosis. At PMC, it means taking the time to understand who a person is, how they spend their days, and how changes in memory are reshaping their sense of self. 

The Penn Memory Center (PMC) is dedicated to training the next generation of leaders in dementia care and research. Each year, the Clinical Fellowship program supports physicians as they deepen their expertise in cognitive neurology while navigating the complexities of memory loss alongside patients and their families.  

This year, Rogan Magee, MD, PhD, joins PMC as a Clinical Fellow, continuing his journey at an institution he has long admired. 

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 traditionally designed for older adults say about their current role in society? In this episode of The Age of Aging, we look at how architecture and design can both benefit those with dementia or become a detriment to their longevity.

Inside this episode:

• The Miracle Kitchen: Dr. Jason Karlawish discusses the Greenhouse Project and alternative approaches to dementia care design.

• The History of Concealment: Architectural historian Annmarie Adams explains how concealment has historically defined spaces for the sick and the elderly.

• Inclusive Design: Dementia Design Specialists Greg and Fiona Walsh share how they implement inclusive designs to reduce stress and promote independence.

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:

• Terrence sits down with Dr. Jason Karlawish to discuss the results and implications of the U.S. POINTER study for healthy brain aging.

• Dr. Karlawish explains the science behind the MIND diet and how he implements it in his daily life.

• Registered dietitian nutritionist (and Terrence’s sister) Trish St. Ledger shares how to create nutritious meals that are both simple and affordable. St. Ledger provides an overview of a what typical day of breakfast, lunch, and dinner might look like following the MIND diet.

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 this episode to Lucy Davenport, Amanda Lee Williams, James Bonas, Tracey Leigh, Leo Marks, Jennifer Craft Morgan, PhD, Bruce Miller, MD, Leah Lawler, Candace Kemp, PhD, and Jake Broder.

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 stood out at CTAD, what’s changing in the field, and what to watch next.

Inside this episode:

• Anti-amyloid therapies update: Where things stand with lecanemab and donanemab, and what the next generation of these drugs could look like

• GLP-1 disappointment: Why Novo Nordisk’s semaglutide trials for Alzheimer’s disease came up short

• Lifestyle interventions: The latest findings from the POINTER Study and what they mean for brain health

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 season 4 finale of the Age of Aging, we tell the story of UnRavelled, a play about perseverance through neurodegeneration, burgeoning creativity late in life and an artistic relationship across time. Producer Jake Johnson shares his first-hand experience of the play’s premiere and how it combined theater with community outreach and education.

What’s inside:

• A historical perspective on composer Maurice Ravel’s brain condition and his work, “Bolero.”

• An explanation from Dr. Bruce Miller on the relationship between frontotemporal degeneration and creativity.

• Jake Broder’s insight into the inspiration and creation of the play as well as the associated Brain Health Festival.
• The perspective of the show’s director and cast on creating the play and its core themes.

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 connection between improv and dementia care. You’ll hear how techniques from the stage are helping caregivers reduce stress, improve communication, and find moments of joy.

What’s inside:

• A peek inside the Penn Memory Center’s Cognitive Comedy class, where caregivers and people living with dementia learn improv basics.

• Dr. Anne Basting on why asking questions and staying present matters in tough caregiving moments.

• Improv teacher and elder care educator Karen Stobbe shares her personal story of using improv to care for her mother with Alzheimer’s.

• Researchers Dr. Candace Kemp, Dr. Jennifer Craft Morgan, and Amanda Lee Williams discuss the science behind improv’s benefits for caregivers.

• Leah Lawler, creator of Cognitive Comedy, explains why teaching improv to older adults is her passion.

Whether you’re a caregiver, a healthcare professional, or simply curious about creative approaches to aging, this episode offers practical insights and inspiring stories that will change the way you think about care.