The “COVID Curse” and Reframing Senior Care with Julie Masters of University of Nebraska Omaha

On this episode, host Peter Murphy Lewis talks to Julie Masters, Professor of Gerontology at the University of Nebraska Omaha. Julie shares her passion for reframing how we view aging and why education, community design, and storytelling are essential to creating meaningful experiences for older adults. She reflects on shifts in gerontology programs, her own experiences navigating health care systems, and the urgent need to make communities more age-friendly.

Key Takeaways:

00:00 Introduction.
01:54 Nobody hopes to end up in long-term care.
06:07 COVID created a lasting stigma around aging.
08:09 Students find inspiration in grandparents’ active lives.
14:01 Health care systems can be difficult for older adults to navigate.
15:37 Simple design changes make environments age-friendly.
18:19 Older adults grow less alike as they age.
22:40 Safe spaces encourage storytelling and dignity.
26:40 Meaning and purpose remain possible at any age.

Resources Mentioned:

University of Nebraska Omaha website

“The Book of Charlie” by David Von Drehle

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