At the Penn Memory Center, we often recommend exercise, social engagement, and a solid support system to help people age well. Owning a dog is not on that list, but maybe it should be. For many older adults, dogs are more than companions. They’re motivators to stay active, reasons to connect with neighbors, and steady sources of comfort through life’s challenges. Emerging research suggests that that this age-old bond between humans and dogs may be one of our healthiest friendships. On this episode of The Age of Aging, we celebrate dogs, and how they might help us live long, healthy lives.

First, we hear from caregivers and dog owners about how their dogs help them care for their loved ones with dementia. Then, Professor Philip Tedeschi explains how humans’ co-evolution with dogs has made us perfect support system for one another. Lynn Cronomiz recounts how a powerful moment between a therapy dog and her mother with Alzheimer’s helped her process her mother’s passing. Finally, we explore humans’ inseparable connection with nature through the biophilia hypothesis.

Resources available on the episode webpage linked below

• Dog ownership in the U.S. statistics – American Veterinary Medical Association

• “2025 Alzheimer’s Facts and Figures” – Alzheimer’s Association

• Listen to Season 1 Episode 4, “Diagnosing Dementia,” featuring Lynn Cronomiz

• Learn more about the Insitute for Human-Animal Connection

• Visit KPETS, which Lynn Cronomiz does her therapy dog work with

• Learn more about the “biophilia hypothesis”

• Petfinder to adopt a pet near you

• Visit the American Kennel Club website for more information on dog breeds

Special thanks to Tom Casey, Miguel Centeno, Kathy Oldfield, Philip Tedeschi LCSW, MSSW, Lynn Cronomiz, and Carlo Siracusa DVM, PhD, DACVB, DECAWBM

The Age of Aging is a Penn Memory Center production hosted by Editorial Director Terrence Casey and Producer Jake Johnson, in partnership with the Penn FTD Center, the Penn Institute on Aging, and Penn’s Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center. Contributors include Nicolette Calcavecchia, Dalia Elsaid, Jason Karlawish, Emily Largent, and Meaghan Sharp.

The Age of Aging is made possible by generous support from the Michael Naidoff Communications Hub fund and our sponsor, the TIAA Institute. The TIAA Institute is a think tank committed to building knowledge that advances lifelong financial security and well-being while considering the intersections of health and wealth. Their cutting-edge research provides actionable financial and longevity insig...

When we think about justice, older adults aren’t always top of mind. Yet in the United States, seniors often face stigma, exploitation, and insufficient social support, all while navigating cognitive and physical decline. As lifespans continue to grow globally, aging is a future we all hope to reach. So how do we ensure that future is just? And what does justice for older adults truly look like?

Welcome to Season 4 of The Age of Aging! We’re kicking off with a vital and multifaceted topic: elder justice. Joining us are three leading voices who help unpack the legal, cultural, and systemic challenges facing older adults — and what can be done to address them.

• MT Connolly, author and elder justice advocate, explores the deep-rooted cultural and structural issues that shape aging in America, and offers ideas for meaningful reform.

• Charlie Sabatino, former director of the American Bar Association’s Commission on Law and Aging, explains how working with an elder law attorney can help preserve autonomy and dignity throughout the aging process.

• Judge Lois Murphy shares insights from the courtroom, including a real-life guardianship case that illustrates the complexities and consequences of our legal system’s approach to elder care.

If you enjoy the episode, please leave us a review and share it with a friend. Got a story idea for Season 4 or beyond? Reach out to us at ageofaging@pennmedicine.upenn.edu.

Resources

• Listen to Season 1 Episode 2, “Living Well with Purpose,” about supported decision-making.

• Read The Measure of Our Age: Navigating Care, Safety, Money, and Meaning Later in Life by MT Connolly.

• Learn more about MT Connolly.

• More information on the RISE model

• CDC Mortality Trend Graph

• 2023 CDC Life Expectancy

• Learn more about Charlie Sabatino

• More information on guardianship in Pennsylvania

• Learn more about Judge Murphy

Special thanks to Charlie Sabatino JD, MT Connolly JD, and Judge Lois Murphy.

The Age of Aging is a Penn Memory Center production hoste...

Welcome to a mid-year bonus episode of The Age of Aging! While the podcast takes a short break between seasons, we wanted to bring you a special update on the state of Alzheimer’s today. Penn Memory Center Co-Directors Dr. Jason Karlawish and Dr. David Wolk sat down with Terrence Casey to share their reflections from this year’s Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC), which they attended earlier this summer. They discuss their biggest takeaways, including the impact of NIH funding cuts, the rapid innovations that continue to shape the field, and what they’re keeping their eye on for next year’s conference in London.

We hope you enjoy and stay tuned for season 4 of The Age of Aging this fall! If you enjoy the show, leave us a review and share this episode with a friend. If you have any story suggestions for Season 4 and beyond, contact us at ageofaging@pennmedicine.upenn.edu.

Resources

• Learn more about the Alzheimer’s Association and AAIC

Special thanks to Jason Karlawish, MD and David Wolk, MD.

The Age of Aging is a Penn Memory Center production hosted by Editorial Director Terrence Casey and Producer Jake Johnson, in partnership with the Penn FTD Center, the Penn Institute on Aging, and UPenn’s Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center. Contributors include Nicolette Calcavecchia, Dalia Elsaid, Jason Karlawish, Emily Largent, and Meaghan Sharp.