In this week's episode of Elevate Eldercare, AgingIN CEO Susan Ryan sits down with Beverly Gianna, who recently became a long-term care ombudsman after a three-decade career with the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau, now known as New Orleans & Company.

Having earned at least three master's degrees—one from the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology— Beverly has become a passionate advocate for nursing home residents. Her fascinating story takes listeners through personal caregiving experiences and a deepening interest in aging, ultimately leading her to ombudsman work.

In today's episode, she champions the rights, dignity, and voices of residents—ensuring they are heard, respected, and empowered. Among the many valuable lessons Beverly has learned along her journey: listening is one of the most powerful tools in advocacy. As she notes, advocacy starts with listening—helping residents articulate their needs, preferences, and goals.

In this episode of Brain Bytes, host Kelly Tremblay, PhD, neuroscientist and hearing and brain health expert, explores the powerful—and often overlooked—connection between hearing and the brain.

In recognition of World Hearing Day on March 3, Dr. Kelly sheds light on why hearing health is critical to overall well-being, especially for older adults.

Hearing loss is one of the leading causes of years lived with disability worldwide, affecting one in three adults over 65. But, as Dr. Kelly explains, it's not simply an inevitable part of aging—lifestyle factors, environmental exposure, and even certain medical treatments can play a significant role.

This episode illuminates why hearing loss is closely linked to brain health and cognitive decline, how untreated hearing loss can contribute to social isolation and increased dementia risk, and how to recognize early signs of hearing loss.

Dr. Kelly examines how hearing is not just about the ears, it's a brain function, and why early detection and intervention can significantly improve quality of life, communication, and cognitive health.

Following are link to resources referred to in the episode:

• Hearing Loss Association of America: https://www.hearingloss.org/
• WHO Deafness and Hearing Loss Q&A: https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/deafness-and-hearing-loss-safe-listening
• Ask an Audiologist: https://www.audiology.org/consumers-and-patients/
• AgingIN Annual Conference: https://aginginnovation.org/events/annual-conference/
  
  

We are grateful to Parker Health for their sponsorship of this micro podcast.

In this week's episode, AgingIN CEO Susan Ryan sits down with industry leader Lisa McCracken to explore how data, innovation, and bold thinking are reshaping the future of eldercare.

With more than 26 years of experience spanning Holleran, Ziegler, and now the National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & Care, Lisa shares how research and analytics can drive access, affordability, and meaningful choice for older adults.

From the growing urgency of serving the "forgotten middle" to the promise (and noise) of AI, this conversation offers a candid, forward-looking view of where the sector is headed—and what it will take to get there.

In addition, with an overwhelming number of tech solutions entering the market, Lisa notes that NIC is working to evaluate and vet tools—especially through partnerships that help providers make smarter decisions.

The future of eldercare will require innovation, partnerships, and a willingness to challenge traditional models—especially to meet the needs of a rapidly aging population.

More about NIC here: https://www.nic.org