In this newsletter
Chairman's Note
Friends,
What an extraordinary year this has been. The unprecedented successes in vaccine development and distribution have led to open doors and warm embraces. But this is no time for apathy. At the Center for the Future of Aging, the re-opening challenges us to move faster—and with greater effect. Our Alliance to Improve Dementia Care promotes timely detection, supports caregivers, broadens access, and narrows disparities. With evidence that health services can be provided at lower cost and with higher quality in home- and community-based settings, we are advancing innovations and models for change. Our Retirement Roundtable convened leaders from financial services, health, academia, policy, and philanthropy to discuss multi-sectoral strategies to enhance financial wellness, health, and purpose. These are just a few examples of our work, and none of it could be done without the active involvement of our board members and their organizations. We are very grateful for their continuing support and the collaboration of so many individuals and organizations who share our aspirations for a better future.
Paul Irving
Chairman
Milken Institute Center for the Future of Aging
Featured News
Joanne Kenen takes readers inside the Milken Institute Future of Health Summit, a gathering of global health leaders and innovators, as they tackle today's pressing health challenges.
June 22, 2021: “No Silver Lining, but Pandemic Lessons to Learn”
June 23, 2021: “COVID and the New Spirit of Collaboration”
June 24, 2021: “From Shadows to Solutions: Health Care Post-Covid”
What COVID-19 Means for the Future of Aging
Lauren Dunning of our Center and our board members, Richard Ashworth, Trent Stamp, and Fernando Torres-Gil, made the case for societal change post-pandemic. Read moderator Richard Eisenberg's take from the Future of Health Summit panel.
We interviewed the Center for the Future of Aging Advisory Board to hear their perspectives on health and wellness, financial security and retirement, advances in bioscience, housing and communities, work, and philanthropy in light of the pandemic.
The John A. Hartford Foundation's Commitment to Equitable and Effective Dementia Care
JAHF supports the work of our Alliance to Improve Dementia Care. Read more about the Foundation's work here.
Pandemic Reveals the Need for a New Approach to Retirement Security
Our board member, Ric Edelman, imagines a future with no retirees living in poverty for the Milken Institute Power of Ideas series.
Why Every Month Should Be Older Americans Month
Growing old is common ground—something uniting, not differentiating. Paul Irving discusses ageism and purpose with Jeanette Leardi in NextAvenue.
Could this be the Way to Better Home Care in America?
Liz Seegert delves into efforts to expand the Program for All-Inclusive Care for Elderly (PACE) with insights from Senior Director Nora Super and our long-term care report.
Confronting the Stigma of Dementia
In the US, more than 7.2 million people live with dementia. AARP conducted a survey of patients and clinicians that shed light on the perceptions and stigma related to brain health, cognitive decline, and dementia. The survey was released at the Milken Institute's Future of Health Summit.
"Building Workforce Capacity to Improve Detection and Diagnosis of Dementia" Consensus Report by Alliance Director Diane Ty and Associate Mac McDermott
"New Milken Report Recommends Ways to Make Cognitive Screening Routine" American Society on Aging Blog by Diane Ty
"Routine cognitive screening can help detect early signs of dementia" STAT News Op-ed by Nora Super and Diane Ty
"Living with Dementia" Administrative Action Brief (pages 24-27) by Nora Super and Mac McDermott
Point-Counterpoint: To Test or Not to Test for Alzheimer's Genetic Risk
Wondering whether to be tested for Alzheimer's genetic risk? Nora Super and Kelly O'Brien discuss their diverging views in American Society on Aging's Generations Now.
Age-Friendly Marketing
Paul Irving says the longevity economy is arguably the biggest opportunity in business.
Your Money Map with Jean Chatzky
Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, nearly 30 percent of older adults had no retirement savings at all. Nora Super discusses this troubling reality with Jean Chatzky.
Progress, Potential, and Possibilities Podcast
Nora Super advocates for a better tomorrow for older adults with Ira Pastor.
Biden's Latest Housing Nominee Could Help all Americans—But Especially Older Ones
Paul Irving urged the new administration to invest in the reinvention of housing in America for our 21st-Century age demographics.
Recent Events
Future of Health Summit
The Milken Institute and its community convened (virtually) on June 22-23 to discuss lessons learned from the past year and promote a healthier, more resilient, and more equitable future. Access the entire program here. The Center for the Future of Aging organized sessions on:
"COVID-19 and the Future of Aging"
"Bringing Health Home: The New Frontiers of Technology and Aging"
"Dementia: Addressing the Stigma of America's Most Feared Diagnosis"
"The COVID Long Haulers: Facing the Cognitive and Physical Consequences"
"It's the Life in Your Years: Reimagining Retirement for Longer, Healthier Lives"
Edward Jones: Walk to End Alzheimer's
Diane Ty gave a keynote address on "Improving Dementia Care" to the participants of Edward Jones’ annual event.
Retirement Roundtable
On May 19, with support from Edward Jones, the Center convened leaders from financial services, health, policy, academia, and philanthropy to discuss strategies to enhance financial wellness, health, and purpose. Contact Lauren Dunning ([email protected]) to learn more and get involved.
Alliance to Improve Dementia Care Member Meetings
Our Alliance coalition of 80+ leading organizations convenes monthly to share best practices and innovations. Recent discussion topics include the Dementia-Friendly America Evaluation Guide, Best Practice Caregiving, New Approaches to Long-Term Care Access for Middle-Income Households, BrainGuide™, Better Brain Health through Equity, COVID-19 and Brain Health, and Alzheimer's.gov Showcase.
On the Horizon
Alzheimer's Society UK
The Milken Institute is partnering with the UK's leading dementia charity to visualize a better future for people living with dementia and their caregivers. Contact Diane Ty ([email protected]) to learn more and look out for a roadmap at the end of 2021.
Social Prescribing: Accelerating Community Connections
We are joining forces with MPTF for a virtual event in the fall. Bringing social prescription into US practice will hopefully reduce loneliness and social isolation. Social prescribing focuses on what matters to each person, whether it is art classes, yoga, volunteering, knitting, singing, walking, gardening, museums, or reading groups. Contact Associate Director Caroline Servat ([email protected]) to learn more.
Asia Summit
The Milken Institute will convene leaders in Singapore from September 29-30, 2021, to discuss global challenges and opportunities for collaboration.
Global Conference
The conversations held at the Milken Institute's 24th annual Global Conference will center on "Charting a New Course." This in-person and virtual hybrid event takes place October 17-20, 2021.
From Our Board
Forbes celebrated Art Bilger and his team at WorkingNation for bringing attention to structural unemployment issues and helping people find purpose.
Angelique Chan spoke to the South China Morning Post about changing demographics and fertility.
Henry Cisneros co-authored "The Texas Triangle: An Emerging Power in the Global Economy," a study examining the population growth, economic power, education, leadership, and fiscal significance of Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston-Galveston, and Austin-San Antonio.
Nanette Cocero gave remarks on Pfizer's FDA-approved vaccine for the prevention of invasive pneumococcal disease and pneumonia.
Pinchas Cohen's discovery helps explain why older adults and people with metabolic dysfunction have more severe responses to COVID-19.
Catherine Collinson and Johns Hopkins explored what employers can do to reduce workers' risk of developing chronic diseases.
Joe Coughlin wrote for Forbes about why climate change should be a part of your retirement plan.
Terry Fulmer advocated on ABC News for better pay and recognition for nurses and nursing assistants.
Linda Fried joined Ken Dychtwald on July 7 for the American Society on Aging's Legacy Interviews.
Lynn Goldman described the risks that unvaccinated people face and why they should continue wearing masks for Business Insider.
Chris Herbert spoke to Bloomberg Businessweek about US housing policy.
Jo Ann Jenkins spoke to Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra about the health and well-being priorities of people 50 and older.
Yves Joanette contributed to an AARP report about COVID-19 and Brain Health.
Andrew Scott believes technologies can engage older workers in reskilling efforts.
Rodney Slater spoke to Bloomberg about the path forward for infrastructure.
The Wall Street Journal wrote about the financial risks of cognitive decline with help from Surya Kolluri of Bank of America.
Jim Mellon is predicting the future of meat made via cellular agriculture and using psychedelics in neuroscience.
Penny Pennington was recognized by Barron's as a top ten most influential woman in wealth management.
The Annenberg Foundation, with Cinny Kennard as executive director, is partnering with Best Buy to create 12 Teen Tech Centers to help close the digital divide and provide young women and youth of color with meaningful, career-linked opportunities.
The Food and Drug Administration approved the first new treatment for Alzheimer's disease in nearly two decades. With the help of Karin Hellsvik, Biogen's drug, Aduhelm, was granted accelerated approval on June 7.
Post-pandemic, retirees overwhelmingly report purpose as key to a successful retirement, Edward Jones and Age Wave research finds.
Home Instead, with Jeff Huber as CEO, released a series of articles about how aging can impact your five senses.
"Meeting the Multigenerational Moment," a Stanford essay series from Encore.org and The Eisner Foundation, explores creative ways of bringing people of different ages together.
The National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & Care (NIC), co-founded by Bob Kramer, released a study that found that 64 percent of senior living communities saw no COVID-19-related deaths.
Laura Carstensen's Stanford Center on Longevity conducted the Sightlines 2021 Survey to understand whether and to what extent financial security, social engagement, and healthy living behaviors have changed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Given the significant impacts of SilverSneakers on participants' health, including a reduction in average health-care expenses by 16 percent, Tivity Health, with Richard Ashworth as president and CEO, is looking to partner with home-based care companies and other senior-care providers.