GSA Momentum Discussions

Reflections of My Weight Journey with Joe Sapone

In this Momentum Discussions Podcast episode, Joseph Sapone reflects on his weight journey. He provides us with unique perspectives of an older adult who has lived in a larger body size for most of his adult life. He shares how stigma and bias have affected him in his personal and professional life as well as in healthcare and other settings. Joe discusses how a comprehensive approach to obesity management has helped him to achieve his health and wellness goals, and he offers insights into why it is so important that older adults have access to the full continuum of obesity care. 

Transcript

Guest
Joseph Sapone, MBA
Founder and President, P4+

Host
Jennifer Pettis, MS, RN, CNE
Director, Strategic Alliances
Gerontological Society of America

This podcast episode is supported by Novo Nordisk. Content was developed by Gerontological Society of America (GSA).

Advocating for Science-Based Person-Centered Obesity Care: A Conversation with Ted Kyle

In this Momentum Discussions Podcast episode, obesity advocate Ted Kyle shares a bit about his personal history with obesity and how this influenced his vital work as an advocate. He discusses his perspectives on how false beliefs and outdated paradigms, along with stigma and bias, negatively affect individuals living with obesity. Finally, he explains that good obesity care requires access to the full range of obesity care tools, and he offers a message to policymakers about the need to offer older adults access to the full range of obesity care options. 

Transcript

Guest
Ted Kyle, RPh, MBA
Founder, ConscienHealth
Chair, Obesity Society’s Advocacy Committee 
Steering Committee, STOP Obesity Alliance
Board of Directors, Obesity Action Coalition

Host
Jennifer Pettis, MS, RN, CNE
Director, Strategic Alliances
Gerontological Society of America

This podcast episode is supported by Novo Nordisk. Content was developed by Gerontological Society of America (GSA).

The Future of Higher Education in an Era of Longevity

During this Momentum Discussion podcast episode, GSA VP Lisa McGuire and TIAA Institute Head Surya Kolluri discuss how rapid transformations in our society are impacting trends in higher education. With life expectancy rising by 17 years since the Social Security program debuted in the United States nearly 90 years ago, tremendous opportunities have arisen on many fronts, including in higher education. The podcast also addresses some of the headwinds that come from these changes as they relate to institutions of higher education. Lisa and Surya discuss how, by broadening the scope of educational and recruitment efforts to include learners of all ages, institutions can be transformed and experience an economic lift.

Resources

• Download the Transcript
• Age Inclusivity in Higher Education Newsletter
  • Learners for Life, Issue 21, Winter 2025
  • Learners for Life, Issue 20, Fall 2024

Speaker
Surya Kolluri, MBA, Head of TIAA Institute

Host
Lisa C. McGuire, PhD, FGSA, Vice President of Strategic Alliances & Practice Innovation, Gerontological Society of America

 

This podcast received funding support from TIAA Institute. Content was developed by the Gerontological Society of America (GSA).

 

Stimulating Early Neurology Referrals for People with Cognitive Impairment Who May Benefit from Anti-Amyloid Therapies

In this Momentum Discussion Podcast episode, Dr. Armen J. Moughamian, a neurologist who cares for people with neurodegenerative brain illnesses, including Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, explains anti-amyloid therapy for Alzheimer’s disease and mild cognitive impairment. He describes who may benefit from these therapies, discusses their efficacy and safety, and explains the importance of early detection of cognitive impairment. Dr. Moughamian also provides important insights into how primary care teams can help ensure that individuals who might be candidates for anti-amyloid therapies are well prepared for timely referrals to a neurologist.

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Speaker

Armen J. Moughamian, MD, PhD, Medical Director at the Ray Dolby Brain Health Center, Division Chief of Neurology, Vice Chair of Neuroscience at the California Pacific Medical Center

Host

Jennifer L. Pettis, MS, RN, CNE, Director, Strategic Alliances, Gerontological Society of America

 

This podcast episode is supported by Eisai. Content was developed by Gerontological Society of America (GSA).

Emerging Issues in Obesity Care for Older Adults

In this Momentum Discussion Podcast episode, Dr. John A. Batsis, co-convener of the GSA Obesity and Aging Interest Group, describes exciting findings about how obesity management medications positively impact a variety of major medical conditions. He also describes the unique needs of older adults with obesity and highlights the need for evidence-based, team-based care for them. 

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Speaker

John Batsis, MD, Associate Professor, Division of Geriatric Medicine, School of Medicine, Department of Nutrition, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Host

Jennifer L. Pettis, MS, RN, CNE, Director, Strategic Alliances, Gerontological Society of America

 

This podcast episode is supported by Novo Nordisk. Content was developed by the Gerontological Society of America (GSA).

Journey to GUIDE: One Practice's Road to Implementation

The Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience (GUIDE) Model is a Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation demonstration model that launched on July 1, 2024. The model focuses on comprehensive, coordinated dementia care and aims to improve the quality of life for people with dementia, reduce strain on their unpaid caregivers, and enable people with dementia to remain in their homes and communities. During this Momentum Discussion Podcast episode, leaders from Emory Integrated Memory Care discuss the GUIDE Model and their experiences implementing the model. They also share insights on how other organizations can receive support from any of six evidence-based models through the National Dementia Care Collaborative. 

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Speakers:

Carolyn Clevenger, DNP, GNP-BC, FAANP, FGSA, FAAN, Professor, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing at Emory University
Founder and Director, Emory Integrated Memory Care

Laura Medders, LCSW, Administrative Director, Emory Integrated Memory Care

Host

Jennifer Pettis, MS, RN, CNE, Director of Strategic Alliances, Gerontological Society of America (GSA)

 

This podcast episode is supported by Eisai, Genentech, Lilly, and Otsuka. Content was developed by Gerontological Society of America (GSA).

Empowering Sons and Daughters of People with Younger-Onset Dementia

Younger-onset dementia is diagnosed when a person under 65 develops dementia; some people are diagnosed even as young as their 30s or 40s. People with younger-onset dementia and their families have unique needs, particularly when the family includes children, teens, or young adults. Lorenzo’s House empowers young people and their families walking with younger-onset dementia through an array of holistic support–shifting the narrative from isolation to connection, stigma to strength, and darkness to light. In this Momentum Discussion Podcast episode, Patti LaFleur, the Youth and Lighthouse Outreach Lead for Lorenzo’s House, describes her journey as a care partner to her mom, who she lost to early-onset dementia. She shares how Lorenzo’s House empowers young people and their families walking with younger-onset dementia through an array of holistic support–shifting the narrative from isolation to connection, stigma to strength, and darkness to light.  

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Guest:

Patti LaFleur, M. ED, CDP, Youth and Lighthouse Outreach Lead, Lorenzo's House

Host:

Jen Pettis, MS, RN, CNE, Director of Strategic Alliances, Gerontological Society of America 

 

This podcast episode is supported by Eisai, Genentech, Lilly, and Otsuka. Content was developed by Gerontological Society of America (GSA).

The Significance of Ensuring Older Adults Have Access to Age-Appropriate Vaccines

During this Momentum Discussion podcast episode, GSA CEO James Appleby and VP for Policy and Professional Affairs, Patricia D’Antonio, discuss the importance of older adults having access to and receiving age-appropriate vaccines. They describe the positive economic impact of being immunized, such as avoiding illness and maintaining work schedules and social engagements, avoiding co-morbid long-term illnesses and hospitalizations, and enjoying all aspects of living. They address topics pending at the upcoming Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, including a discussion on the age when individuals can receive a vaccine to prevent pneumococcal infections. Appleby and D’Antonio also discuss the significant role of all healthcare professionals in championing age-appropriate vaccines. 

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Speaker:
Patricia M. “Trish” D’Antonio BSPharm, MS, MBA, BCGP, Vice President of Policy and Professional Affairs, Gerontological Society of America

Host:
James Appleby, BSPharm, MPH, ScD (Hon), Chief Executive Officer, Gerontological Society of America

 

This podcast episode is supported by Pfizer. Content was developed by Gerontological Society of America (GSA).

Steps to Increasing Adult Vaccination Rates

During this Momentum Discussion podcast episode, our panelists identify strategies to increase the vaccination rates of older adults in 2024. They address the collaborative efforts healthcare teams can implement to champion adult vaccinations, how to ignite urgency and awareness of the importance of getting age appropriate vaccinations among both the public and healthcare providers, how to break through vaccine misinformation and hesitancy, how to bridge the gap between patient beliefs and evidence-based practice, how can we implement some flexibility in our vaccination schedules without compromising patient adherence or overall acceptance of vaccination, and the importance of catalyzing the whole vaccine neighborhood.

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Guests:
Barbara Resnick, PhD, RN, CRNP, FAAN, FAANP, FGSA, Distinguished University Professor, Sonya Ziporkin Gershowitz Chair in Gerontology, University of Maryland

Julian Ritchey, VP, Head of Public Affairs and Patient Advocacy, US Vaccines at Sanofi

Host:
Karen K. Tracy, Vice President, Strategic Alliances & Integrated Communications, Gerontological Society of America

 

This podcast episode is supported by Sanofi. Content was developed by Gerontological Society of America (GSA).

The 5-Cog Paradigm: An Innovation to Improve Detection and Management of Impaired Cognition in Primary Care

In April 2024, a team of researchers from Albert Einstein College of Medicine led by Dr. Joe Verghese published the results of a randomized controlled trial examining the impact of implementing the 5-Cog Paradigm in primary care. The 5-Cog Paradigm includes a non-literacy biased, culturally fair cognitive detection tool combined with clinical decision support embedded in the electronic medical record. In this Momentum Discussion Podcast episode, Dr. Verghese discusses the unmet needs that led to the development of the 5-Cog, explains the 5-Cog Paradigm, and shares key findings from the team’s research.

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Guest:
Joe Verghese, MBBS, MS, Professor, Saul R. Korey Department of Neurology, Murray D. Gross Memorial Faculty Scholar in Gerontology, Chief of the Divisions of Cognitive and Motor Aging, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Attending Physician, Department of Neurology, Chief of the Division of Geriatrics, Montefiore Health System

Host:
Jennifer Pettis, MS, RN, CNE, Director, Strategic Alliances, Gerontological Society of America

 

This podcast episode is supported by Eisai, Genentech, Lilly, and Otsuka. Content was developed by Gerontological Society of America (GSA).