Aging Together // Unfiltered
TL;DR: A podcast for adult children of aging parents and family caregivers who want honest, no-fluff conversations about aging, care, and caregiving. We talk about what’s working, what’s broken, and what needs to change—without sugarcoating or euphemisms.
Aging Together // Unfiltered explores the real challenges and hard decisions families face as they support aging loved ones. Hosted by Dr. Pooja A. Patel—a double-board certified occupational therapist and gerontologist, and longtime caregiver advocate—this show moves beyond “proper” conversations and into the realities families are navigating every day.
After four seasons of carefully curated, polished discussions, this podcast is now intentionally unfiltered. Not for shock value, but because polite language hasn’t fixed broken systems—or made caregiving easier. Our elders and their families don’t need softer words. They need better care, clearer information, and honest conversations that lead to action.
Each episode features clinicians, caregivers, innovators, and leaders who bring both professional expertise and lived experience. Together, we dive into aging in America—what’s working, what’s failing, and where families are being left to figure things out on their own.
Topics include:
- Aging in place and long-term care options
- Care planning, transitions, and crisis moments
- Mental health, grief, and caregiver burnout
- Navigating healthcare systems and resources
- Advocacy, accountability, and better models of care
This podcast is for the sandwich generation, long-distance caregivers, aging adults planning ahead, and professionals working in aging and care who want the truth—not platitudes.
👉 Follow Aging Together // Unfiltered if you’re navigating aging parents, caregiving decisions, or a healthcare system that wasn’t built with families in mind—and you’re ready for real conversations, not polite ones.
🎙️ Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and YouTube.
A production of Aging Together LLC.
Aging Together // Unfiltered
S4E14: Supportive Living Communities: Finding the Just-Right Fit for You | Dawn Marie Johnson
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Summary:
In this episode of the Aging Together podcast, Dr. Pooja A. Patel interviews Dawn Marie Johnson, a seasoned professional in the senior living industry. They discuss the evolution of supportive living options, the importance of family involvement, and the challenges faced by caregivers. Dawn shares her personal journey into the industry, emphasizing the significance of holistic well-being and the role of technology in enhancing the quality of life for seniors. The conversation also touches on the future of senior living communities, the need for affordability, and the importance of starting the search for senior living early.
Takeaways:
- Dawn Marie Johnson has over 20 years of experience in senior living.
- Supportive living options include both home care and community living.
- Aging in place allows seniors to maintain their sense of home.
- Family involvement is crucial in the transition to senior living.
- Isolation is a significant issue for seniors that can affect health.
- Holistic well-being encompasses mind, body, and spirit.
- Technology should enhance, not replace, human connection.
- Community engagement activities are vital for resident happiness.
- The baby boomer generation is reshaping senior living expectations.
- Starting the search for senior living early can ease the transition.
About the Guest:
Dawn joined Wingate Living in 2016 and serves as the Vice President of Sales and Marketing. She is responsible for overseeing sales and marketing functions, including developing and implementing a cohesive marketing plan to increase brand awareness, sales strategies, occupancy growth, and market analysis to identify areas of growth.
Dawn brings to this position over 20 years of experience in the senior living industry, including roles in dementia training, sales leadership, and mentoring. Prior to her role as Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Wingate, she served as Regional Sales and Marketing Director, Senior Sales Director, and Area Director of Community Relations.
Dawn is driven by her desire to coach, mentor, and lead her teams with a compassionate approach. Her background, experience, and double major in Marketing and Sociology from Southern Connecticut University help her work closely to understand the needs of families searching for senior living options.
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