Fighting Dementia Stereotypes, GLP1 Biological Aging Study, Aging in Place, 6-23-26

This News for the Ages by Rethinking Aging Club episode was recorded in June, which is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month. We were glad to be able to include this important article from the Guardian about people living with dementia in early stages rallying to get better media representations and treatment. They have formed or become active in organizations like the Young Dementia Network, Dementia Alliance International, Deep (the Dementia Engagement and Empowerment Project). All of them are “experts by experience," and many are actively involved in research projects such as Living Well With Dementia. Benjamin Surmi, who has extensive experience in the memory care world reported for our discussion.

Ellen Khalifa, a peer educator for GLP-1s, presented two studies showing that semaglutide slowed biological aging in HIV patients by 9%. The original study was done in the UK and published in The Lancet, then UC San Diego ran the data through epigenetic clocks.

Elizabeth Magallon Fleury's report focused on one of the challenges of aging in place, the fact that older homeowners often stay put due to financial and housing availability constraints. Ray Gordon, who is an architect and urban planner, commented on the need for innovative housing solutions, including modular and panelized construction, to address the housing shortage. They also discussed the potential of 3D printing for affordable housing.

Presented by Benjamin Surmi, Social Gerontologist and Senior Living Expert, VP Arvo.care, Advisor to Koelsch Communities
The Guardian 6-9-26 People Living with Dementia Are Fighting Against Damaging Stereotypes and Demanding Proper Medical Support  by Anne Karpf
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/jun/09/dementia-rebels-diagnosed-determined-change-peoples-minds

Linda Sherman referred to the 2014 film Still Alice where Julianne Moore plays Alice Howland, a linguistics professor diagnosed with Alzheimer's. From the book of the same name 2007.

Presented by Ellen Khalifa, Habits Coach for Healthspan and Wellspan
UC San Diego News 6-11-26 GLP-1 Slowing Biological Aging? by Susanne Clara Bard
https://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/news/new-study-shows-popular-glp-1-weight-loss-drug-may-slow-biological-aging

Studies referenced in this article:
Nature
The Lancet
While the study focused on people with HIV‑associated lipohypertrophy, Corley says it may also offer lessons for the wider population.
Michael Corley, Ph.D., associate professor at UC San Diego School of Medicine and the Stein Institute for Research on Aging.
Compared to the placebo group:
“- Participants treated with semaglutide exhibited a broad pattern of slower biological aging across epigenetic clocks linked to inflammation and blood, brain, heart, kidney, liver and metabolic health.
- The drug slowed the pace of biological aging by 9 %, as measured by the DunedinPACE epigenetic clock.
- The drug significantly slowed biological processes associated with the risk of all‑cause mortality and age-related disease, as measured by the PCGrimAge epigenetic clock.”
Ellen mentioned her GLP-1 report in our 5-26-26 News for the Ages episode.

Presented by Elizabeth Magallon Fleury, CAPS, Life's Encore Planning
Housing Wire 6-8-26  Many Older Americans Stuck in Homes That No Longer Fit by Jonathan Delozier
https://www.housingwire.com/articles/many-older-americans-stuck-in-homes-that-no-longer-fit/

This article refers to NAR (National Association of Realtors) report on multigenerational home buying reported by Housing Wire 4-22-26
Gen X led as buyers try to combine affordability and caregiving support

We mentioned our Rethinking Aging Club Podcast episode recorded May 28, 2026 on Social Isolation and Mental Health

Discussion hosted with commentary by: Founder and executive producer Linda Sherman, with co-host Ray Gordon.

BoomerTechTalk.com episode page 

6-23-26 LinkedIn Show Post

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Nickie’s Tune written and performed by Richard Sherman