Local Advocacy, Global Impact: Sheena Jaffer on Aging With Dignity - Episode 86

🎧 Sheena Jaffer: Global Advocacy, Local Change & The Power of Age Tech! 🌍

Welcome to a truly inspiring episode of the Caregiver Relief Podcast! 🎉 In this powerful conversation, your host Diane Carbo sits down with Sheena Jaffer, a globally respected advocate for aging with dignity. Sheena shares her incredible journey, from personal caregiving experiences that shaped her path, to her influential work in both local and international aging initiatives. You won't want to miss her insights on how we can better support older adults with dignity and purpose!

What's Inside This Episode? 🚀

• A Mosaic of Purpose: Discover how Sheena's personal caregiving experiences for her parents and nephew, coupled with a promising banking career, led her to a "nonlinear career trajectory" driven by compassion and service. It's a testament to responding to "what your heart tugs at".
• Age Tech: A Game Changer for Independence! 🤖 Sheena dives deep into assistive technology (Age Tech/Gerontechnology), explaining why it's crucial for successful aging. Learn how innovations are "reshaping independent aging" and bridging the "care divide," especially with dwindling caregiver numbers.
• The Unseen Struggle: We discuss the challenge of getting cutting-edge Age Tech from innovators to the households that desperately need it, and how vital advocacy and strong networks are to overcome this.
• Age-Friendly Cities: A Global Movement: Sheena shares her extensive work with the Age-Friendly Cities movement in Washington D.C. and Edmonton, Canada, implementing the World Health Organization's global framework. Find out how factoring in 8 specific domains, like housing, can create supportive environments for all generations.
• ATscale: A Global Mission: Hear about ATscale, the global partnership for assistive technology, aiming to provide life-changing AT to 500 million more people globally by 2030! 🌎 Sheena highlights the stark contrast in AT access between high-income and low-to-mid-income countries.
• The Longevity Economy & Connected Care: Get excited about the "unprecedented future of aging unfolding" with rapid advancements in Age Tech. Sheena envisions the home becoming a "health hub," combining aging in place with healthcare in place.
• Challenges & Solutions: We tackle the societal challenge of viewing aging, emphasizing a shift towards "vitality, not decline". Sheena stresses the importance of proactive planning, supportive housing, and learning from initiatives like California's Master Plan on Aging.
• A Call for Resilience & Hope: For overwhelmed caregivers, Sheena offers powerful advice: "Remain resilient, remain hopeful, remain positive because you are doing a noble and a great service". She encourages leveraging the "exponential resources" available from organizations like AARP and the National Council on Aging.
• The Power of Intergenerational Connections: Discover how intergenerational programs are making a real impact, fostering understanding and appreciation between different age groups. It's truly "awesome to have, see that interaction".

Don't miss out on this enlightening conversation that will shift your perspective on aging and technology! 👇

Listen to the full episode now and empower yourself with knowledge and inspiration! And remember, subscribe, share, and leave a review to help us reach more caregivers and changemakers around the world! 💖