Creating an Impact Nationwide | | |
Across the country, organizations and advocates at the local, state, and national level are using the tools of the National Center to Reframe Aging to improve the way they communicate about aging. We are pleased to share their success stories to inspire you to take action today. Our newest stories feature the Maryland Department of Aging and the Pennsylvania Department of Aging.
Maryland Department of Aging (MDOA) made reframing the foundation of its strategic plan and is now leading the way into the longevity era. Before Maryland could create its first 10-year multisector plan, MDOA engaged the National Center to Reframe Aging to educate communicators from across state agencies on the principles to reframe aging. Working with the National Center to Reframe Aging equipped Maryland with a well-framed multisector plan, Longevity Ready Maryland, a toolbox of resources to reframe aging, and framing partners across state government. Learn more about their work here.
Pennsylvania is engaging leaders across the state at all levels, from the Governor’s Office to local Area Agencies on Aging, to improve how Pennsylvanians think about, talk about, and value older people. What began by ensuring a well-framed Multisector Plan on Aging, Aging Our Way, PA, has set the stage for the much broader scope needed to truly transform systems. Building on this work, PDA and the National Center to Reframe Aging announced a new collaborative effort to reframe communications about Pennsylvania’s 400+ Senior Community Centers (SCCs) and emphasize their role as vital spaces for older people to be active, connected, and valued. Scroll down to learn more about Phase 1 of this report. Learn more about the partnership creating a model for other states to follow as we transform systems and build better communities for all.
Reach out to us at reframingaging@geron.org to join in and learn how can you leverage strategic efforts to reset the tone about aging and older people in your communities.
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New: Responding to Opinion Pieces Toolkit
Part of improving attitudes towards aging is supporting journalists in applying the principles to reframe aging. Many of us encounter ageist remarks and articles in the media but are unsure how to respond most productively. Most recently, the New York Times published the opinion video “Thanks a Lot, Boomers” which highlights real frustrations; however, it oversimplifies complex issues by assigning collective blame to one generation. As we prepare a sign-on letter in response, our team also wants to equip you with tools to address this video and other media pieces that portray aging in similar ways.
The National Center to Reframe Aging developed the Responding to Opinion Pieces Toolkit to pave the way for us all to answer constructively. In this toolkit, you will find talking points, advice on writing a letter to the editor in response to an article, a quick start guide to reframe aging with tips on how to apply the principles to reframe aging, and a webinar archive on how to apply these tips to maximize audience reach.
| | Missed the Webinar? Recordings Are Now Live! | | |
Framing Our Lived Expertise: Telling Stories of Ageism to Inspire Change webinar recording is now available. Watch the recording to learn how to talk about lived experience in ways that raise awareness and inspire action.
| | The Reframing Aging in Multisector Plans: Strategies for Impact webinar recording is now available. Leaders from Maryland, Pennsylvania, and the Center for Health Care Strategies share how they are using strategies to reframe aging to make MPAs stronger and more effective in this recording. | |
National Center to Reframe Aging Partners with the Maine Council on Aging to Host the Leadership Exchange on Ageism
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The National Center to Reframe Aging is partnering with the Maine Council on Aging (MCOA) to host a special cohort of the Leadership Exchange on Ageism (LEA), a program for leaders to enhance their understanding of ageism and develop strategies to eliminate it. This program offers participants the opportunity to learn from each other, transform their thinking about aging, and connect to proven communication strategies designed to build support for policies and programs that support us all as we age. This partnership is supported by The John A. Hartford Foundation. Learn more about the partnership here.
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Gerontological Society of America’s Annual Scientific Meeting
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Our team is looking forward to participating in the Gerontological Society of America’s (GSA) Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) in Boston, Massachusetts, November 12–15.
We invite you to register for our workshop, “The Fundamentals to Reframe Aging: Harnessing Data to Tell a More Complete Story About Aging” on November 14. This workshop will provide a foundational understanding of the evidence-based principles to reframe aging and explore the critical role data plays in shaping public perceptions about aging. Please note that meeting registration is not required to attend the workshop, which has a separate $45 registration fee. Space is limited, click here to sign up for the workshop today to secure your spot.
Download a list of sessions featuring principles to reframe aging from the National Center to Reframe Aging, or visit us for a digital version of this list.
Our team will also be exhibiting at booth 410—stop by to visit and learn about the latest from the National Center to Reframe Aging! Let’s connect and share the great work you’re doing to advance the movement to reframe aging.
See you in Boston!
| | Photographed left to right: Renee Cunningham, Executive Director, Center in the Park and President, PA Association of Senior Centers; Nathan Lampenfeld, Special Assistant, Pennsylvania Department of Aging; Hannah Albers, Director of Program Development, National Center to Reframe Aging; Gabrielle Szymanski, Special Advisor to the PA Secretary of Aging, Pennsylvania Department of Aging | |
Reframing Communications About Senior Community Centers: Phase 1 Report Released
As referenced above, the Pennsylvania Department of Aging (PDA), in partnership with the National Center to Reframe Aging, has released the Phase 1 report from their effort to increase awareness of and participation in Senior Community Centers (SCCs).
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Caravan Poll Results: The Importance of Sharing
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Last month, in recognition of Ageism Awareness Day, we conducted a poll to better understand how ageism shows up in daily life and how people choose to share their experiences. We learned that ageism is reality for most of us: 90% of respondents said they’ve personally experienced discrimination based on their age.
Even so, many choose to keep those moments to themselves. More than half of respondents say they only talk about ageism with family or friends. 1% feel comfortable sharing publicly on social media, and 15% don’t share their experience at all.
When we do choose to speak up to advocate for change, how we tell these stories matters. Personal stories are powerful tools for building understanding, but effective framing makes a difference in helping audiences see ageism not as isolated experiences, but as an issue we can address together. Frames that emphasize solutions, reinforce individual agency, and show older people as active contributors in our communities will drive change.
If you’re ready, we encourage you to tell your story to inspire action. Check out the Framing Our Lived Expertise: Telling Stories of Ageism to Inspire Change webinar recording to learn more about tips to effectively frame your lived expertise today!
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Our team has been busy spreading the word about how we can all reframe aging! Here are some highlights:
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The National Center to Reframe Aging team attended the Grantmakers in Aging (GIA) Annual Conference, October 21–24, in Long Beach, CA. Congratulations to the speakers at the GIA conference who joined our Strategies to Reframe Aging: Conference Presentation on September 12. Their presentations highlighted the power of using reframed messaging to improve attitudes towards aging.
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On October 22, our team joined the Pennsylvania Association of Senior Centers (PASC) Annual Conference. Each fall senior center leaders from every region of the Commonwealth gather to exchange best practices, hear from state and national experts, and strengthen the network that is moving Pennsylvania senior centers forward. We were honored to join the Pennsylvania Department of Aging to share findings from our Phase 1 work in the project to improve communications about Senior Community Centers.
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The National Center to Reframe Aging and the Gerontological Society of America (GSA) teamed up to spread the word about new resources at the American Public Health Association’s 2025 Annual Meeting and Expo in Washington, D.C. Trish D’Antonio also presented on Changing Minds, Changing Communities: The Role of Messaging in Age-Friendly Initiatives to leaders in the public health field.
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Our team will be attending this year's Institute for Healthcare Improvement Forum (IHI) December 7- 10 in Anaheim, CA. The IHI Forum is the epicenter of quality improvement in health care, bringing together over 3,500 health care leaders who share a passion for driving real-world change to save lives and prevent harm. We will see you in the exhibit hall at booth 220 with tools to reframe aging in healthcare!
| | | Each month, we highlight articles and podcasts that are fueling our conversations about aging. Explore this month’s picks below: | | |
As ageism evolves, Taipei’s respect for elders fades away
Asia Times
By: Aileen Chung
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9 Ageism Affects Healthcare
Nevada Today
By: Krystal Pyatt
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Caregiving in the US 2025: Caring Across States
AARP
By: AARP & National Alliance for Caregiving
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The National Center to Reframe Aging is pleased to spotlight these framing announcements from members of the Caravan:
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Each November, National Family Caregivers Month recognizes and honors family and friend caregivers. The John A. Hartford Foundation joins the Caregiver Action Network, the Administration for Community Living, grantees and other partners in the month-long campaign to raise awareness of caregiving issues, educate communities, show recent progress and increase support for the more than 63 million caregivers across the country. Learn more here.
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In recognition of National Family Caregivers Month, the National Center on Elder Abuse, USC Family Caregiver Support Center, and Hollywood, Health & Society are hosting a webinar to highlight the power of storytelling to explore and elevate caregiving relationships in media. Audience’s attitudes are shaped by the stories they consume - whether through television, film, social media, or literature. Too often, nuances of caregiving and related challenges are not portrayed or inaccurately depicted in popular culture. This webinar is designed for caregivers, older adults, service providers, and media and elder justice professionals and will delve into why these stories matter, how they influence public perceptions, and how they can be used to increase awareness of resources for safe and supportive caregiving. Register today!
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Be Featured in Caravan
Share your framing wins with the National Center to Reframe Aging to be featured in the next edition of the Caravan Newsletter!
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