October 2026

Bringing awareness and resources to over 336 people and counting across Wisconsin! 

Check out the resources available at our newly launched Reframing Aging and Disability in Wisconsin website hosted by the Wisconsin Institute for Health Aging (WIHA).

“The most delightful surprises are the ones you never knew you wanted until they arrived.” — Anonymous

Wisconsin Reframing Wins (of all sizes!)

Wisconsin was invited to the Home and Community-Based Services Conference in Baltimore, MD in August to talk about how two states have implemented reframing differently. Helen Sampson shared Wisconsin’s approach and Jenna Crawley, Deputy Secretary Maryland Department on Aging talked about their work in Maryland. The panel was moderated by Kathy Greenlee, past Assistant Secretary for Aging appointed by President Obama and Trish D’Antonio, Executive Director of the National Center to Reframe Aging. It was fun to see how two different states took varied paths and are both finding success! The shared message was “do it your way but start”!

See an opportunity to tell an even more complete story? Let us know! We'd love to hear your ideas as we continue learning and improving together.

Champion's Spotlight "What's your Why?"

I went to one of those initial Reframing trainings in Stevens Point and I was like “this is interesting”. I was then asked to be on the advisory committee, representing the Aging and Disability Professionals Association of Wisconsin (ADPAW) and I’ve been a champion ever since. Staff at the Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) of Eau Claire County pay attention to our internal verbal and written communications, such as our newsletter. If I notice it elsewhere, I’m not afraid to comment. Recently I asked a local publication to reframe some of their language in a future article that wasn’t even about Reframing Aging and Disability. Afterwards they asked a lot of questions about reframing, which I gladly answered and then I sent them some information off the Reframing website and from our advisory group and they asked if they could write an article about it. 

Linda Struck, Director

ADRC of Eau Claire County

A more accurate and balanced story of aging and disability...

1. Sadly, Immortality Does Not Await You. 

Even if we eliminate every reversible aspect of aging, researchers say unavoidable DNA mutations could cap human life at roughly 146–194 years. Solve those mutations, though, and the mathematical models stretch the ceiling to an astonishing 1,759 years. Continue reading…

2. An Intergenerational Solution. 

When Marquette University students returned to campus in late August, most moved back into their dorm rooms or apartments just west of downtown Milwaukee. 

But five students moved into St. Camillus Life Plan Community, which offers older adult housing ranging from independent living to memory care to hospice. Continue reading…

3. Across the Pond, the Conversation is Growing.

While this report focuses on disability in Scotland, many of its recommendations closely align with Wisconsin's Reframing Aging & Disability movement. The authors encourage communicators to move beyond narratives of burden or vulnerability and instead use four strategies to create a more accurate and humanizing story:

• Humanize statistics by pairing facts with real stories and lived experiences.
• Build common ground by emphasizing our shared humanity and the idea that disability is part of life.
• Appeal to shared values such as fairness, dignity, respect, and justice.
• Show what's possible by focusing on solutions, inclusion, and the benefits of creating communities where everyone can participate and thrive.

Continue reading: Changing the Narrative About Disabled People in Scotland Today

We're all in this together!

1. Calling All FRAMERS! The Community of Practice is here for mutual support!

• 4th Wednesday of the month from 2 – 3 pm
• The community of practice is a safe place for support, advice and to practice reframing. Do you have a document, PowerPoint, speech, etc. you are working on and want to get some input for age and disability productive framing? 
• Some people attend regularly. Others just come when they want advice or to listen. We are all learning together! 

2. Sharing is caring! Have you reframed something you’d be willing to share for the newsletter? A response to a situation? A grant application, PSA or newsletter article? When we model for each other, “the rising tide lifts all the boats". 

Please reach out to Jenna Sturgis (jenna.sturgis@dhs.wisconsin.gov) or Helen Sampson (helen.sampson@dhs.wisconsin.gov) if you are interested in attending the Community of Practice, or sharing any examples of reframing.

Learning Opportunities

Free training from the National Center for Reframing Aging will begin on December 2, 2026 and continue throughout 2027!

A Generation’s Work: Introduction to Reframing Aging

• This one-hour virtual presentation introduces evidence-based communication strategies to reframe aging and demonstrates how changing the narrative about aging transforms support for people across the lifespan.
• December 2, 2026, at 3 - 4 pm
• Register

Look for more of reframing sessions coming in 2027!

If you want to go fast, go alone.

If you want to go far, go together.

-African Proverb

Questions? Contact Helen Sampson, Public Policy Strategist with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.

Frame on! From the Reframing Project Management Team,



Carrie Molke, Bureau of Aging and Disability Resources (BADR); Jill Renken, Wisconsin Institute for Healthy Aging (WIHA); Helen Sampson, BADR; Amber Mullet, BADR; Jenna Sturgis, BADR; Emily Petersen and Donna Rosner, Greater Wisconsin Agency on Aging Resources (GWAAR)