It’s not surprising that one of the most compelling discussions I heard at the 2025 NIC Fall Conference followed the screening of the award-winning film, “Familiar Touch.” Familiar Touch is the rare film that portrays aging and dementia with honesty, nuance and care, and we were fortunate to have a session that featured three panelists […]
https://www.nexusinsights.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/FAMILIAR-TOUCH-for-blog.jpg6281200Robert Kramerhttps://www.nexusinsights.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/nexus-logo-reverse-296x92-1.pngRobert Kramer2025-11-10 17:23:592025-11-10 17:23:59What ‘Familiar Touch’ Can Teach Us About Dementia and Aging
Actress Helen Mirren made news recently with her visceral reaction to murmurs of “Awwwww” and “Isn’t that cute?” when she and her husband, both in their 80s, hold hands in public. “It’s like, excuse my language: ‘F*%$ off,’ ” she said during a recent promotional appearance. “There’s something very condescending about some people’s attitudes, and […]
We desperately need a new narrative about aging in the United States. Why? Perhaps the biggest reason is that it will create opportunities to address some of our country’s most pressing problems. I was happy to have the chance to describe these opportunities during my talk last summer at the Senior Living Innovation Forum (SLIF) […]
https://www.nexusinsights.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/slif-talk-2025-blog.jpg6281280Robert Kramerhttps://www.nexusinsights.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/nexus-logo-reverse-296x92-1.pngRobert Kramer2025-09-21 16:37:072025-09-21 16:37:07A New Narrative of Aging Can Solve Big Problems
At a certain age, we all start to notice people sprinkling “elderspeak” into their conversations with us. 👉 At the grocery store: “Hey sweetie, let me help you find that.” 👉 On a customer service call: “I see we need help with the silly remote control.” 👉 In a caregiving setting: “It’s time for your […]
https://www.nexusinsights.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/elderspeak-blog.jpeg6281200Robert Kramerhttps://www.nexusinsights.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/nexus-logo-reverse-296x92-1.pngRobert Kramer2025-09-18 18:26:502025-09-18 18:26:50Why ‘Elderspeak’ Is Demeaning and Dehumanizing
I can’t believe I have to say this: Aging is not a disease. You might have seen the same Wall Street Journal story that I did earlier this year, raising the question in its headline: “The Scientific Fight Over Whether Aging Is a Disease.” Initially, I was appalled — anyone who considers aging a disease […]
https://www.nexusinsights.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/wsj-aging-as-disease-illustration-blog.jpg366700Robert Kramerhttps://www.nexusinsights.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/nexus-logo-reverse-296x92-1.pngRobert Kramer2025-03-25 14:50:312025-07-21 15:03:01No, Aging Is Not a Disease
“They don’t have a friggin’ clue.” That’s how Dr. Joe Coughlin, director of the MIT AgeLab, described Baby Boomers and Gen Xers during our joint session at the 2025 NIC Spring Conference. To be fair, it wasn’t a blanket condemnation of the two generations that are so important to senior housing and aging services providers. […]
https://www.nexusinsights.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/bob-joe-coughlin-session-nic-spring-conf-2025-for-blog.jpg6801200Robert Kramerhttps://www.nexusinsights.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/nexus-logo-reverse-296x92-1.pngRobert Kramer2025-03-19 16:02:592025-06-24 16:06:52Senior Living and the Need for a New Narrative About Aging
Joel Theisen caught my attention recently by writing that, in order to truly thrive, older adults “need to move beyond the well-planned life to add something unexpected: personal risk.” I’m with Joel on this. To me, adding (or maintaining) an element of risk in our later years is about a vital feeling of personal agency. […]
https://www.nexusinsights.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/senior-surfing-blog.jpeg6281200Robert Kramerhttps://www.nexusinsights.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/nexus-logo-reverse-296x92-1.pngRobert Kramer2025-03-05 09:13:082025-04-23 09:18:29Why Seniors Need Some Risk in Their Lives
In the senior housing and care industry’s current state, supply is not going to meet demand any time soon. The need for our services is growing quickly, fueled by the demographics of an aging society. The cost of building new communities and providing the services is growing quickly, too, as construction remains expensive and labor […]
https://www.nexusinsights.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/construction-site-for-blog-2.jpeg6281200Robert Kramerhttps://www.nexusinsights.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/nexus-logo-reverse-296x92-1.pngRobert Kramer2025-01-30 14:10:012025-04-08 14:21:43How Will We Meet Rising Demand for Senior Housing? We Have to Innovate.
“What we’ve done with these longer lives is to basically make them fit into our existing life-course ideas, so the only stage of life that actually got longer is old age.” That’s a quote from Laura Carstensen in a Q&A in The Wall Street Journal that brilliantly captures the present situation for older adults. American […]
https://www.nexusinsights.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/lonely-woman-on-bed-for-blog.jpeg6281200Robert Kramerhttps://www.nexusinsights.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/nexus-logo-reverse-296x92-1.pngRobert Kramer2025-01-18 13:38:112025-04-08 13:44:05Changing the Perception of What ‘Old Age’ Means — And What Older People Can Contribute
Have you noticed: • When funding for programs for young people is debated, we talk about “investing in our children.” • When the defense budget is under consideration, we talk about “investing in national security.” • But when subsidies for long-term care and other benefits for older adults are part of a government spending debate, […]
https://www.nexusinsights.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/senior-student-for-blog.jpeg6281200Robert Kramerhttps://www.nexusinsights.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/nexus-logo-reverse-296x92-1.pngRobert Kramer2025-01-03 17:10:322025-02-21 17:17:31Why Aren’t We Investing In Our New Stage of Life?
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What ‘Familiar Touch’ Can Teach Us About Dementia and Aging
/in Aging, Dementia/by Robert KramerIt’s not surprising that one of the most compelling discussions I heard at the 2025 NIC Fall Conference followed the screening of the award-winning film, “Familiar Touch.” Familiar Touch is the rare film that portrays aging and dementia with honesty, nuance and care, and we were fortunate to have a session that featured three panelists […]
Helen Mirren and Society’s Condescending, Negative Attitude Toward Aging
/in Ageism, Aging, Longevity/by Robert KramerActress Helen Mirren made news recently with her visceral reaction to murmurs of “Awwwww” and “Isn’t that cute?” when she and her husband, both in their 80s, hold hands in public. “It’s like, excuse my language: ‘F*%$ off,’ ” she said during a recent promotional appearance. “There’s something very condescending about some people’s attitudes, and […]
A New Narrative of Aging Can Solve Big Problems
/in Ageism, Aging, Longevity/by Robert KramerWe desperately need a new narrative about aging in the United States. Why? Perhaps the biggest reason is that it will create opportunities to address some of our country’s most pressing problems. I was happy to have the chance to describe these opportunities during my talk last summer at the Senior Living Innovation Forum (SLIF) […]
Why ‘Elderspeak’ Is Demeaning and Dehumanizing
/in Ageism, Caregiving/by Robert KramerAt a certain age, we all start to notice people sprinkling “elderspeak” into their conversations with us. 👉 At the grocery store: “Hey sweetie, let me help you find that.” 👉 On a customer service call: “I see we need help with the silly remote control.” 👉 In a caregiving setting: “It’s time for your […]
No, Aging Is Not a Disease
/in Ageism, Aging, Longevity/by Robert KramerI can’t believe I have to say this: Aging is not a disease. You might have seen the same Wall Street Journal story that I did earlier this year, raising the question in its headline: “The Scientific Fight Over Whether Aging Is a Disease.” Initially, I was appalled — anyone who considers aging a disease […]
Senior Living and the Need for a New Narrative About Aging
/in Caregiving, Longevity, Senior Living Industry/by Robert Kramer“They don’t have a friggin’ clue.” That’s how Dr. Joe Coughlin, director of the MIT AgeLab, described Baby Boomers and Gen Xers during our joint session at the 2025 NIC Spring Conference. To be fair, it wasn’t a blanket condemnation of the two generations that are so important to senior housing and aging services providers. […]
Why Seniors Need Some Risk in Their Lives
/in Longevity, Senior Living Industry/by Robert KramerJoel Theisen caught my attention recently by writing that, in order to truly thrive, older adults “need to move beyond the well-planned life to add something unexpected: personal risk.” I’m with Joel on this. To me, adding (or maintaining) an element of risk in our later years is about a vital feeling of personal agency. […]
How Will We Meet Rising Demand for Senior Housing? We Have to Innovate.
/in Housing, Senior Living Industry/by Robert KramerIn the senior housing and care industry’s current state, supply is not going to meet demand any time soon. The need for our services is growing quickly, fueled by the demographics of an aging society. The cost of building new communities and providing the services is growing quickly, too, as construction remains expensive and labor […]
Changing the Perception of What ‘Old Age’ Means — And What Older People Can Contribute
/in Ageism, Longevity/by Robert Kramer“What we’ve done with these longer lives is to basically make them fit into our existing life-course ideas, so the only stage of life that actually got longer is old age.” That’s a quote from Laura Carstensen in a Q&A in The Wall Street Journal that brilliantly captures the present situation for older adults. American […]
Why Aren’t We Investing In Our New Stage of Life?
/in Ageism, Long-Term Care, Longevity, Policy/by Robert KramerHave you noticed: • When funding for programs for young people is debated, we talk about “investing in our children.” • When the defense budget is under consideration, we talk about “investing in national security.” • But when subsidies for long-term care and other benefits for older adults are part of a government spending debate, […]