Episode Details

Linda Sherman began our August 11, 2026 News for the Ages by Rethinking Aging Club podcast episode with a discussion of the Global Wellness Institute's report on advertising to older adults, highlighting the industry's failure to effectively target the 60+ demographic. In our discussion we mentioned that perhaps there is ageism in the advertising agencies, even at the top. One key finding of the report is the suggestion for brands to focus on experiences rather than aging issues.
Interesting thought from Ellen Khalifa suggesting that a surge of input from those of us over 55 putting content into the reach of AI LLMs might create a shift that changes our importance for attention.

Benjamin Surmi presented “ghost” trends in senior housing marketing. Always great to get Benjamin’s senior living perspective because his experience is so deep. 

Debbie Howard brought us geriatric emergency departments, which reduce hospital admissions and costs by 39% and 38%, respectively, and save Medicare up to $3,000 per visit. The team stressed the importance of better training and representation for older adults in healthcare settings. Benjamin Surmi shared with us his warning to families as they begin their journey of having a loved one in memory care or even senior living that they must accompany or provide an advocate caregiver to accompany their loved one if they need to go to the ER. They should never be in an ER alone.

Presented by Linda Sherman, former CEO/CMO, multinational subsidiaries in Japan; Managing Editor, Boomer Tech Talk
Global Wellness Institute July 2026 Report on Advertising Perspectives on Aging Well campaigns led by Dave McCaughan
https://www.internationalistmagazine.com/the-audience-marketing-forgot-to-put-in-the-brief/
The Report

Dave McCaughan followed up with: "This report was one of a series and was indeed focused on creative directors from ad agencies. One thing that we of course learned was that you cannot really blame the ad agencies for ALL the issues. As a number told me when I pushed them .. if clients do not give them briefs to target over 60s they don't get paid so one big issue is getting actual clients to both understand targeting over 60s is of real value and also to provide better briefs to their agencies including better information about people over 60."

Presented by Benjamin Surmi, Social Gerontologist and Senior Living Expert, VP Arvo.care, Advisor to Koelsch Communities   
Senior Housing News Marketing Trends 8-10-26 by Austin Montgomery
https://seniorhousingnews.com/2026/08/10/how-senior-living-ghost-trends-are-shaping-the-future/

Presented by Debbie Howard, Caregiver Advocate, Co-founder, Living Best
NY Times 7-25-26 Geriatric Emergency Departments
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/25/well/geriatric-emergency-departments.html

“Since 2017, the American College of Emergency Physicians has accredited 624 such geriatric emergency departments across the United States, including 73 in Veterans Affairs medical centers. “A fairly exponential rate of growth,” said Dr. Kevin Biese, the emergency doctor who directs the Geriatric Emergency Department Collaborative.”

ACEP’s Geriatric Emergency Department Accreditation (GEDA) program