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Real Life With The Older Americans Act: Daily Summaries Delivered
by NANASP & John A. Hartford Foundation
What does federal aging policy look like in everyday life? This podcast explores the real people and real communities that benefit from the Older Americans Act (OAA)—the nationwide law that supports older adults’ safety, independence and quality of life. OAA programs are the backbone of community-based services yet are often hidden in plain sight. As the U.S. population ages rapidly and caregiving needs grow, the services supported by the OAA have never mattered more for health, dignity and connection.Host Bob Blancato, nationally recognized leader and policy expert on aging, has spent decades shaping programs that improve the health, dignity and well-being of older adults. Bob and his stellar podcast guests bring unparalleled insights into how older adult programs and policies translate into real-world impact for older adults, families and communities across the country.Listen and learn from engaging policy experts, real-life participants and volunteers, and members of the aging
Latest Episodes
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- Yesterday50 min
Title 6: Programs for Native American Elders
In this episode of Real Life with the Older Americans Act, Bob Blancato and Edwin Walker explore Title VI of the Older Americans Act, the program that supports nutrition and other essential services for American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian elders. Congressman Tom Cole discusses the importance of these programs, their impact on healthy aging, and the federal commitment to Tribal communities. Native aging leaders Bill Benson and Registered Dietitian Heidi Wolzen share how Tribal organizations deliver culturally grounded services that incorporate traditional foods, language, and intergenerational activities while overcoming the unique challenges of serving remote communities and limited resources. The episode highlights how Title VI empowers Tribal Nations to design services that reflect their cultures, priorities, and traditions, helping Native elders remain healthy, independent and connected to their communities.
- Jun 10, 202634 min
Elder Justice: Preventing Physical, Psychological and Financial Abuse
THE ELDER JUSTICE COORDINATING COUNCIL's SOCIAL MEDIA TOOLKIT: Never Ever CampaignJune 15-26, 2026Personalize your messages with their Toolkit: https://bit.ly/EJCC26WIn this episode of Real Life with the Older Americans Act, hosts Bob Blancato and Edwin Walker explore the critical role of elder justice programs in protecting vulnerable older adults from abuse, neglect and exploitation. Through conversations with leaders from Tribal Adult Protective Services, the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, and the National Adult Protective Services Association, listeners learn how these programs empower older adults, respect self-determination and help individuals remain safely in their homes and communities whenever possible. Guests share real-world examples of restoring dignity, recovering stolen assets, resolving quality-of-life concerns in long-term care settings and using culturally responsive approaches to support tribal elders. The episode also highlights the importance of reauthorizing and adequately funding the Older Americans Act and Elder Justice Act to strengthen services that safeguard the rights, independence and well-being of older Americans.
- May 30, 20261h 0m
Champion your Health during Older Americans Month and Beyond
In this episode of Real Life with the Older Americans Act, we explore how Title IV programs promote health, independence, and longevity through evidence-based interventions that help older adults remain active and connected in their communities. Featuring perspectives from researchers, practitioners, volunteers, and participants, the episode highlights falls prevention, nutrition, social engagement, and the partnerships that transform research into real-world impact. Thank you to our guests:Carol Zernial (CEO, WellMed Foundation) and Anita Ramirez (volunteer, Doris Griffin Senior Center) - San Antonio TexasMatthew Smith (Professor) - Indiana University School of Public HealthStaff from Elder Services of Cape Cod and the Islands - Maryanne Ryan, Sarah Franey, Laura Cheesman, Dawn Ericson-Taylor, Dot Kingsbury and Gina Paglucia Morrison - and their partner at the Visiting Nurses Association - Meg Payne
- Apr 30, 202644 min
Health, Independence and Longevity
Join Bob and Edwin and learn from colleagues and experts during their visit the American Society on Aging's annual meeting in Atlanta. You'll hear from Leanne Clark-Shirley (American Society on Aging), Najja Orr (Philadelphia Corporation for Aging) and Jeffrey Klein (Nevada Senior Services) about how the Older Americans Act programs across the nation are vital to the health, independence and longevity of older adults. Our guests and ASA's Panel of Pundits* highlight innovative solutions to today's issues including the importance of family caregivers, the economy's impact on increasing waiting lists for services, creative aging workforce solutions and the economics of providing supportive services in the community.*Panel of Pundits: Edwin Walker (Retired Deputy Assistant Secretary for Aging, Administration on Aging); Joel White, Horizon Government Affairs, Council for Affordable Health Coverage; Jean Accius, Creating Healthier Communities; Lynn Faria, SAGE; Ramsey Alwin, National Council on Aging; and Jason Resendez, National Alliance for Caregiving.
- Mar 28, 202649 min
The Senior Nutrition Program
The Senior Nutrition Program serves millions of older adults through meals that nourish both body, mind and community. Discover how one of the most successful federal programs helps older adults live healthier, more connected lives. Featuring leaders from across the country, learn about how home-delivered meals and innovative wellness initiatives highlight why nutrition is about far more than food—and why the Older Americans Act must be reauthorized to sustain this impact.Links for further information about Suicide Intervention and Researchers who have pioneered its integration within the Senior Nutrition Program: https://livingworks.net/training/livingworks-asist/ https://livingworks.net/training/livingworks-safetalk/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-shannonhouse-ph-d-b487516a/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-fullen-68045225/
- Mar 5, 202645 min
Community Connections - The National Aging Network Puzzle Explained
In this inaugural episode, host Bob Blancato and co-host Edwin Walker bring together a powerhouse group of national leaders to explore the legacy and future of the Older Americans Act (OAA): Ramsey Alwin (National Council on Aging), Sandy Markwood (USAging), Josh Protas (Meals on Wheels America), and Martha Roherty (Advancing States) for a wide-ranging conversation on the history, structure, and real-world impact of the Older Americans Act. Together, they outline what reauthorization must deliver—modernization, equity, and funding at scale—so the OAA can meet the realities of a rapidly aging nation.
- Jan 12, 202640 min
Enduring Truths: The Older Americans Act
In this episode, we bring together a powerhouse group of national leaders to explore the legacy and future of the Older Americans Act (OAA): Edwin Walker, former Deputy Assistant Secretary for Aging; Ramsey Alwin, President and CEO of the National Council on Aging; Josh Protas, the Chief Advocacy Policy Officer of Meals on Wheels America; Sandy Markwood, CEO of USAging; and Martha Roherty, Executive Director of Advancing States. Together, they trace the history of the OAA and its transformative impact on the health, independence, and dignity of millions of older Americans. These experts reflect on how the Act built today’s aging network and why it remains a cornerstone of community-based support. The conversation then turns to what’s next, as each leader shares their priorities for the reauthorization of the OAA. From modernizing services and strengthening nutrition programs to addressing equity, ageism, and caregiver needs, they outline a bold vision for the future. Their insights reveal what it will take to ensure the OAA continues to meet the realities of aging in America. This episode offers both a master class in aging policy and a roadmap for the decades ahead.
About Real Life With The Older Americans Act
What does federal aging policy look like in everyday life? This podcast explores the real people and real communities that benefit from the Older Americans Act (OAA)—the nationwide law that supports older adults’ safety, independence and quality of life. OAA programs are the backbone of community-based services yet are often hidden in plain sight. As the U.S. population ages rapidly and caregiving needs grow, the services supported by the OAA have never mattered more for health, dignity and connection.Host Bob Blancato, nationally recognized leader and policy expert on aging, has spent decades shaping programs that improve the health, dignity and well-being of older adults. Bob and his stellar podcast guests bring unparalleled insights into how older adult programs and policies translate into real-world impact for older adults, families and communities across the country.Listen and learn from engaging policy experts, real-life participants and volunteers, and members of the aging
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