Living a Longer, Healthier Life
The 4th annual Longevity Summit, “The Future of Medicine: Eliminating Diseases of Aging,” is taking place December 9-10 at the Buck Institute for Research on Aging in Novato, CA. Speakers will be sharing advancements in the longevity field, with representatives from biotech companies, hospitals, investment firms, and academic institutions. The program is both in-person and online. Learn more and register by following the link below.
Alzheimer's Affects 50M to 400M Worldwide But a Recent Study Offers Hope
The science journal Nature published research recently that shows a strong connection between lithium loss and Alzheimer's. When lithium—which occurs naturally in the brain—becomes depleted, it accelerates the formation of amyloid-beta plaques and structures and gives way to inflammatory cells in the brain. But researchers found that the use of lithium orotate helped reverse disease-related effects and restore memory function. Read what Harvard Medical School has to say about the subject.
The Emerging Science of Healthspan
Join Mount Sinai medical experts for an online conversation on “Protocols for Living Better, Not Just Longer: The Science Behind Longevity and Healthspan.” Part of 92NY’s Spark Your Health Talk Series, the program will take place November 5th at 7pm ET. Read more about the virtual event and register by following the link below.
Grey Matters 10.29.25
Hello Friend,
Happy Halloween to those who observe. Okay, who’s not dressing up as a member of the Louvre heist crew? And with that, welcome to the inaugural edition of our newsletter, Grey Matters! First, thank you for subscribing and joining Geritas….
It’s a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood
In 2023, a former U.S. Surgeon General declared loneliness an epidemic, noting that social connection is as critical to good health and longevity as exercise and nutrition. While loneliness is most often associated with older adults, the epidemic impacts people of all ages. San Francisco’s “Meet Six Neighbors,” part of a statewide initiative to strengthen social networks, challenges individuals to connect with six nearby neighbors. It’s an idea that can be implemented in any and every neighborhood, and across all age groups. A focus on intergenerational friendships would be great, too. Read more about the program in the SF Chron.
Doing Good Is Good For You
In addition to serving your community, new research found that volunteering can serve you, as well, particularly in retirement. Learn how to find an opportunity that aligns with your passions, skills, and schedule.
The Lowdown on Longevity Supplements
Experts split anti-aging supplements into two categories: traditional and emerging.
The upshot: There is little scientific evidence to support either avenue, although most doctors are comfortable prescribing conventional vitamins such as D and B12, if they deem a patient deficient. However, the medical community urges caution when it comes to experimental supplements, even as some professionals believe the industry holds promise.
A surprise twist: While the subject of supplements can be divisive, all experts agree that exercise is the only proven option for stemming or reversing epigenetic (alterations at the cellular level) aging.
Let’s Talk About Ageism
Ageism Awareness Day is October 9th. Two ways you can combat ageism:
Strengthen intergenerational bonds, helping people to see beyond stereotypes.
Be mindful of language, avoiding phrases such as “anti-aging” and diminutives like “honey” or “sweetie.”
Find resources and more information at the link below.
HIIT and Its Impact on Cancer
A new study shows that even a single session of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) can combat cancer on multiple levels. Scientists found that strenuous exercise produced specific proteins, known as myokines, which positively impact immune responses and inflammation. Furthermore, the research suggests that HIIT not only has the potential to impede the development of cancer, but can also improve survival rates. Read more about the results by following the link below.
Meet Jenness Brewer
From her upbringing in rural Connecticut, to the executive hallways of NY and LA, and now back to bucolic environs, Jenness Brewer’s latest act is the culmination of all that came before. She brings her love of land, art, fellowship, and family together in beautiful and unexpected ways.
Nuns on the Run
A somewhat lighthearted look at a serious issue: Where do you live when you’re old? Read the New York Times piece.
The Cost of Care
Join the American Society on Aging for a conversation with Kristin Dahlquist, DSW, MPH and Lakelyn Eichenberger, PhD on planning for the costs of long-term care. This is particularly important as proposed cuts in Medicaid funding could place a significant financial burden on states and individuals. Sign up below for the free webinar on October 1.
The Unstoppable June Squibb
June Squibb, 95, knows how to play to her age–and defy it. Last week, I saw a screening of her new movie Eleanor the Great, directed by Scarlett Johansson. Squibb plays Eleanor, a 94-year-old woman living in Florida, who loses her best friend and is then pressured into moving back to New York City to live with her daughter, played by Jessica Hecht.
As she wrestles with the dueling factors of being treated like an incapable old woman by her daughter while still, as she puts it, feeling like the same person she’s always been, she stumbles on an unconventional way to memorialize her dear friend, which stirs up a bit of trouble.
Along the way, the movie shines a light on the beauty and mutual benefits of intergenerational friendships.
Squibb, who has no plans to retire, (you might remember her from the movie Thelma in 2024) will also be hitting the stage on Broadway in December, starring alongside Cynthia Nixon in Marjorie Prime. Learn more about Squibb’s career at E!News.
Only in America
In this poignant, personal essay, WSJ writer Katie Roiphe details the beauty and banality of having her nearly 90-year-old mother move in with her. She notes that only in America would this decision be considered shocking, unlike “in India say or Italy, where generations crowd together into a single household.” Roiphe tenderly describes a universal fear/truth of aging in America. Well worth a read.
MIT Age Simulation Suit Replicates the Effects of Aging
AGNES, which stands for Age Gain Now Empathy System, is a suit designed by MIT AgeLab to teach people how to prepare for what it’s like to grow older. Not likely to hit the fashionista lists, the suit features weights and other components that mimic what it feels like to lose muscle mass, range of motion and mobility, balance, and even vision.
What We’re Watching
“No Country for Old People: a Nursing Home Expose” is a harrowing, heartbreaking, and haunting account of the abject failure of the nursing home care system. Filmmaker Susie Singer Carter chronicles her mother’s last six months in a facility and draws on experts and advocates to shed light on why the system is failing. The three-part docuseries is available on Amazon Prime. Watch a news clip about the film at the link below.
7 Challenges Facing America's Aging Population
At the 2025 meeting of the Population Association of America, aging experts identified 7 major trends impacting the health and lifespans of older Americans. Three that stood out to us: 1. More Americans are living with chronic diseases later in life, despite advances in healthcare. The solution may involve focusing on wellness in early childhood and adolescence. 2. Robust social networks are absolutely critical to lifespan. 3. Climate crises and extreme weather disproportionately impact older adults, increasing physical, social, and financial vulnerability.
The speakers also specified several promising areas for future research.
We’re In This Together
Eleven women, all single and aged 60-80, have banded together for company, community, and caregiving. The Bird’s Nest, located in East Texas, is an intentional village of individual tiny homes, along with common gathering areas. As we age, this type of compound, reminiscent of college culture, is a popular topic among many of our female friends. Although in our version, boys may be allowed, too.
Leveraging Aging
Forbes 2025 “50 Over 50” list celebrates women who are seeing their greatest impact in the second half of their lives. The annual roster features innovators, entrepreneurs, investors, and inventors. As Forbes notes, these women “are using the wisdom and confidence earned from age to leave the world better than they found it.” See who’s on the list.
Learn about the Strategies that Lead to Happiness in Later Years
Tomorrow! Join the Stanford Center on Longevity for “A Conversation with Kerry Burnight,” author of “Joyspan. The Art and Science of Thriving in Life’s Second Half.” The webinar will take place August 12, 2025 at 12:00 PM Pacific Time. Register through the link below.