And my hope is that in avoiding simple stories and telling ones as close to the truth as we can get, we help show aging not as something we want to avoid at all costs as individuals, but as a process we're all collectively experiencing and can improve for one another.

My name is Holly Elser.

I'm a fellow in the Penn Memory Center right now, and in July I'll be starting a faculty position at the Penn Memory Center and at the Philadelphia VA.

The essay that most stood out to me within this collection is entitled Supportive Housing as a Promising Practice for People with Dementia by Ian Johnson.

And the essay begins by framing a problem that is well known to any practitioner who cares for persons with dementia.

Remaining at home, rather than in a dementia care or other nursing facility, is the overwhelming preference among people with dementia and their caregivers.

But continuing to live with family members presents challenges related to symptom management, safety, and also social connectedness.

First, can you translate that for me?

Yeah, absolutely.

So as you mentioned, my academic training is in epidemiology.

Epidemiology is the study of the determinants and distribution of diseases and populations.

In other words, my scientific expertise is really in study design and the application of statistical tools to answer questions about disease.

hopefully modifiable drivers of diseases.

And over the course of my career, which hasn't been that long, I've been fortunate enough to think about sort of a wide range of potential modifiable exposures.

of your