Israel Cross, an officer in the United States Public Health Service, has devoted his career to improving the lives of older adults from a policy level. He discusses the most pressing challenges facing older adults, including financial security, caregiver support, access to technology, and the dangers of climate change..

About Israel

LCDR Israel Cross is a gerontologist and a dedicated United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps officer with over fifteen years of experience. He is celebrated for his interdisciplinary approach to improving the quality of life for vulnerable populations, particularly older adults. Cross's collaborative efforts with professionals from healthcare, health information technology, and community engagement have been instrumental in elevating the standards of care for the populations he serves. His work is deeply rooted in addressing health equity, with a focus on the intersection of older adult health, caregiving, and climate change.

As a passionate advocate for older adult health and caregiving, Cross is committed to ensuring equitable access to healthcare and improving the well-being of underserved communities. His expertise and dedication make him a valuable asset in advancing health equity initiatives and driving meaningful progress in addressing the complex challenges facing aging populations. He is a certified dementia practitioner and holds an aging-in-place and home modification certification from University of Southern California.

Key Takeaways

• The most pressing multigenerational challenges of aging are financial security, caregiver support, access to technology, and the dangers of climate change. Currently, there are not enough policies that support economic security in later life. Older adults often lack adequate retirement savings, posing a significant challenge for multiple generations.
• The Latin phrase "cogito ergo sum" means "I think, therefore I am." Thinking about yourself positively as you age can have a significant impact.
• There is a shift from social determinants of health to social drivers of health. The term "determinants" implies a sense of finality, stripping people of their agency to manage their own health care and well-being. The principle of “Nothing about us without us” emphasizes the importance of involving people in decisions that affect their lives.
• The critical intersection of climate change and aging relates to health equity. Older adults are most likely to be left behind during disasters. During Hurricane Katrina, over 70% of those who died were over 65. In the California wildfires in 2018, over 85% of those who died were over 80. In Hurricane Florence, over two-thirds of those who died were over 60. During the 2023 Hawaii fires, over 70% of those who died were over 60.

Rob Liebreich, CEO and President of Goodwin Living, discusses why the 60-year-old faith-based not-for-profit organization is a provider of choice, employer of choice, and champion of social good. Learn how Goodwin Livings complimentary Stronger Memory program has positively impacted tens of thousands of lives by improving brain health in three simple steps.

About Rob

Robert “Rob” Liebreich started his service as President and CEO of Goodwin Living in July 2019. He brings energy, compassion and a creative drive, as well as proven leadership in senior living for over 20 years.

Prior to joining Goodwin Living, Rob was the executive director of the Asbury Methodist Village (AMV), a 1400 person not-for-profit continuing care retirement community in Maryland. He has also held senior positions in marketing and operations for senior living organizations in the Washington-Baltimore metropolitan area and the Pacific Northwest.

Rob studied Business Administration and International Business and Marketing at Georgetown University and graduated 1997. He earned a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Senior Care and Housing from Johns Hopkins University in 2005. Rob is a Certified Dementia Practitioner, and his other passions include his family, travel, mentoring and brain health.

Key Takeaways

• Goodwin Living offers complimentary educational and career path opportunities for team members—80 to 100 team members every year work on future educational goals, with Goodwin Living taking on hundreds of thousands of school debt.
• Goodwin Living's diverse team of 1,200 members represents over 65 different countries of origin, with a quarter of the team not holding U.S. citizenship. The Goodwin Living Foundation has supported more than 160 team members to become citizens, pairing them with resident mentors to study for the exam.
• A study from Japan shows that reading aloud, writing by hand, and doing simple math problems quickly on a consistent basis levels cognitive decline and, in many cases, improves brain function. Early interventions hold off the need for care.
• Stronger Memory clears the brain pathways by engaging the brain’s prefrontal cortex and hippocampus, which improves the “working memory” and improves the processing of information, based on research from George Mason University.

Jean Hartnett, MHSA, NHA, CDP, YTT, C.N.A., talks about her move from CEO of the largest nursing home in Nebraska to founding Radical Sabbatical, supporting individuals and senior living communities on their paths to healing.

About Jean

Jean Hartnett is a visionary health care leader with more than 30 years of executive experience serving the older adult population. She holds a master’s in health services administration, is a Certified Dementia Practitioner, a Certified Yoga Instructor, and a Certified Nursing Assistant.

Ms. Hartnett is an expert in trauma-informed care and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and founded Radical Sabbatical to help others turn past adversity into self-advocacy. With a deep understanding of the profound effects trauma can have on development and well-being, Jean brings a compassionate, evidence-based approach to support individuals and communities on their healing journey.

Key Takeaways

• Trauma informed is an approach that can be applied to resident’s and staff in senior living. Practitioners must view the individual through the lens of why they act a certain way, not simply their behaviors. All behavior has meaning.

• Adverse childhood experiences impact an individual’s entire life, including their older adult years.

• Moving into senior living can lead to trauma resurfacing because the coping mechanisms that have provided emotional support throughout an older adult’s life may be cut off.

• Medicare-eligible older adults spend fifty calendar days in clinical environments that are not hospitals. That includes physician, physical therapy and occupational therapy, and other specialists.