Aging Together // Unfiltered
TL;DR: A podcast for adult children of aging parents and family caregivers who want honest, no-fluff conversations about aging, care, and caregiving. We talk about what’s working, what’s broken, and what needs to change—without sugarcoating or euphemisms.
Aging Together // Unfiltered explores the real challenges and hard decisions families face as they support aging loved ones. Hosted by Dr. Pooja A. Patel—a double-board certified occupational therapist and gerontologist, and longtime caregiver advocate—this show moves beyond “proper” conversations and into the realities families are navigating every day.
After four seasons of carefully curated, polished discussions, this podcast is now intentionally unfiltered. Not for shock value, but because polite language hasn’t fixed broken systems—or made caregiving easier. Our elders and their families don’t need softer words. They need better care, clearer information, and honest conversations that lead to action.
Each episode features clinicians, caregivers, innovators, and leaders who bring both professional expertise and lived experience. Together, we dive into aging in America—what’s working, what’s failing, and where families are being left to figure things out on their own.
Topics include:
- Aging in place and long-term care options
- Care planning, transitions, and crisis moments
- Mental health, grief, and caregiver burnout
- Navigating healthcare systems and resources
- Advocacy, accountability, and better models of care
This podcast is for the sandwich generation, long-distance caregivers, aging adults planning ahead, and professionals working in aging and care who want the truth—not platitudes.
👉 Follow Aging Together // Unfiltered if you’re navigating aging parents, caregiving decisions, or a healthcare system that wasn’t built with families in mind—and you’re ready for real conversations, not polite ones.
🎙️ Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and YouTube.
A production of Aging Together LLC.
Aging Together // Unfiltered
S4E00: Revolutionizing Grab Bars: Meet SafetyGrip, by Hartmobility | Kerry Flickner, VP
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Summary:
In this conversation, Dr. Pooja A. Patel speaks with Kerry Flickner, vice president at Hartmobility, about the innovative SafetyGrip grab bar designed for individuals with compromised grip strength. They discuss the evolution of grab bars, the inspiration behind SafetyGrip, and the collaboration with KITE Rehab Research Institute. The conversation highlights the importance of aesthetics in product design, early adoption feedback, partnerships for community engagement, and future research on the product's effectiveness. Flickner emphasizes the need for better solutions for aging populations and the importance of educating caregivers and users about innovative safety products.
Takeaways:
- Safety Grip is designed for individuals with compromised grip strength.
- Traditional grab bars have not evolved significantly since the 1960s.
- User-centered design is crucial for creating effective safety products.
- Collaboration with research institutions enhances product development.
- Aesthetics play a significant role in the adoption of safety products.
- Early adopters are providing valuable feedback on Safety Grip.
- Partnerships with organizations can facilitate product integration into care plans.
- Research is ongoing to quantify the effectiveness of Safety Grip.
- The aging population requires innovative solutions for home safety.
- Education is key to changing perceptions about safety products.
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Season Four and Safety Grip
03:28 The Evolution of Grab Bars and User Needs
09:03 Designing for Real People: The Safety Grip Story
15:13 Understanding Grip Strength and Its Importance
20:37 Aesthetics vs. Functionality in Home Safety Products
25:55 Early Adoption and Feedback on Safety Grip
28:55 Integrating Home Modifications for Safety
34:31 Collaborations with Educational Institutions
37:25 The Future of Grab Bar Technology
42:34 Choosing the Right Grab Bar
46:08 Resources for Home Modifications
50:00 The Growing Need for Safety Solutions
We’re grateful to Hartmobility for supporting this season of our podcast and the journey of aging with dignity. To learn how SafetyGrip is making a difference in real lives, visit hartmobility.com.
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