Rethink Aging

For three consecutive years, the Sentinel Awards have recognized TV entertainment for outstanding storylines about older adults and aging. In 2018, ABC’s General Hospital  was honored for an episode about Sonny’s dad, Mike, being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Actor Max Gail, who played Mike on the daytime drama, joined other cast members from the show at the awards event. The next year, Netflix's Grace and Frankie won an award for “The Crosswalk,” an episode about everyday challenges faced by older adults. Producer/director John Hoffman and actor Millicent Martin were on hand at the ceremony to accept. In 2020, NBC’s This Is Us was honored for a three-episode storyline on Alzheimer’s disease. While making the award presentation to the show's writers, actor Mandy Moore spoke about portraying someone who's struggling with the disease. “Alzheimer’s is a terrifying diagnosis for patients,” said Moore, whose character Rebecca Pearson learns she’s in the early stages. “But [it] also affects family members profoundly and very differently.”

In July 2020, we organized a panel on the fight against ageism in the entertainment industry. Guest speakers included Mike Royce, co-developer and executive producer/writer for One Day at a Time; Ashton Applewhite, an expert on ageism; and Judy Tate, a four-time Emmy Award-winning writer. [Watch panel]

We joined with the SCAN Foundation on New Year’s Day in their campaign to honor family caregivers, who represent all backgrounds and ages. The foundation’s Rose Parade float celebrated these everyday heroes who are an important part in the lives of family and loved ones. [Read more]

What is person-centered care? It's a team-based approach where a person’s values and preferences guide all aspects of their health care, supporting their realistic health and life goals. It puts older adults at the center of the decision-making process. [Read more]