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MANSFIELD — What does it mean to age in a society that often glorifies youth and sidelines experience?
That’s the question at the heart of this week’s Better Together podcast episode, where hosts Brittany Schock and Maddie Penwell sit down with Duana Patton, CEO of the Ohio District 5 Area Agency on Aging.
With more than 30 years of experience in the aging services field, Patton offers a compassionate, eye-opening look at what it really takes to grow older — and to care for those who are.
“There’s no one right way to age, just like there’s no one way to be who we are,” Patton said.
Patton reflects on her own parents, now in their 80s, and what it means to support them without stripping away their independence. She also shares stories of caregiving for her mother-in-law, the challenges of adult children navigating role reversal, and the quiet crisis of older adults aging in isolation.
One powerful story includes a local man who lived alone during COVID, eating only lunch meat and Pop-Tarts. After he began receiving prepared meals through the Area Agency, his health improved so dramatically he was able to reduce his diabetic medication. The food — and the connection — transformed his life.
“Supporting our elders isn’t charity,” Penwell says. “It’s community. It’s connection. And one day, if we’re lucky, we’ll all be there.”
Five things you’ll learn in this episode:
- Why aging is a verb, not a milestone — and how reframing that can shift generational mindsets
- How social isolation among older adults is as dangerous as smoking 15 cigarettes a day
- What it means to parent your parents with empathy instead of shame
- Why we need more intergenerational spaces and programs in our community
- What local governments and businesses can do to create age-friendly communities
The Hearth Moment: A Reflection for All Ages
As always, the episode closes with a Hearth Moment — a question meant to invite listeners to take what they heard and carry it into real life. This week’s question asks:
“Who are the elders in your life or your community that might be feeling unseen, unheard, or unsupported? And what’s one small thing you can do this week to remind them that they’re valued?”
Better Together is a weekly podcast produced by Richland Source that explores how we build stronger communities through honest conversation, friendship, and mutual support.
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