Aging Matters

On Nashville Public Television, learn how Americans overwhelmingly say they prefer to die at home, but most deaths actually occur in hospitals or other long-term care facilities. Aging Matters: End of Life explores the complicated experience of dying and why so few of us get the death we say we want.

There’s never been a better time to grow old. Americans are living longer and healthier lives than did previous generations. But this long life will bring challenges. In Aging Matters: The New Old Age, Nashville Public Television explores the changing face of aging and what our community faces as the baby boomer generation grows the over 65 population to unprecedented numbers.

On Nashville Public Television's Aging Matters, we explore the existence and impact of informal care giving is often overlooked in the United States, but it will become more important, relevant and necessary as people live longer and Baby Boomers grow old.

On Nashville Public Television's Aging Matters, Nashville Public Television examines the costs and financial impact of aging and hears from people navigating financial decisions now. Have we saved and planned enough so our finances will last as long as we do? The average person turning 65 this year will live to be 85 years old. But one in five will live to be 90. One in ten will live to be 95.

The fifth installment in Nashville Public Television’s NPT Reports: Aging Matters series examines what it takes for Tennesseans to successfully age in place. It’s what most of us say we want, to age in our own home until the end of our lives. But aging in place is no guarantee of a high quality of life.

The sixth documentary in Nashville Public Television's Aging Matters series examines broadly the pursuit of health and well-being as we age. What is it about age that changes how we understand health? Two thirds of Medicare beneficiaries live with more than one chronic disease.

On Nashville Public Television's Aging Matters: Living with Alzheimer's and Dementia, we explore the impact these diseases are having on individuals, families and communities by weaving together the personal stories of those who are living with dementia, their care partners and commentary from leading experts in dementia.

It is estimated that one in ten adults over the age of 60 is a victim. But the truth is we don’t know for certain how many older adults are suffering from abuse. On Nashville Public Television's Aging Matters: Abuse & Exploitation, Nashville Public Television explores the issues behind elder abuse, neglect and exploitation.

NPT's Aging Matters: Aging & the Workplace, it is estimated that 10,000 baby boomers turn 65 every day in the United States. That trend will continue for the next decade. At the same time, we are living longer than ever before. Experts project that by 2020, there will be more Americans over aged 65 than children under the age of 5, an unprecedented milestone in human history.

Of all diseases that can affect how we age, you probably don't think of malnutrition. But researchers say more and more older adults are malnourished-even though they look healthy or can even be overweight. Malnutrition or undernutrition is now considered a hidden epidemic among older adults in the United States.

NPT explores how growing older can be an isolating experience and the difference between isolation and FEELING isolated or lonely. We’ll also look at innovative ways to create communities that prevent isolation and social withdrawal.

On NPT's Aging Matters, we'll explore the relationship between people's oral health and their overall health as well the challenges low-income older adults face when trying to access affordable dental care. By hearing from both dentists and their patients, we discover that oral health is linked to chronic diseases, nutrition, social and emotional well being, and overall quality of life.

On Nashville Public Television's Aging Matters: Hospitals & Health Risks, we learn that as we age it becomes increasingly dangerous to be in the hospital. This edition of Aging Matters explores the benefits and risks of hospital treatment as we grow older. We’ll also look at a growing movement by hospitals to adapt to the unique needs of the aging baby boom population.

Just over half of all seniors have had at least one civil legal problem in the last year and 87 percent of older adults seeking legal assistance had difficulty finding or affording it. Yet benefits and resources available to older adults are underutilized. Nashville Public Television’s Aging Matters: Legal Help sheds light on resources and where to turn when legal assistance is needed.

The painful story of addiction is the focus of the next edition of Aging Matters. Adults over age 50 are one of the fastest-growing groups for substance misuse and abuse. NPT Reports Aging Matters: Opioids & Addiction explores how older adults and their families deal with the medical, social and economic challenges of this public health threat.

We know loneliness can negatively impact our health, but what do we do about it? This NPT Reports: Aging Matters episode explores the benefits and challenges of developing relationships as we age.

People choose to live in small towns for many reasons, but will these places have the resources to support aging populations? This edition of Aging Matters considers the benefits and disadvantages of aging in rural America.

Each year, millions of people over age 65 fall. In fact, falls are the leading cause of fatal and non-fatal injuries among older adults. Those numbers should give us pause, but they shouldn’t paralyze us with fear. Falling is not inevitable, and there are things we can do to prevent falls from happening in the first place. Join NPT as we discuss FALL PREVENTION on this edition of AGING MATTERS.

The COVID-19 pandemic revealed shocking disparities in health outcomes based on race and ethnicity, highlighting long-standing inequities among BIPOC Americans. The causes range from barriers to health care access, standards that discriminate, and blatant racism. The result can mean a shorter, poorer quality of life. This edition of Aging Matters focuses on health disparities among older adults.

By 2030, 1 in 5 U.S. residents will reach retirement age, and a majority will need some form of long-term care during their lifetimes. But the high cost of care and a shortage of caregivers are leaving older adults and their families with few places to turn. How we address the caregiving crisis today will determine our quality of life in the years ahead.

LGBTQIA+ older adults face unique social, economic and health challenges. Organizations and individuals are working to address loneliness and access to competent, affirming healthcare and assisted living communities. We shine a light on what many in the Stonewall Generation have had to endure and fight for in the hopes of effecting positive community change in the ongoing pursuit of equality.

According to the FBI, victims of internet crime lost $6.9 billion in 2021, an amount that's gone up almost five times in as many years. And while there are victims from every age group, those 60 and over experience disproportionately higher losses. Learn about the scams that are hitting older adults hardest and what you can do to stay safe online.

Women Unseen focuses on the challenges women face as they age, including economic insecurity, outliving partners, the responsibilities of caregiving, and policies that impact women over a lifespan. This edition of Aging Matters explores ways to empower older women to ensure continued dignity and a consistent quality of life.

Meet four retirement-age adults who have found joy, friendship, healing and purpose by taking on a second act in life. From rollerblading and pickleball to pottery and crocheting, we discover that taking on new challenges is key to remaining vibrant as we age.

Homelessness is on the rise in Nashville, Tenn. Between 2022 and 2023, there's been an 11% increase among those experiencing homelessness. Many of these individuals are over the age of 50, and they are experiencing health conditions decades earlier than their housed neighbors. At the heart of the problem is a lack of affordable housing, and low-income people are paying the price.

In this Aging Matters, we meet various musicians to see the benefits and drawbacks of nontraditional employment. Many musicians flock to Music City with the goal of making it in the industry. A few get the big record deals, but most musicians work gig to gig pursuing their dream without the security that a traditional 9-5 job affords, especially when it comes to insurance and retirement benefits.