I'm Susan, and welcome to AgeShifts.

I created AgeShifts because I believe growing older shouldn't mean spending hours searching dozens of websites for reliable information. My goal is to bring trustworthy resources, practical guidance, and thought-provoking ideas together in one place to help people navigate aging with greater confidence.

I currently work as an Admissions Case Manager for an Aging Services Access Point in Massachusetts, where I help connect older adults and families with the services and support they need. Through my work, I've gained extensive knowledge of programs such as Medicare, Medicaid, home care, caregiver resources, housing options, and the many community services available to help people remain independent.

I also hold a Master's degree in Gerontology with a concentration in the Management of Aging Services. My graduate studies covered a wide range of topics, including aging policy, social gerontology, environmental gerontology, caregiving, and AgeTech—the rapidly growing field of technology designed to help people live safer, healthier, and more independent lives.

Before entering the field of aging, I followed several different career paths. I've owned businesses, worked as a massage therapist and yoga instructor, and I continue to work as a dog trainer. While these experiences may seem very different, each one has taught me something valuable about people, health, learning, connection, and adapting to change.

One thing has remained constant throughout my life: I love learning. I'm naturally curious and enjoy exploring new ideas, new technologies, and better ways to improve quality of life. I'm especially interested in healthy aging—not simply living longer, but living better. Staying active, continuing to learn, and supporting both physical and mental well-being are important to me, and they're topics you'll often see explored here.

AgeShifts isn't just about government programs, benefits, or caregiving. It's also a place to explore the bigger picture of aging—how our lives and priorities change, how technology can make life easier, how we can maintain independence, and how we continue finding purpose, connection, curiosity, and enjoyment throughout life.

Although many examples on this site come from my experience working in Massachusetts, much of the information is relevant to people across the United States. Every state has organizations that provide services and support for older adults; they simply may go by different names. In Massachusetts, they're called Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs). In other states, you may find Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) or similar organizations. Part of my goal is to help readers understand where to begin and what questions to ask, no matter where they live.

I also want AgeShifts to grow based on what you want to learn. If there's a topic you'd like me to cover or a question you have about aging, caregiving, AgeTech, benefits, or helpful resources, please leave a comment or subscribe. Your questions and ideas can help shape future content and make AgeShifts a more useful resource for everyone.

Thank you for visiting AgeShifts. I hope you'll find information here that helps you make informed decisions, discover new possibilities, and feel more confident about whatever stage of aging you or someone you care about is navigating.

We're all navigating change. My hope is that AgeShifts makes that journey just a little easier.