If you’re looking for simple strategies to sharpen your mind and enrich the quality of your life as you age, you’ll find plenty of inspiration and actionable advice here. Join us as we celebrate the joys of learning, growing, and blooming—at every age.

Welcome to Aging In Full Bloom! I’m Lisa Stockdale, and in this episode, I’m thrilled to welcome Angie Dortch—an educator, caregiver, and the creative mind behind a unique wellness program designed just for us, the active aging community. Angie shares her journey, inspired by caring for her mother and her background in the performing arts, and together we dive into the importance of not just aging, but learning how to age well.

In our conversation, Angie introduces practical, easy-to-use memory tips—like her object recall exercises—that I personally tried out (and loved!). We laugh about the everyday struggle of finding our keys, and Angie reassures us that those little lapses don’t mean we’re losing our minds. We also explore the value of staying socially connected, embracing lifelong learning, and facing the future with enthusiasm rather than dread.

Moments

00:00 Pioneer of Holistic Wellness

03:10 Neglected Wellness for Aging Adults

09:36 "Social Connection Programs for Seniors"

10:37 Virtual Community Initiative During COVID

15:46 Group Dynamics and Decision-Making

17:52 Experiential Learning Practice

22:34 Memory Exercise and Mental Flexibility

24:20 "Mastering Attention and Presence"

27:06 Embrace Aging with Enthusiasm

Here are my top three takeaways:

• Learning How to Age Is a Lifelong Skill: Just like becoming a teenager, a parent, or a professional, aging well is something we must actively learn. It doesn’t just happen—we’re always honing new skills.
• Intentional Practice Improves Memory: Angie’s “object recall” activity is a simple yet powerful exercise. Place a personal item in a designated spot, write down where you put it, and try to recall its location later. This intentional act of focusing your attention really does work!
• Social & Emotional Wellness Are Just as Important as Physical Health: Loneliness is a major challenge for aging adults. Angie’s programs encourage group work and personal connection to keep the mind flexible and the heart full.

Aging in Full Bloom with Lisa Stockdale is sponsored by HomeCaire. We believe every patient deserves personalized care tailored to their needs, in the way they prefer. Every caregiver should feel supported, valued, and motivated. We view each person as an individual, with unique needs, desires, and skills. Our goal is to best support our family as they reach new milestones.

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Copyright 2025 Lisa Stockdale

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Thanks for listening to Aging in Full Bloom with Lisa Stockdale, sponsored by HomeCaire of Ohio. We added an "i" to care because we care about the individual. That includes the individual caregiver and the individual client. From each caregiver's caseload to every client's care plan, we understand that individual preferences and priorities matter. People matter; we haven't lost sight of that here at HomeCaire of Ohio. If you or someone you know needs personal care at home, call 419-458-3000 to learn.