Hopeful Aging

04/23/2026

AI is transforming the way we think about dementia care—and you’re invited to be part of the conversation.

If you are in the Boston area, please Join us for an important and timely event focused on the future of care, connection, and innovation , hosted by the Metrowest Alzheimer’s Partnership..

🗓 Tuesday, April 28
⏰ 10:00 AM
📍 Ashland Senior Center

Our Director of Research & Innovation, Michael Skrajner, will be presenting:
“Artificial Intelligence to Improve Quality of Life for Persons with Dementia: Real-World Use Cases and the BRAIN Study.”

This is an opportunity to explore how technology can support dignity, independence, and meaningful engagement for people living with dementia.

👉 Register here: https://lnkd.in/emz5ekWy

04/16/2026

We arere proud to share that Dr. John Zeisel has been named a finalist for the Technology and AI Award at the UK Dementia Care Awards for his work on the CONNECT digital engagement system.

This recognition highlights the growing impact of CONNECT in supporting connection, dignity, and engagement for people living with dementia.

Winners will be announced on April 30th—and we’re honored to see this work recognized on an international stage. Visit our website to learn more about the groundbreaking CONNECT system: www.theconnectapp.com

04/14/2026

Reading can be a powerful way to connect even as cognitive changes occur. With the right approach, reading becomes more than an activity, it becomes a moment of connection and engagement.

Today we’re sharing simple tips and best practices to help you create engaging, supportive reading and discussion experiences for people living with dementia.

✔ Create a calm, distraction free environment
✔ Focus on connection, not the task
✔ Encourage participation by asking for the person’s opinion
✔ Let the material guide the conversation,

💡 Small shifts can make a big difference.
https://vimeo.com/1161591264?fl=pl&fe=sh

👉 Explore more in the CONNECT Reading Library: https://www.theconnectapp.com/connect-reading-library

This is "Reading & Discussion Tips and Best Practices (Viva Stories & Insight Articles by CONNECT)" by Hopeful Aging on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.

04/10/2026

👉 Click Here to Download this month’s FREE May Day VIVA Story and Insight Article!: https://tr.ee/SJJEBD67zN

This week, we’re sharing two MORE free resources from our CONNECT platform designed to support meaningful moments of connection and engagement for people living with memory challenges:

VIVA Story (May Day Story)
For moderate to advanced cognitive challenges
Focuses on presence over performance—no need to remember details or follow a storyline. Each page can be read, shared, or discussed independently

Insight Article (May Day)
For early-stage cognitive challenges
Sparks curiosity, invites conversation, and encourages reflection
8–10 pages, large print, discussion questions included

CONNECT is Hopeful Aging’s award-winning digital engagement platform, built through NIH-funded research to support connection across all stages of memory loss—at home, in adult day programs, or in long-term care.

👉 Learn More about our CONNECT Reading Library here: https://tr.ee/5qgSTkDa-E

04/08/2026

The CONNECT Reading Library is a growing digital collection designed to support connection, engagement, and meaningful moments for people living with cognitive change. And now, it includes even more ways to connect! 💛

Alongside our VIVA Stories the library now also features Insight Articles. Insight Articles are created for those in the earlier stages of cognitive decline, offering a more traditional reading experience with thoughtful adaptations. They focus on one clear topic, use larger print, and include guided questions to encourage reflection and conversation.

Together, these two offerings create a flexible, supportive library:
✨ VIVA Stories invite connection in the moment for those with middle stage dementia
✨ Insight Articles encourage thinking, discussion, and continued learning for those with early stage dementia.

With a CONNECT Reading Library subscription, you get unlimited access to both, making it easy to choose what fits best.

💡 Because the right tools can turn reading into meaningful engagement.

Explore the CONNECT Reading Library and discover tools designed with purpose: https://www.theconnectapp.com/connect-reading-library

Download a free story here: https://tr.ee/E2sgoJgxdE

04/02/2026

We want to take a moment to warmly welcome all of our new followers—and say a heartfelt THANK YOU to everyone who participated in our CONNECT Reading Library giveaway! 💙

We loved seeing your excitement, your shares, and the people you tagged. It’s clear that meaningful connection, conversation, and engagement truly matter to this community.

🎉 Congratulations to our winners! 🎉
Our 5 winners each received a FREE 1-year subscription to the CONNECT Reading Library, and our top 3 winners also received gift cards!

With their subscription, they now have full access to:
📖 VIVA Stories – designed for later-stage cognitive engagement
🧠 Insight Articles – created for earlier stages of cognitive change

Subscriptions Include:
✔ Over 500 stories with built-in discussion questions
✔ New content added monthly
✔ Quick Start tutorials
✔ FREE samples of 40 other CONNECT activities

CONNECT was created to support connection through reading and conversation—for people living with cognitive change and those who care about them. It’s all about keeping curiosity, dignity, and relationships strong.

If you didn’t win but are interested in exploring the library, you can learn more here:
👉 https://www.theconnectapp.com/connect-reading-library

We’re so glad you’re here and excited to continue sharing resources, ideas, and inspiration with you.

— The Hopeful Aging Team

03/31/2026

👉Download this month’s FREE Easter VIVA Story and Insight Article!

This week, we’re sharing two free resources from our CONNECT platform—designed to support meaningful moments of connection, dignity, and engagement for people living with memory challenges:

VIVA Story (Easter Story)
-For moderate to advanced cognitive challenges
-Focuses on presence over performance
-Each page can be read, shared, or discussed independently

Insight Article (Easter Traditions & Reflection)
-For early-stage cognitive challenges
-Sparks curiosity, invites conversation, and encourages reflection
-8–10 pages, large print, discussion questions included

Download your FREE Easter Story Here: https://tr.ee/E2sgoJgxdE

CONNECT is Hopeful Aging’s award-winning digital engagement platform, built through NIH-funded research to support connection across all stages of memory loss—at home, in adult day programs, or in long-term care.

Learn More about our CONNECT Reading Library here: https://tr.ee/5qgSTkDa-E

03/27/2026

Congratulations to our lucky winners!!

1st Kulley N Bonnie Laster
2nd Janene Gomillion
3rd Laurie Toback
4th Joyce Knighting McDaniel
5th Brenda Stiffler

Please send us a message with your email address and we will get you set up to claim your prizes!!!

Thank you to all who entered stay tuned for more giveaways.

03/27/2026

Keep your eye out for the drawing of our winners tonight!

03/26/2026

Today is the final day to enter our giveaway celebrating the launch of the NEW CONNECT Reading Library.

5 people will win a FREE 1-year subscription to the CONNECT Reading Library
(a $250 value!), AND 3 people will win gift cards!

- 1st Place: CONNECT Reading Library subscription and a $100 gift card
- 2nd Place: CONNECT Reading Library subscription and a $50 gift card
- 3rd Place: CONNECT Reading Library subscription and a $25 gift card
- 4th & 5th Place: CONNECT Reading Library subscription

Learn more about the CONNECT Reading Library here:
https://www.theconnectapp.com/connect-reading-library

✨ To enter:
👍 Like this post
➡️ Follow our page
🔁 Share this post
💬 Comment DONE when finished

03/24/2026

THERE IS STILL TIME TO ENTER THE CONTEST!!

To celebrate the launch of our NEW CONNECT Reading Library we are giving away something very special!

5 people will win a FREE 1-year subscription to the CONNECT Reading Library
(a $250 value!), AND 3 people will win gift cards!

- 1st Place: CONNECT Reading Library subscription and a $100 gift card
- 2nd Place: CONNECT Reading Library subscription and a $50 gift card
- 3rd Place: CONNECT Reading Library subscription and a $25 gift card
- 4th & 5th Place: CONNECT Reading Library subscription

✨ How to enter:
1️⃣ Like this post
2️⃣ Follow our page
3️⃣ Share this post
4️⃣ Comment DONE when finished

⭐ Bonus entry: Tag someone you love who would enjoy meaningful conversations.
All entries must be in by March 26th. On the 27th we will randomly select the winners!

Want to learn more about the new library?
https://www.theconnectapp.com/connect-reading-library

CONNECT was created to support meaningful connection through reading and conversation for people living with cognitive change and those who care about them. Our library includes VIVA Stories, Insight Articles, and thoughtful discussion questions designed for different stages of cognition.

It’s all about keeping conversation, curiosity, and connection alive.
No purchase necessary. This contest is not sponsored, endorsed, or administered by Facebook, LinkedIn, or Instagram. For additional details, visit: https://www.theconnectapp.com/contest-details

03/19/2026

🎉 CONTEST TIME! 🎉

To celebrate the launch of our NEW CONNECT Reading Library we are giving away something very special!

5 people will win a FREE 1-year subscription to the CONNECT Reading Library
(a $250 value!), AND 3 people will win gift cards!

- 1st Place: CONNECT Reading Library subscription and a $100 gift card

- 2nd Place: CONNECT Reading Library subscription and a $50 gift card

- 3rd Place: CONNECT Reading Library subscription and a $25 gift card

- 4th & 5th Place: CONNECT Reading Library subscription

✨ How to enter:
1️⃣ Like this post
2️⃣ Follow our page
3️⃣ Share this post
4️⃣ Comment DONE when finished

⭐ Bonus entry: Tag someone you love who would enjoy meaningful conversations.

All entries must be in by March 26th. On the 27th we will randomly select the winners!

Want to learn more about the new library?
https://www.theconnectapp.com/connect-reading-library

CONNECT was created to support meaningful connection through reading and conversation for people living with cognitive change and those who care about them. Our library includes VIVA Stories and Insight Articles, each of which includes thoughtful discussion questions designed for different stages of cognition.

It’s all about keeping conversation, curiosity, and connection alive.

No purchase necessary. This contest is not sponsored, endorsed, or administered by Facebook, LinkedIn, or Instagram. For additional details, visit: https://www.theconnectapp.com/contest-details