Orlene Grant: An Innovative Leader, Giving Voice to Older Adults

June 17, 2024
Hosted by Ron Roel

[Download MP3] [itunes] [Bookmark Episode]

Guest Information

Episode Description

There are many advocates for older adults these days, but few like Orlene Grant, an iconic leader acclaimed for building innovative partnerships across government entities, higher education, local and national nonprofits. In today’s episode, Ms. Grant, the Founder and CEO of the Juanita C, Grant Foundation, will talk about her organization’s mission to improve the lives of older adults through economic development, education, and training—working collaboratively in the community to address high levels of elder poverty, lack of social connectedness, and financial hardships as a result of elder abuse and fraud. She will spotlight the Foundation’s recent interactive summit, that brought together professionals, thought leaders and industry experts to focus on common issues and solutions to disrupt elder abuse and its damaging long-term effects—tangible steps to interrupt, prevent, and dismantle the exploitation of targeted communities. Ms. Grant, who also founded The Grant Group, a healthcare management consulting firm, will describe her wide-ranging efforts to efforts to improve the quality of life of the 50+ community through economic security and interventions that address ageism through workforce initiatives, advocacy efforts and research. She is indeed a tireless champion for equity in aging and elder justice.

45 Forward

Monday at 12 Noon Pacific Time on VoiceAmerica Variety Channel

Thanks to advances in medicine and health, most of us are just at half-life when we reach our mid-40s, with many potentially productive years ahead. But there’s no road map to prepare us for this period. That’s where 45 Forward comes in.

My show provides you with strategies to shift the traditional waiting-for-retirement model to a journey of compelling life chapters. Each show tackles an aspect of health, finance, family and friends, housing, work and personal pursuits as part of an integrated plan. Experts discuss topics like revitalizing relationships, creating mini-retirements, managing the maze of technology, finding your next homestead and caring for aging parents.

The show instills confidence, and hopefully some comfort, amid the stresses permeating today’s society. Fear of the future is not knowing how to prepare for it. 45 Forward does not proffer prefabricated answers, but helps you shape your life amid the daily anxieties of our time.

Ron Roel

I’m a veteran journalist who spent a wide-ranging career covering business, politics and social issues, the last two decades focusing on the blend of diverse life skills I call successful aging.

I have written extensively on aging topics, spoken at conferences, radio and TV shows, and launched several entrepreneurial ventures, discovering along the way that the path to aging well also requires an unexpected entrepreneurial vision. I spent 20 years as a writer and editor at Long Island’s daily newspaper, Newsday, helping to found Act 2, a weekly section for 50-plus readers. I created Roelresources.com, a website offering practical advice and inspirational essays for people ages 40 and above. I have been a volunteer and consultant to AARP Long Island, writing articles, advocating for seniors, and developing action plans for the AARP Age-Friendly Communities initiative.

I am active in programs and organizations that support seniors, such as the National Aging In Place Council and the Senior Umbrella Network. I have developed a special expertise in family caregiving, as one of four brothers who took care of their mother for almost 25 years. I regularly collaborate with many professionals who provide services and support for older Americans, and I am completing a book for caregivers on Long Island, “The Caregiving Navigator/How to Plan, What to do, and Where to Turn When Caring for you Aging Loved Ones. And Yourself,” scheduled for publication in early 2021.

Episode Directory

July 2024

June 2024

  • 6/24/2024: A Passionate Advocate Fights to Reinvent Nursing Homes Listen Now
  • 6/17/2024: Orlene Grant: An Innovative Leader, Giving Voice to Older Adults Listen Now
  • 6/10/2024: Leaving Your Long-Time Home? How Will You Handle the Transition? Listen Now
  • 6/3/2024: Meet the “Amaezing” Mae Caime, former Ms. New York Senior Listen Now

May 2024

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