According to AARP, nearly four in ten adults have a close friend who’s at least 15 years older or younger than they are. Almost 50% of these close bonds have lasted at least 10 years and 20% of them have lasted for more than two decades.

This episode of Aging Rewired explores how we can use tech to help foster these enriching intergenerational connections, both within the family and outside of it. First, Senior Planet Web Editor, Virge Randall, interviews Sharon Wood, the founder and CEO of Happy People Games and The New Forevers, about her evidence-based video game company dedicated to memory wellness and boosting familial connection. To learn more visit happypeoplegames.com.

Next, Sheila Solomon interviews Margaret Morgan-Hubbard and Kayla Agonoy from ECO City Farms about the power of intergenerational work and volunteer communities. To learn more, visit ecoffshoots.org.

A recent AARP study showed that eight in ten adults 50-plus report having used some form of AI. So how are older adults currently using AI and what new applications can they look forward to in the future? In this episode of Aging Rewired, we explore that question through two different conversations.

First, we are joined in the studio by Fan Zhang, Principal Engineer, Accessibility Innovation at Meta. Fan and Sheila discuss how older adults can harness the power of AI through wearables, such as Meta’s AI glasses, to make their daily lives more accessible. To learn more about Meta’s AI glasses visit meta.com/ai-glasses.

Then, you’ll hear from two Senior Planet employees (Katherine Lam Bellacero, Curriculum Manager and Wanda Woods, Technology Trainer) about what they’re hearing from older adults in the classroom, how Senior Planet develops AI curriculum, and what future improvements to aging they hope AI will bring. To explore Senior Planet’s free AI resources, visit seniorplanet.org/ai.

How can seniors use technology to help clean up the environment? In this episode, you’ll hear the stories of two older adults who are harnessing social media to build community and improve the world around them. First, we speak with Susan Baur, the founder of Old Ladies Against Underwater Garbage (olaug-ma.com). Next, you’ll hear from Sokie Lee, the founder of NYC Clean volunteers (facebook.com/groups/nyccleanvolunteers/).

To learn more about Senior Planet from AARP and our free programs for older adults, visit seniorplanet.org or call 888-713-3495.