Hopeful Aging

06/05/2026

06/03/2026

Hopeful Aging is excited to share that audiobook versions of Viva Stories by CONNECT are now available!

Designed to support meaningful engagement for people living with dementia, these narrated experiences offer an accessible and enjoyable way to connect through stories, familiar topics, and shared conversation. They can be enjoyed one-on-one with a caregiver, in small groups to spark discussion and reminiscence, or simply as a relaxing independent activity that promotes comfort, focus, and connection. By combining the power of voice, storytelling, and thoughtful content, Audiobooks create new opportunities for engagement and joy.

Visit our website to learn more about all of our research-backed reading materials: https://www.theconnectapp.com/connect-reading-library

06/01/2026

Something new is coming this June at Hopeful Aging… 👀

This month, we’ll be sharing:

-The launch of something we’ve been very excited to introduce
-A video story from a family member sharing their experience with CONNECT
-A brand-new doodle video with Rodney
-Free Flag Day and Father’s Day VIVA Stories & Insight Articles
-Updates surrounding the John Hopper Impact Award after last week’s finalist announcement

Every month, our goal is to create opportunities for engagement, dignity, storytelling, and meaningful moments for individuals and families navigating cognitive change.

We’re excited to share what’s ahead — and we’d love for you to follow along this month, invite friends and family to our page, and help spread awareness about a more hopeful approach to aging.

Learn more about CONNECT and Hopeful Aging at https://www.theconnectapp.com/

05/26/2026

As Memorial Day weekend comes to a close, we’re reminded that the stories, memories, and moments we share with loved ones continue long after the holiday itself.

For many families, familiar traditions and meaningful conversations can spark connection, comfort, and joy.

If you missed our free Memorial Day VIVA Stories and Insight Articles, don’t worry — we’ll be leaving them available for the rest of the week so more families can experience them together.

Click here to download yours today: https://tr.ee/Qtgk9XA2Li

05/23/2026

We’re honored to see Hopeful Aging and our CONNECT system featured in a recent article from Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

As shared in the article, CONNECT is designed to build on the strengths that remain, creating opportunities for conversation, socialization, creativity, and connection rather than focusing on limitations. Through stories, discussion, music, and engagement tools, CONNECT helps caregivers and families foster moments of joy and strengthen relationships throughout the dementia journey.

“We want to help people connect with their loved one and improve quality of life,” said Michael Skrajner, Director of Research at Hopeful Aging. “The intention isn’t to improve memory, per se, but instead to use the strengths that still remain and create meaningful engagement.” Together with our wonderful partners at the Jewish Association on Aging, we are seeing this goal become a reality.

We’re grateful to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette for highlighting this important work and helping bring more awareness to compassionate, relationship-centered dementia care.

Read the full article here:

Research-based app helps dementia patients engage via conversation; not memory

05/21/2026

We’re honored to share that Director of Research and Innovation at Hopeful Aging, Michael Skrajner has been named a finalist for the 2026 John Hopper Impact Award.

This year’s theme, Empowered Care, recognizes leaders creating meaningful impact in aging and dementia care — and we’re proud to see Mike and the work of Hopeful Aging recognized alongside such inspiring innovators.

The winner will be announced at the What’s Next Longevity Venture Summit at University of California, Berkeley on June 17.

Congratulations to all of this year’s finalists:
✨ Anna Gudmundson
✨ Dr. Michael Skrajner
✨ Shauna Sweeney

We’re grateful to be part of a community working to create more connected, compassionate, and empowering approaches to aging care.

05/20/2026

Memorial Day reminds us of the importance of honoring stories, remembering loved ones, and spending meaningful time together.

For people living with dementia, familiar traditions, shared memories, and reading together can help create moments of comfort, connection, and engagement.

This week, we’re sharing a FREE Memorial Day VIVA Story and Insight Article from our CONNECT platform to help families, care partners, and communities connect through conversation and storytelling.

👉 Download the FREE Memorial Day Stories here: https://tr.ee/5opbiERNqr

05/16/2026

Discover how Rodney went from feeling isolated and disengaged to finding connection, purpose, and a true sense of belonging.

05/12/2026

Last week, we invited families to share a Mother’s Day story from the CONNECT platform, creating moments of connection with questions and discussion throughout the story.🌷

What may seem like a simple question often becomes something much deeper:

✨ Stories about childhood traditions
✨ Favorite family recipes
✨ Memories of holidays and celebrations
✨ Moments of laughter

That’s the power of meaningful conversation.

It reminds someone that their voice, experiences, and stories matter. 💛

CONNECT was built to help create more of these moments every day.

Click Here to learn more about our CONNECT Reading Library: https://www.theconnectapp.com/connect-reading-library