How can Pennsylvania care for its aging population? A new series explores options.

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WITF featured the first episode of Designing Dignity on air and will include the whole series on The Morning Agenda. 

Designing Dignity is a six-part series from WESA exploring one of the most pressing questions facing Pennsylvania: Is the state prepared for an aging population?

In episode one, WESA reporter Kiley Koscinski introduces listeners to two families faced with a dementia diagnosis; one in Pittsburgh and one outside of Tokyo, Japan.

In episode two, listeners hear about how Japan’s care managers provide guidance for people living with dementia and their family caregivers as the U.S. considers how to help families navigate its quagmire of social services.

In episode three, Kocinski explores Japan’s effort to keep hospital spending low by delivering dementia care directly to the patient’s front door.

In episode four, listeners learn about how states in the U.S. are grappling with skyrocketing costs for elder care. Could Japan’s long-term care insurance program be replicated at the state level?

In episode five, Kocinski asks how and if robots are able to step into caregiving roles to alleviate workforce shortages as populations age and require more support. And should they?

In episode six, listeners learn how wrapping community around people who are declining cognitively helps to preserve their quality of life — and perhaps enrich everyone else’s in the process.