EP 262 - The Small Supports That Preserve Independence | Senior Living News

About this episode

Independence is rarely lost all at once. More often, it changes gradually. Walking becomes harder. Hearing fades. Everyday errands become more demanding. Social connections begin to disappear. This week on Senior Living News with Dale Corpus, Dale explores how recognizing those smaller changes early may help older adults preserve something much bigger: the ability to continue living the life they value. For the week of October 19, 2026, Dale examines a new approach to healthy aging called “intrinsic capacity.” Instead of focusing only on diagnoses, the framework asks what a person can still do across movement, thinking, psychological resilience, the senses, and vitality. Dale also reviews research suggesting that benefits to brain health may begin at approximately 3,000 daily steps. He explains why the findings are encouraging, but do not prove that walking prevents or treats Alzheimer’s disease. The episode then turns to aging in place. What everyday assistance must exist around an older adult to make remaining at home safe and sustainable? And what can research into home- and community-based services teach us about autonomy, security, and quality of life, including for peop