Dr. Bill Thomas’ ChangingAging Tour Comes to Longmeadow

LONGMEADOW — JGS Lifecare will host Dr. Bill Thomas’ ChangingAging Tour on Monday, June 12 in the Gloth Family Auditorium, 770 Converse St., Longmeadow. There will be two performances: “Disrupt Dementia” from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m., and “Aging: Life’s Most Dangerous Game” from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

Many claim that aging will change us against our will, and for the worse. Thomas, a graduate of Harvard Medical School and an international authority on geriatric medicine and elder care, argues that this is false. Blending myth and science, live music and visuals, the ChangingAging Tour is barnstorming the country in a rock-and-roll tour bus to bring communities a new and highly disruptive understanding of aging.

Drawing on ancient wisdom and scientific breakthroughs, the ChangingAging Tour challenges audience members to reject ageist stereotypes and embrace the moments of life that offer the greatest risk, reward, and possibility.

“We are thrilled to bring this transformational event to our local community,” said Martin Baicker, president and CEO of JGS Lifecare. “Dr. Thomas is the creator of the small-house concept known as the Green House model of care, which is employed at our new Sosin Center for Rehabilitation, and will be coming next to our Leavitt Family Jewish Home as part of phase two of our Project Transformation.”

The ChangingAging Tour includes two non-fiction theater performances as well as an expert panel discussion and an immersive lobby experience. In the afternoon, “Disrupt Dementia” — featuring music and stories from Samite and Nate Silas Richardson, and co-hosts Dr. Jennifer Carson and Kyrié Carpenter — challenges common misconceptions and stereotypes of dementia. The evening performance, Dr. Thomas’ signature show, is “Aging: Life’s Most Dangerous Game,” featuring musician Nate Silas Richardson and Namarah McCall, which explores aging as a rich process of growth.

“Aging can be reimagined as a vivid and enlivening process that presents us with extraordinary risks and rewards,” Thomas said. “So, how are we supposed to play this most dangerous of all games? What do winning and losing look like?”

Through the performances, attendees will explore the difference between truth and illusion when it comes to aging, effective insights for better health and well-being gained from the wisdom of elders, exciting possibilities for every stage of life, illuminating insights on what elders — even those living with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease — can teach about creating kind and inclusive communities, and more.

Between the two performances, JGS Lifecare will offer a panel discussion, tours of the Sosin Center for Rehabilitation, and vendor displays. Michael’s Café will be open for refreshments.

Tickets cost $10 each, or both performances for $15. National event sponsors include AARP and Holiday Retirement. Local event sponsors including Visiting Angels, the Alzheimer’s Assoc., Dr. Fred Brownstein, and Health New England. Event supporters include Carr Property Management, Glenmeadow, HealthPro Rehabilitation, Healthcare Services Group, Jewish Family Services, and Springfield Jewish Community Center. Tickets can be purchased online at changingaging.com using discount code JGS50, or in person at JGS Lifecare, 770 Converse St., Longmeadow, in the Development Office.