Our conversation on this Living to 100 Club podcast explores the nuances of “making meaning” out of experiences of older adults. The guest is Dr. Susan Mazer, a co-founder of Healing Health Care Systems, a CONTINUOUS AMBIENT RELAXATION ENVIRONMENT (“CARE CHANNEL”) for hospitals and other health care settings.
We discuss the varied perceptions that the 55+ group has of events – both external and internal – and the self-talk that goes on in our head when reacting to these events. A fall, the death of a close friend, or maybe unexpected medical findings all cause us to create some meaning about this experience in our day to day life. But how do these experiences affect our outlook and attitudes about aging? Does our interpretation become a burden or worry, or can we escape the negative and move past the experience? Tune in as we learn how to lighten the load from those age-related challenges that come along.
Mini Bio
Susan Mazer is the award-winning Co-Founder and past CEO of Healing HealthCare Systems (HHS). With Florence Nightingale as her inspiration, Susan has invested the last 30 years in improving the patient environment at the bedside. This has been done by researching and presenting on environmental stressors that impact patient experience and outcomes. She works to identify and understand how patient safety, privacy, and outcomes are impacted by the auditory environment.
Currently the Chief Knowledge Officer of HHS, Susan is transferring her knowledge and experience to new owners who were previously employees. Susan is educating them on the mission, vision, and methodology behind HHS and the C.A.R.E. Channel, ensuring the future longevity and sustainability of the organization. Susan established Healing HealthCare Systems to provide healthcare that heals through environmental care management. With a research-driven, evidence-based environmental tool, she grew HHS to place the C.A.R.E. Channel in more than 900 hospitals and residential care facilities nationwide. This is making the business the leading provider of relaxation content at all levels of care.
Before founding Healing HealthCare Systems in 1992, Susan performed full-time as a jazz harpist. She pioneered the development of the ElectroAcoustic Harp for Jazz and the concept of music as environmental design. Together with her husband and fellow jazz musician, Dallas Smith, she has recorded 20+ CDs. They continue to perform today.
For Our Listeners
Susan’s Website: HealingHealth.com