Longer life is one of humanity’s greatest achievements, but it also brings new challenges for older adults and their caregivers. Few understand that landscape better than Ann Marie Cook, who has guided Lifespan for 29 years, transforming it into a trusted resource for thousands navigating aging with dignity and independence.
Cook’s interest in public service and the nonprofit sector began early. She attended St. Pius X Grammar School and Cardinal Mooney High School, then pursued higher education at SUNY Fredonia and SUNY Brockport, earning degrees in political science and public administration. “I was always fascinated by the role government can play in supporting people in need,” she says. “Understanding policy and funding mechanisms has been critical in guiding Lifespan over the years.”
“My passion for this work has only grown over 29 years,” Cook reflects. “So much attracted me to the position from the very beginning, I was drawn to it right away. A lot has changed since then. The biggest shift has been the explosion in the number of older adults. People are living not just longer, but healthier lives, and government funding has largely not kept pace to support those changes.”
Under her leadership, Lifespan provides more than 30 programs and services, offering guidance, education, and care management to older adults and their families across Monroe County and surrounding regions. The nonprofit hosts workshops ranging from Medicare essentials to fall prevention, runs support groups and respite centers, and connects caregivers to home care, transportation, and medical specialists. It is a member of leading aging networks, including the American Society on Aging, the National Council on Aging, Leading Age NY, and LiveOn NY.
Cook highlights Rochester’s shifting demographics. “Monroe County is skewing older than the state average—26% of our population is over 60. In rural communities, it’s even more apparent: a third of their residents are in their 60s. That changes how we think about work, community design, and accessibility. Age-appropriate work strategies, safe crosswalks with longer light cycles, and inclusive public spaces all matter. It would be easy not to have us at the table, but to be an age-friendly community, older adults must have a voice.”
Healthspan—the ability to live healthier for longer—is central to Lifespan’s mission. “I’m not sure we can change longevity, but we can help people be healthier longer,” Cook says. “We can reduce the likelihood of chronic illness. Data show that around age 75, cognitive and physical decline can accelerate—that’s when people start reaching out for support. We promote physical and mental activity, strong social connections, and healthy eating. Classes like tai chi and living-well programs help people maintain independence and quality of life. It’s not just about surviving, it’s about thriving. Every day, we encourage people to take a walk, play Wordle, or make social connections.”
Cook’s leadership has been tested by both crises and opportunity. “Many years ago, we lost a huge federal contract. It rocked the agency, contracts of that size can threaten an organization’s survival. But we bounced back and continued to thrive. We had to make decisions fast, and I learned that just because you can’t make everything perfect doesn’t mean you can’t make things better. Don’t reach for perfect, reach for action. Early on, I learned that you can always improve.”
Her advice for young nonprofit leaders is clear: “You can only dream if your nonprofit is financially secure. Stay true to your mission, our focus is older adults and their caregivers. Look at the data, don’t just go on your gut. Be analytical, ask how you can improve, and ensure that improvements actually happen. We’ve learned a lot by partnering with academic institutions.”
At Lifespan, leadership is also personal. “You have to walk through the door and smile each time. Find the good in each day. Set an example. Your job is to take on worries so your team can focus on theirs.”
At the heart of Lifespan’s work are family caregivers, the unsung heroes who shoulder enormous mental and physical strain. “I just had breakfast with a caregiver who is working full-time and going to school while caring for her mother with dementia,” Cook recalls. “Her mom isn’t paying bills, isn’t taking care of herself. We have to give these caregivers more support. They are really doing the job, if the formal system were doing it, it would collapse. I haven’t met a family member who hasn’t wanted to help, in some way, to make life better.”
One story sticks with her. “An older man visited his wife with dementia every day. I asked him, ‘Why do you come when she doesn’t know who you are?’ He said, ‘I come because I know who she was.’ Hats off to people who do this. They are grieving every day, the loss of independence is really hard.”
Education is the first line of support. “When you understand dementia, you understand some of the symptoms. That’s the disease speaking, not your loved one,” Cook explains. Lifespan provides support groups so caregivers can connect with others going through the same experience, sharing advice and solidarity.
Care management is another cornerstone: connecting families to companion care, home care, transportation, and access to medical specialists, so that all aspects of care are coordinated. Lifespan also offers drop-in respite centers, where caregivers can run errands, attend appointments, or simply take a break, while their loved ones enjoy activities, singing, and games. For those needing more intensive assistance, the agency helps with placement in supportive living environments.
Cook is a vocal critic of ageism in American society. “Agism—it is plain and simple ageism,” she emphasizes. “We see it reflected in movies, on TV, in jokes that make older adults feel less than. As Americans, we pride ourselves on being a young country, the new frontier, but our population is growing older. We have to realign our thinking, accept everyone, and stop perpetuating ageism. We need to highlight the benefits of aging, not just the challenges.”
Cook is equally energized by innovations improving the quality of life for older adults. “I do think a lot of tech changes are happening that will help,” she says. “Automated medication dispensers, electronic pets and dogs, people love them, and they improve daily life. Self-driving cars could be transformative. Many older adults outlive their ability to drive, but if self-driving cars become the norm, they could get to appointments and run errands independently, potentially extending their mobility by five years.”
She shares an example from Rochester: “A few years ago, RIT students developed a smart toilet seat that measures when it’s used and tracks output. It became part of a smart-home model. If your mom doesn’t get up to flush, you’ll know something may be wrong. Simple innovations like this help caregivers intervene early and maintain independence safely.”
When asked who she would invite to dinner to talk about aging and the meaning of time, Cook chooses three figures who shaped the field of elder care. “The first would be President JFK, who held the first White House Conference on Aging in 1962. He knew we were a young country, but he foresaw the challenges of an aging population. That conference laid the groundwork for Medicare, Medicaid, and the Older Americans Act, which funds many of our programs today.
“The second person would be Carter Catlett Williams. Her husband was the first head of the National Institute on Aging, and she began a movement of restraint-free care in nursing homes. After seeing practices in Europe, she advocated for dignity and freedom for older adults—a national movement today.”
“The third would be one of Lifespan’s founders, Eli Rudin. He attended that conference with President Kennedy and returned to Rochester determined to ensure older adults in our community had the care and respect they deserved. These are people who asked the right questions, the power of the question is everything in this work.”
For Cook, a life well-lived is one marked by contribution and pride. “Everyone has a different definition. If you can be proud of your work, your children, or your community contributions, that’s a life well-lived. At Lifespan, our goal is to help others achieve that same sense of purpose, connection, and dignity as they age.”
Looking 20 years into the future, Cook hopes Lifespan remains the first call for anyone with questions about aging. “I hope it continues to thrive and grow. It may look very different two decades from now, but the foundation we’ve built over the past 30 years will carry forward. I’ve listened to older adults, I’ve listened to staff, and I’ve led with curiosity, vision, and financial stability so we can continue to serve.”
She envisions a transformation in human services: “We need to focus on the people we serve. There is not enough funding to meet every need, and poverty is increasing. More and more people require access to healthcare. We can redesign human services to prioritize support where it’s needed most. Individual nonprofit leaders need to be nimble, they can’t operate the way it’s always been done. It will be challenging, but adapting is necessary to ensure we continue to meet the evolving needs of our community.”
Under Ann Marie Cook’s leadership, Lifespan has transformed aging from a societal challenge into a community-wide opportunity. She has shown that longer life can be not just about surviving, but thriving—through dignity, connection, and purpose. In Rochester and beyond, Lifespan stands as a beacon of what is possible when experience, empathy, and innovation converge in service of a better tomorrow.
George Cassidy Payne is a Rochester-based nonprofit leader, educator, and advocate for sustainable economic development. With a philosophy and social work background, George has spent over two decades addressing issues of equity, public policy, and crisis intervention. His community development and environmental sustainability expertise informs his commitment to strengthening Rochester’s regional economy.