Live Long and Master Aging

Loneliness is a silent epidemic affecting elderly populations. Social isolation shortens lives and exacerbates the onset of disease in millions of people, around the world. In the UK, The Silver Line, a free and confidential telephone hotline, was established in 2012 to offer information, friendship and advice to older people.  Founded by the British television presenter Esther Rantzen, the 24-hour service also offers help to those suffering abuse and neglect. The Silver Line is run by Sophie Andrews, who took on the role after serving as the national chairman for the suicide prevention line, Samaritans.  Billed as a ‘helpline hero,’ Sophie spoke about her work and life experiences at the 2017 TEDMED conference in La Quinta, California.  In this in-depth interview, recorded at the conference, she discusses the harrowing abuse she experienced as a child and how it led to a career of service, offering help to others.  Sophie also explains why she prefers to live for the moment, than dwell on her own longevity.---Sophie Andrews spoke to LLAMA host Peter Bowes at the 2017 TEDMED conference in La Quinta, near Palm Springs, California. Her TED talk will be published on the TEDMED site in the next few months.“Loneliness cuts across all demographics. It's not about how big your bank balance is, it's not about your background, it's not about your education - it cuts across everything and there is the stigma of talking about it."The Silver Line provides three functions to support older peopleA befriending service to help combat lonelinessA link to the many services around the UK to help older peopleSupport and empowerment for people suffering from abuse and neglectIn the UK The Silver Line helpline is 0800 4 70 80 90Sophie documented her years of abuse, self-harm and suicidal misery in her 2009 autobiography, Scarred. “She was a slave to her father and pain was her only escape.”“One question I've asked from time to time with people who've been very suicidal … is:  'Do you want to be dead forever or would you want to be dead for now?'"Fit, Healthy & Happy Podcast Welcome to the Fit, Healthy and Happy Podcast hosted by Josh and Kyle from Colossus...Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the showThe Live Long and Master Aging (LLAMA) podcast, a HealthSpan Media LLC production, shares ideas but does not offer medical advice.  If you have health concerns of any kind, or you are considering adopting a new diet or exercise regime, you should consult your doctor.

If there were such as thing as the Fountain of Youth, Dr. James Hamblin, senior editor at The Atlantic, must have been drinking from it all his life. In the real world, the 35-year old doctor-turned-journalist, shrugs off his youthful appearance as a family trait. When asked about his boyish looks, the host of the video series, If Our Bodies Could Talk, responds without hesitation. He is used to answering questions. After training as a radiologist and dabbling in improv comedy, James realized that he preferred talking for a living than practicing medicine. He is now known as the doctor who offers “off-beat perspectives” on health matters, through his writing and video series. In this interview, James shares his disdain for news cycles and enthusiasm for a plant-based diet. He also discusses his frustration with the medical profession and suggests family doctors would serve their patients better if they had an active Instagram account.Fit, Healthy & Happy Podcast Welcome to the Fit, Healthy and Happy Podcast hosted by Josh and Kyle from Colossus...Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the showThe Live Long and Master Aging (LLAMA) podcast, a HealthSpan Media LLC production, shares ideas but does not offer medical advice.  If you have health concerns of any kind, or you are considering adopting a new diet or exercise regime, you should consult your doctor.

What if a message suddenly appeared on your bathroom mirror to tell you that your most recent bowel movement contained a clue to a possible health problem?The bathroom will never be the same again. It is about to become the epicenter of the health hub of the future, according to Eric Olson, director of design at Karten Design, a Los Angeles-based, research-driven, product innovation company.  Eric sees the room that we all interact with multiple times a day as the perfectly connected environment to help us improve our wellness and live more fulfilling lives. In this interview, recorded at the USC Center for Body Computing Conference, he explains how the smart toilet could alert us to potentially life-threatening diseases, well before a traditional screening in a doctors office.He also outlines his vision for a connected floor surface with the ability to predict a person’s likelihood to fall and a mirror equipped with an infrared camera capable of detecting changes in skin composition.  Fit, Healthy & Happy Podcast Welcome to the Fit, Healthy and Happy Podcast hosted by Josh and Kyle from Colossus...Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the showThe Live Long and Master Aging (LLAMA) podcast, a HealthSpan Media LLC production, shares ideas but does not offer medical advice.  If you have health concerns of any kind, or you are considering adopting a new diet or exercise regime, you should consult your doctor.

 Dr. David Albert is a visionary physician and innovator in the field of digital health.  As an entrepreneur he has developed medical products and nurtured new technologies over the last 30 years. A graduate of Harvard College and Duke University Medical School, Dr. Albert has founded three tech companies, InnovAlarm, Lifetone Technology and AliveCor  his most recent endeavor, which has developed the mobile ECG or electrocardiogram sensor. The Kardia mobile device, which is aimed at everyone, detects and analyzes heart rhythm with a simple sensor and mobile app. The ECG - sometimes referred to as EKG - is the electrical activity of the heartbeat and the data could help to detect signs of heart disease.  In this in-depth interview, recorded at the USC Center for Body Computing Conference, Dr Albert explains his vision for future medical technology, which he says has the potential to impact disease, aging and enhance human longevity.  SHOW NOTES   David Albert (@DrDave01) is the founder and Chief Medical Officer at AliveCor (@AliveCor ‏).  LLAMA host Peter Bowes met David at the 2017 USC Center for Body Computing Conference, where he was presented, by Dr Leslie Saxon, with the inaugural USC CBC Digital Health Innovator Award.   Watch videos from the conference here. “Peace of mind is often times as important as a piece of medical information. Anxiety and stress impact our lives, impact our longevity.” "I shame my children in their work out habits and that's had a positive impact on them. I think we can all have an impact on our fellow man and whether or not I live a year longer or not, the quality of my life will be better and I think that's key. You know it's not just longevity it's quality." “You can have a direct impact with your lifestyle on your longevity and on your functional longevity, that is your quality of life, at an older age." “Affluence impacts longevity anywhere in the world so if you are more affluent you will live longer. Now that's the kind of discrimination that I think we have to work to fight." "Knowing facts is not nearly as important as being able to adapt to a changing environment and being able to continuously learn."Fit, Healthy & Happy Podcast Welcome to the Fit, Healthy and Happy Podcast hosted by Josh and Kyle from Colossus...Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the showThe Live Long and Master Aging (LLAMA) podcast, a HealthSpan Media LLC production, shares ideas but does not offer medical advice.  If you have health concerns of any kind, or you are considering adopting a new diet or exercise regime, you should consult your doctor.

Dr. Michelle Longmire is a Stanford-trained dermatologist, accomplished athlete and CEO of the digital health platform, Medable. The Palo Alto, California-based company is transforming the way clinical trials are performed by opening up the process to everyone.  Through its technology and “direct-to-patient” approach, Medable is making it possible for researchers to capture data that would otherwise be lost to the scientific process. This includes environmental factors and the continuous measurement of a person’s physiology, to create a road map of their lives.  In this in-depth interview, recorded at the USC Center for Body Computing Conference, Michelle explains how patient-generated data has the power to radically improve healthcare delivery, clinical research, and personalized and predictive medicine. She also reveals how running every day helps her to manage her company and why she heeds her grandmother’s advice to sleep on her back. Fit, Healthy & Happy Podcast Welcome to the Fit, Healthy and Happy Podcast hosted by Josh and Kyle from Colossus...Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the showThe Live Long and Master Aging (LLAMA) podcast, a HealthSpan Media LLC production, shares ideas but does not offer medical advice.  If you have health concerns of any kind, or you are considering adopting a new diet or exercise regime, you should consult your doctor.

"Alzheimer's disease, a devastating disease that affects the cells of the brain, is now regarded as the major form of old age “senility,” said President Ronald Reagan in 1983, as he designated November as National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness month.  "Because there is an association of dementia with aging and because Americans are living longer, the numbers affected by this disease will continue to grow,” he added.  A decade later Reagan was diagnosed with the disease and November is still recognized as a month to focus on a condition that affects over 47 million people, worldwide.  Dr. Lon Schneider (@LonSchneiderMD) is professor of psychiatry, neurology, and gerontology at the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California. He is also the director of the California Alzheimer's Disease Center and a longtime researcher into the disease for which there is no cure. There has been much progress since Reagan’s time and Dr. Schneider is currently studying ways to halt the progress of Alzheimer’s disease, decades before it begins. In this in-depth interview, he explains how an intervention 10 to 12 years before Alzheimer’s manifests, it may be possible to stop the diseases in its tracks; why an understanding of our genetics could be vital to stave off the disease and how people can volunteer to be part of this long term study. Fit, Healthy & Happy Podcast Welcome to the Fit, Healthy and Happy Podcast hosted by Josh and Kyle from Colossus...Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the showThe Live Long and Master Aging (LLAMA) podcast, a HealthSpan Media LLC production, shares ideas but does not offer medical advice.  If you have health concerns of any kind, or you are considering adopting a new diet or exercise regime, you should consult your doctor.

Herb Alpert, at the age of 82, is showing no signs of slowing down. The American musician has enjoyed a long and hugely successful career as a trumpet player, bandleader, composer, record company co-founder and philanthropist. Healthy and vibrant, the octogenarian lives a full life, touring, performing and nurturing young talent though the Herb Alpert Foundation, where the mission is to “promote compassion and creativity” in society.  Herb Alpert and The Tijuana Brass burst on to the music scene the early1960s. Herb is the “A’ in A&M Records, where he had the foresight to sign the Carpenters, Cat Stevens, The Police and many others. As a solo artist Herb had a number one hit with the instrumental track, Rise.  He is also an accomplished artist and sculptor and has been happily married to the signer Lani Hall for more than 40 years. In this wide-ranging interview Herb explains why he feels three decades younger than his biological age; how he revels in exploring new technology to create music and why he embraces every day with boyish enthusiasm. Find out more about The Herb Alpert FoundationHerb's latest album, the Christmas Wish, is out now. Listen at herbalpert.comHerb is constantly touring.  See where he is appearing next.RelatedYou might also enjoy Floyd Norman: 82-year old Disney legend defying ageist stereotypes and still working to stay young Fit, Healthy & Happy Podcast Welcome to the Fit, Healthy and Happy Podcast hosted by Josh and Kyle from Colossus...Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the showThe Live Long and Master Aging (LLAMA) podcast, a HealthSpan Media LLC production, shares ideas but does not offer medical advice.  If you have health concerns of any kind, or you are considering adopting a new diet or exercise regime, you should consult your doctor.

We are living longer and the pace of population aging is growing faster than ever. Globally, the proportion of people over 60 years old will almost double by 2050. Aging comes with many challenges - from health and wellbeing to housing, mobility and maintaining social networks. The AARP (American Association of Retired Persons) caters for the social welfare needs of nearly 38 million Americans. Lisa Marsh Ryerson is president of AARP Foundation, the organization’s charitable affiliate. The foundation focuses on support programs and initiatives to help older people, especially those living in poverty. It is currently collaborating with a pilot program to connect senior citizens with transportation. In this in-depth interview, recorded at the University of Southern California’s annual Body Computing Conference, Lisa explains how she has been inspired by her work to help others achieve purpose and happiness; why ‘elderly’ may not be the best word to define older adults; what it means to be an "intentional neighbor" and why she believes a mindful attitude helps in planning for the 100-year life.Show notes and linksLisa discusses a pilot project announced at USC Body Computing Conference to study how the health of older populations can be improved by helping them become more mobile. The pilot is a collaboration with the insurance company UnitedHealth and the ride sharing company Lyft.  What is AARP Foundation?Related past episodes34: Dan Trigub - Lyft's plan to reimagine transportation to improve healthcare for older people11: Edith Avise - Sharing longevity secrets at 100 years of age and tackling the challenges of a life without a car. 10: Paul Irving - Chairman of the Milken Institute’s Center for the Future of Aging - promoting purposeful aging and fighting for older people Fit, Healthy & Happy Podcast Welcome to the Fit, Healthy and Happy Podcast hosted by Josh and Kyle from Colossus...Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the showThe Live Long and Master Aging (LLAMA) podcast, a HealthSpan Media LLC production, shares ideas but does not offer medical advice.  If you have health concerns of any kind, or you are considering adopting a new diet or exercise regime, you should consult your doctor.

Older adults often miss medical appointments because they are unable to get the hospital or doctor's office. A lack of transportation has been shown to be a major factor.  The inability to get around also leads to social isolation and loneliness and could contribute to the failing health of many senior citizens.In the age of on-demand car services, younger generations take for granted the ability to hail a relatively cheap ride, but older people are less likely to embrace the technology that makes it possible. This may be about to change, with an inspiring collaboration between several organizations with an interest in helping older people get around. The ride sharing company Lyft has teamed up with the University of Southern California (USC) Center for Body Computing and the AARP Foundation to pilot a program to connect senior citizens with transportation. With a $1 million grant from the insurance company UnitedHealth, the aim is to study how the health of older populations can be improved by helping them become more mobile.Lyft's Dan Trigub (@datrigub) works on projects to develop the company's healthcare partnerships.  In this in-depth interview he explains how the pilot scheme will work; why he views Lyft as more than just a service to take millennials to bars; how driverless cars could help older people with physical challenges; and why he believes his 3-year old son will never know what it means to have a driving license.More informationPilot project announcement at USC Body Computing ConferenceFit, Healthy & Happy Podcast Welcome to the Fit, Healthy and Happy Podcast hosted by Josh and Kyle from Colossus...Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the showThe Live Long and Master Aging (LLAMA) podcast, a HealthSpan Media LLC production, shares ideas but does not offer medical advice.  If you have health concerns of any kind, or you are considering adopting a new diet or exercise regime, you should consult your doctor.

Brianna Stubbs (@BriannaStubbs) has been a competitive athlete all her life. At the age of 12, in 2004, she became the youngest person to row across the English Channel.  She went on to win a gold medal with the GB Rowing Team at the 2016 World Rowing Championships and twice rowed for Oxford in the Women’s Boat Race against Cambridge.  Alongside her athletic endeavors, Brianna pursued an academic career, completing her PhD in metabolic biochemistry at Oxford. She is particularly interested in the effects of exogenous ketones on human performance. Earlier this year she joined the San Francisco biohacking company HVMN to pursue her research into the science of human enhancement.  In this in-depth interview Brianna breaks down the theory and shares her understanding of ketone supplementation to promote physical performance. She also describes a day in the life of a semi-retired British athlete, discovering a new life and occasionally fasting in sunny California.Fit, Healthy & Happy Podcast Welcome to the Fit, Healthy and Happy Podcast hosted by Josh and Kyle from Colossus...Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the showThe Live Long and Master Aging (LLAMA) podcast, a HealthSpan Media LLC production, shares ideas but does not offer medical advice.  If you have health concerns of any kind, or you are considering adopting a new diet or exercise regime, you should consult your doctor.