living healthy longer
by Colorado State University's Columbine Health Systems Center for Healthy Aging
We’re decoding the science of healthy aging, bringing it out of the lab and into the homes of a broader public. living healthy longer covers the latest in the biological, cognitive, psychological, social, and behavioral aspects of getting older—from research happening at Colorado State University, to interventions and community programs supporting our ever-growing, aging population, to news headlines that challenge what we thought we knew about aging. Join hosts from the Columbine Health Systems Center for Healthy Aging at Colorado State University as we break down what science says about living a longer, healthier life.
Episodes
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Climate Change and Population Aging with Dr. Mick Smyer: Season 4 Finale
Michael "Mick" Smyer, former provost and emeritus professor of psychology at Bucknell University, is now the founder and CEO of Growing Greener, an initiative dedicated to mobilizing older adults to take action on climate change. In this season 4 finale, we discuss strategies for navigating...
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Bubble Wrap is for Packages, Not People with Dr. Anita Bundy
Anita Bundy, an occupational therapist at CSU, discusses the vital role of play throughout life – from childhood to older adulthood. She explains how "risky play" helps children develop physically, cognitively, and emotionally, and how play remains important for older adults. Through sports and...
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Addressing the Home Health Workforce Gap with Nancy Murray
Nancy Murray, an economic development specialist with Larimer County, joins to discuss an Opportunity Now grant aimed at addressing Colorado's caregiver shortage. With over 684,000 annual openings projected nationwide for home health aides, Murray explores challenges of low wages and high…
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Life After Caregiving with Dr. Julie Silver Seidle
Assistant Professor Julie Silver Seidle, an occupational therapist specializing in older adulthood, shares insights from her 2020 dissertation about the emotional and physical challenges caregivers face during bereavement. She also explores resilience and finding identity and purpose...
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UTIs, Delirium and Cognitive Decline with Drs. Julie Moreno and Amanda Latham
Assistant Professor Julie Moreno and recently graduated Ph.D. student Amanda Latham of CSU's Toxicology program join to discuss the surprising cognitive impacts of urinary tract infections. This episode explores how UTIs can lead to delirium and neurodegeneration, the role of the brain’s immune...
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Intergenerational Learning with Dr. Grace Borlee
Grace Borlee, an assistant professor of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, describes an intergenerational learning project in which MIP students were paired with older adult volunteers to complete a lab experiment. The pilot project explores the benefits of intergenerational learning for…
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Myelin and Memory with Dr. Aga Burzynska
Aga Burzynska, an associate professor at CSU and director of The BRAiN Lab, shares her latest research, published in Neurobiology of Aging, which studied 141 adults aged 20 to 80. Burzynska's team found that myelin, the protective insulation around nerves, peaks in our 40s and 50s before…
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Skin Care and Aging with Dr. Saranya Wyles
Dr. Saranya Wyles, a dermatologist from the Mayo Clinic, delves into the science of skin aging and the reasoning behind common age-related skin concerns, like wrinkles, age spots, and skin thinning and sagging. She shares a basic skin care routine (with just three products!) that everyone should...
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Health Care Access with HHS Regional Director Lily Griego
Regional Director Lily Griego from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services discusses recent initiatives impacting adults in Colorado, including the HHS's mission to address maternal care, mental health destigmatization, and rural health care accessibility, along with the Inflation...
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Supporting Caregivers with Dr. Meara Faw
Associate Professor of Communication Studies Meara Faw explores the complexities of caregiving, including statistics on its prevalence, the challenges faced by care partners, and the unique needs they encounter. Faw shares insights from her research on improving caregiver and care-recipient...
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Shifting Dynamics of Long-Term Care with Dr. Greg Gahm
Dr. Greg Gahm – a geriatrician, Corporate Medical Director for Vivage Senior Living, and an Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine at CU Anschutz – discusses the long-term care industry over the decades, including the different types of long-term care available, standards of care provided, and...
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Should There Be Age Limits for Politicians? A Panel Discussion
Amidst the ongoing debate over whether Presidents Biden and Trump are "too old" to run for president again, our season 4 premiere offers a compelling panel discussion. At the crossroads of healthy aging, anti-ageism, political science, and principles of democracy, this episode revisits a...
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Challenges to Advancing Aging Research: Season 3 Finale
Today's episode revisits every guest from season 3 of living healthy longer and their answers to the S3 standing question: Can you identify a major challenge in your field that must be overcome to see real improvements in healthspan or healthy aging research? ___ Fill out the podcast feedback…
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The Dog Aging Project with Dr. Kate E. Creevy
Dr. Kate E. Creevy is a board-certified small animal veterinary internist at Texas A&M University with a primary research interest in canine longevity and healthspan. Creevy – a founder of the Dog Aging Project – shares some interesting findings about diet, cognitive function and physical…
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Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities with Dr. Ronica Rooks
According to the CDC, health disparities are "preventable differences in the burden of disease...that are experienced by socially disadvantaged populations." Ronica Rooks, a professor of health and behavioral sciences at CU-Denver, joins to discuss racial and ethnic health disparities affecting...
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Balance Fitness for Longer Healthspan with Dr. Ava Segal
Ava Segal is the founder and CEO of Steadi Systems, a health-tech startup out of Golden, CO that is providing solutions for better balance health and awareness. In this episode, Segal discusses the importance of balance fitness and introduces us to Steadiplay: an engaging balance training tool…
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Muscle Strength and Alzheimer's Risk with Dr. Shelby Osburn
Is it possible that researchers can find signs of future cognitive decline in muscles before the brain ever shows a deficit? Shelby Osburn, a postdoctoral researcher in CSU's Healthspan Biology Lab, thinks yes. In this episode, Osburn describes her recent proposal to examine the fascinating...
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From Virus to Virus with Dr. Greg Ebel
Greg Ebel, a professor and director of CSU's Center for Vector-Borne Infectious Diseases, discusses his lab’s history of surveillance and prevention strategies for arboviruses (West Nile, dengue and Zika viruses), and how that work poised his team to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic early in 2020.
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Nontuberculous Infection with Drs. Alan Schenkel and Ed Chan
About five years ago, some patients in Denver were suffering from a stubborn lung disease that, despite ongoing treatments, was not responding to antibiotics. Patients' symptoms kept worsening, and Drs. Alan Schenkel and Ed Chan were curious. Tune in to hear them describe NTM infection, a lung...
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Prions and Alzheimer's with Dr. Candace Mathiason
Associate Professor of Pathobiology Candace Mathiason introduces us to the weird ways of prions and how they can be used as models for Alzheimer’s disease in humans. Mathiason describes her past research in retroviruses and the approach her lab is taking to develop tests that can detect…
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Depression and Cognitive Decline with Dr. Stephen Aichele
Dr. Stephen Aichele, a quantitative psychologist at CSU, describes the relationship between depression and cognitive decline, and how data science methods can be used to determine predictors of cognitive changes. We briefly discuss the effects of air pollution and lead exposure on cognitive...
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The Aging Heart with Dr. Zhijie Wang
Zhijie Wang, an assistant professor in CSU’s School of Biomedical Engineering, discusses the anatomy of the heart and why the right ventricle has historically been viewed as the “forgotten chamber" in research. We also discuss tissue engineering as a therapy for heart failure and disease.…
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Everything About Sleep with Dr. Josiane Broussard
Josiane Broussard – an assistant professor in the Department of Health and Exercise Science and the director of the Sleep and Metabolism Lab at CSU – explains the importance of sleep and why this essential behavior is key to every process in the body. How do our sleeping patterns change with age,...
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Your Brain on Nature with Dr. Sara LoTemplio
Sara LoTemplio – a new assistant professor in CSU’s Human Dimensions of Natural Resources department – is here to talk about the restorative effects of nature on the brain. From indigenous teachings, to how the heart and brain respond to being outdoors, LoTemplio shares her preliminary ideas on…
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An Exciting Future for Aging Research: Season 2 Finale
Today's episode revisits every guest from Season 2 of living healthy longer and what makes them most excited for the future of aging studies. Where is aging research going and what makes CHA affiliate faculty hopeful? Our show will return for Season 3 in January 2023! Sign up for our newsletter…
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Women Leaders in STEM with Drs. Nicole Ehrhart and Lise Youngblade
Today's show is a special two-part episode with the Health and Human Science Matters podcast, hosted by the College of Health and Human Sciences' Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies, Matt Hickey, and the college’s Digital Media Strategist, Avery Martin. We teamed up to speak with…
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Connecting Through Dance with Lisa Morgan
Lisa Morgan, an instructor in CSU’s School of Music, Theatre, and Dance, discusses how it feels physically and emotionally to connect with others through the art of dance. Morgan shares the cognitive benefits of movement through dance and introduces her Moving Through Parkinson's program, a dance...
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Yoga and Brain Injury with Drs. Jaclyn Stephens and Arlene Schmid
Jaclyn Stephens and Arlene Schmid, faculty in CSU’s Department of Occupational Therapy, join to share an update about a study that aims to build support for yoga therapy as a treatment for disability and chronic brain injury. Read more on CSU's SOURCE or from the Boettcher Foundation.
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The Bio-Aging Study with Dr. Tom LaRocca
Assistant Professor Tom LaRocca from CSU's Department of Health and Exercise Science is back to tell us about a new study from his lab that is investigating repetitive elements in the genome as biomarkers for aging. View the recruitment flyer for the Bio-Aging Study. To volunteer for the study,...
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Lifespan Technology Use with Dr. Adela Chen
Associate Professor Adela Chen from CSU’s Department of Computer Information Systems describes how social media use relates to early childhood experiences, and how the boundaries between our professional and personal lives are blurred by the use of technology at work and at home.
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Aging Policy in Colorado with Jodi Waterhouse
Jodi Waterhouse is the director of outreach programs at the University of Colorado Anschutz Multidisciplinary Center on Aging. Beyond creating programs for the Center, Jodi is also an advocate at the state capitol for issues facing older Coloradans. Here we talk with Jodi about two bills that aim...
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Regenerative Medicine 2.0 with Dr. Nicole Ehrhart
CHA director, Dr. Nicole Ehrhart, joins us to discuss regenerative medicine, a line of research that helps to repair or regrow damaged tissue and organs. Ehrhart discusses stem cell therapy as a foundation for regenerative medicine, and then explains a new, cutting-edge approach to addressing...
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Financial Security and Cognitive Health with Dr. Eric Chess
Dr. Eric Chess is a physician, lawyer, and the Director of The Paul Freeman Financial Security Program at the Knoebel Institute for Healthy Aging at the University of Denver. Here, we discuss the intersection of financial security and cognitive health, research at that intersection, as well as...
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An Aging Workforce with Dr. Gwen Fisher
Dr. Gwen Fisher is a researcher in CSU's Occupational Health Psychology Lab, which studies issues of worker health and well-being and characteristics of the work environment that impact individuals and organizations. This conversation is all about the future of work: trends, gaps, and hot topics...
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Big Data and Health Inequities with Dr. Audrey Ruple
Audrey Ruple is the veterinary epidemiologist on the Dog Aging Project, an open access data science study to understand how genes, lifestyle, and environment influence aging. In this episode, we discuss genetic similarities between dogs and humans, the underrepresentation of diverse groups in…
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Cancer and Aging with Dr. James DeGregori
Cancer and aging share seven of the nine hallmarks of aging, meaning that the molecular mechanisms that prompt aging often promote cancer, too. We talk to James DeGregori, a professor in the University of Colorado School of Medicine, to sort out why cancer and aging share such similarities....
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Trauma from Dogs to People with Dr. Kelly Hall
Dr. Kelly Hall, an associate professor of emergency and critical care at CSU, discusses physical trauma: serious injuries to the body, and how companion animals are teaching us about humans’ capacity for healing into older age. We also learn about about the Veterinary Committee on Trauma (VetCOT)...
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Aging in Place with Dr. Maria Delgado
The National Institute on Aging defines aging in place as "staying in your own home as you get older," though there are many barriers to aging in place, including affordability, disability, and home design. Assistant Professor of Design and Merchandising, Maria Delgado, introduces us to universal...
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Communication at End of Life with Dr. Jen Currin-McCulloch
Dr. Jen Currin-McCulloch, a social worker at CSU, tells us about strategies for meaning-making at end of life: How do we pursue hope despite a debilitating diagnosis? How do we meaningfully reflect on our lives as time becomes more precious? Currin-McCulloch shares how we can communicate with...
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Best Advice for Healthy Aging: Season 1 Finale
Today's episode revisits every guest from Season 1 of living healthy longer and their best advice for healthy aging. Our show will return for Season 2 in January 2022! Sign up for our newsletter at healthyaging.colostate.edu for updates in the meantime.
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The Colorado Longitudinal Study with Meredith Guerrero
The Colorado Longitudinal Study intends to build the world’s most comprehensive collection of biological samples from humans — longitudinally and paired with participants' medical histories and social determinants of health. Hear from Meredith Guerrero, COO of COLS, on what biobanking is and how...
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Hospital-at-Home Healthcare with Dr. Christine Lum Lung
Dr. Christine Lum Lung, CEO and founder of Origin Healthcare, introduces us to the hospital-at-home model of healthcare, which is bringing high-level, multidisciplinary care to patients in the comfort of their own homes. We discuss how hospital-at-home is different than a typical inpatient…
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Anti-Aging Diets with Dr. Devin Wahl
As dietary interventions, caloric restriction and intermittent fasting have been shown in animal studies to extend healthspan and reduce age-related diseases. Devin Wahl, a postdoctoral research associate in CSU's Healthspan Biology Lab, takes us through what caloric restriction and intermittent...
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Nutrition Tips for Healthy Aging with Shelby Cox
Shelby Cox, RDN, director of the Kendall Reagan Nutrition Center at CSU, joins us to share general nutrition advice for healthy aging. We discuss how nutritional needs change as we get older and what a balanced diet includes for a healthy lifestyle. Cox shares strategies to make healthy eating...
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Arthritis from Dogs to People with Dr. Felix Duerr
Felix Duerr, an associate professor of Orthopedic Medicine and Mobility at CSU’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital, is interested in solving musculoskeletal problems to improve quality of life. In this episode, we focus on arthritis and the treatments and therapies that Duerr is researching to benefit...
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The Benefits of Yoga with Dr. Arlene Schmid
Professor Arlene Schmid is a researcher who blends occupational therapy with yoga interventions to help people with chronic disabilities and diseases. In this episode, we discuss the basics of yoga, how to engage in a practice if you’ve never done yoga before, and we discuss Schmid’s research on...
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How a Hug Transformed Pandemic Isolation with Peggy Budai
Peggy Budai, a nurse practitioner with the Older Adult and Palliative Care programs at UCHealth, tells us how she imagined the idea for a "hug tunnel" to combat social isolation when residents in long-term care facilities were unable to visit with family members during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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The Importance of Social Connection with Dr. Gloria Luong
When we think about healthy aging, we often think of our diets, fitness routines, getting enough sleep — but how often do we think about the energy we put into our social networks? In this episode, Associate Professor Gloria Luong talks to us about the difference between social isolation and...
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Cellular Mechanisms of Neurodegeneration with Dr. Julie Moreno
Julie Moreno — an assistant professor in CSU's Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences — examines the mechanisms that prompt neurons and other brain cells to become inflamed, leading to Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. Here we discuss the processes that happen in the...
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Aging in Outer Space with Dr. Susan Bailey
Professor Susan Bailey from CSU's Department of Environmental & Radiological Health Sciences joins us to discuss her project with the NASA Twins Study, an investigation of identical twin astronauts Scott and Mark Kelly that aims to identify factors in spaceflight that influence human health in...
About this show
We’re decoding the science of healthy aging, bringing it out of the lab and into the homes of a broader public. living healthy longer covers the latest in the biological, cognitive, psychological, social, and behavioral aspects of getting older—from research happening at Colorado State University, to interventions and community programs supporting our ever-growing, aging population, to news headlines that challenge what we thought we knew about aging. Join hosts from the Columbine Health Systems Center for Healthy Aging at Colorado State University as we break down what science says about living a longer, healthier life.
Hosted by
Colorado State University's Columbine Health Systems Center for Healthy Aging