COMING UP ON THE SEASON PREMIER OF "CYCLE OF HEALTH," Dr. RICH O'NEILL AND A PANEL OF EXPERTS BREAK DOWN THE LATEST GUIDELINES FOR LIVING LONGER LIVES FROM EXERCISE AND NUTRITION TO THE IMPORTANCE OF HUMAN CONNECTION.

AND LATER, THE DEBUT OF A BRAND NEW SEGMENT, MEDICAL STUDENT MINUTE.

BELINDA GIVES INSIGHT INTO THE CONSEQUENCES OF SOCIAL ISOLATION ON YOUR HEALTH.

THAT'S COMING UP ON PSYCH "CYCLE OF HEALTH."

DON'T GO ANYWHERE.

♪ ♪ HELLO AND WELCOME TO A BRAND NEW SEASON OF CYCLE OF HEALTH.

I'M YOUR HOST, DR.RICH O'NEILL.

TONIGHT'S TOPIC: HOW DO WE LENGTHEN OUR LONGEVITY AND HOW DO WE STAY OUT OF THE NURSING HOME?

THANKS TO THE WONDERS OF SCIENCE, WE'VE GONE FROM LIVING AN AVERAGE OF LESS THAN 40 YEARS AROUND THE 1800'S TO LIVING ABOUT 80 YEARS NOW, WITH MANY OF US GETTING TO 100 AND BEYOND.

I'M GOING FOR 103.

OUR THREE EXPERTS, AN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST, A PHYSICAL THERAPIST AND A WHO THE HECK KNOWS WHAT THEY DO?

WE'LL FIND OUT.

AND A PSYCHOLOGIST SAYS THE CENTRAL ISSUE IS NO LONGER HOW TO ADD YEARS TO OUR LIFE BUT HOW TO ADD LIFE TO OUR YEARS.

SO LET'S MEET OUR THREE EXPERTS.

JOINING US TODAY ARE DR. SANDRA TARS, CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST AND GERONTOLOGIST; MS. TARA PRICE, OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST AT UPSTATE MEDICAL UNIVERSITY; AND DR. SAMANTHA MORIN, BOARD CERTIFIED SPECIALIST IN GERIATRIC PHYSICAL THERAPY, ALSO VISITING US TODAY FROM UPSTATE MEDICAL UNIVERSITY.

SO, FOLKS, SO HOW DO WE NOT ONLY ADD YEARS BUT ADD LIFE TO OUR YEARS?

OFF WE GO.

>> WELL, THERE ARE A FEW SIMPLE THINGS WE CAN DO, RICH, THAT WILL MAKE A TREMENDOUS IMPACT ON OUR ABILITY TO REALLY THRIVE AS WE AGE.

ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT: EXERCISE.

KEEPING BOTH PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY ACTIVE IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING YOU CAN DO TO JUST WHAT YOU SAID.

>> I'M ALREADY DOING EXERCISE.

I'M HAPPY WITH THAT.

KEEP GOING, SANDY.

>> ALL RIGHT.

YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU HAVE CARDIO EXERCISE THAT GETS YOUR HEART GOING.

THAT YOU DO SOMETHING WITH WEIGHTS, INCLUDING YOUR BODY WEIGHT.

>> TWO FOR TWO SO FAR.

>> AND BALANCE.

>> BALANCE, OKAY.

>> VERY IMPORTANT AS WE AGE.

>> I CAN SEE SAMANTHA NODDING OVER THERE.

SHE IS GOING TO TELL US ABOUT BALANCE.

>> IN TERMS OF KEEPING YOUR BRAIN ACTIVE, WE NEED TO BE DOING NEW THINGS THAT STIMULATE OUR BRAIN, NOT JUST THE SAME OLD ROUTINE, IN ORDER TO KEEP THOSE NEURONS GROWING AND THRIVING AND THE BLOOD SUPPLY GOING.

SO THAT'S ANOTHER THING.

>> MY FATHER WOULD SAY MY ALLEGED MIND.

SO I GOT TO GET THAT ALLEGED MIND BUILT AND KEEP IT GOING.

THAT SOUNDS GOOD.

>> YOU BROUGHT IN YOUR FATHER.

SOCIAL STIMULATION.

WE NEED TO HAVE PEOPLE IN OUR LIVES, IT'S ESSENTIAL.

WE NEED THEM TO MAKE US LAUGH, TO PROVIDE SUPPORT WHEN WE NEED IT, JUST TO HAVE SOMEONE TO TALK THINGS THROUGH WITH.

SO PEOPLE, YOU GOT TO KEEP THE SOCIAL CIRCLES ACTIVE.

KEEP MAKING NEW FRIENDS AND ACQUAINTANCES BECAUSE PEOPLE MOVE AWAY AS WE AGE.

PEOPLE MAY DIE.

AND WE HAVE TO-- >> NO!

I'M NOT DYING!

THAT'S NOT FOR ME.

I'M NOT HAVING ANY OF THAT.

>> YOU ARE YOUNGER THAN I AM.

SO YOU ARE GOING TO BE HERE.

>> SO WE GOT TO DO SOCIAL THINGS LIKE THIS.

LIKE IF I WAS SITTING HERE ALL BY MYSELF, IT WOULD BE PRETTY BORING BUT WITH YOU GUYS IT'S A LOT MORE STIMULATING.

WE SHOULD DO THAT KIND OF THING.

AND I NOTICE YOU KEEP NATURALLY LOOKING AT PEOPLE.

YOU ARE A GOOD NATURAL SOCIAL CONNECTOR.

>> SHE IS MY NEW FRIEND.

>> WHY DON'T YOU TELL US-- I USED TO SEE YOU AT THE GYM.

>> YEP.

>> NOW, I NEVER KNEW YOU WERE AN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST AND HERE WE MEET NOW FINALLY.

WHAT THE HECK DO OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS DO?

I HAVE NEVER KNOWN.

>> I WOULD LOVE TO ANSWER THAT QUESTION, RICH.

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY IS CONCERNED WITH EVERYTHING YOU DO FROM THE TIME YOU GET UP UNTIL THE TIME YOU GO TO BED.

IT'S BATHING, DRESSING, TOILETING.

BALANCING YOUR CHECKBOOK.

IT'S GOING OUT FOR LUNCH WITH MY NEW FRIEND, SANDY.

YOU KNOW EVERYTHING YOU DO IS AN OCCUPATION.

>> SO HOW DO YOU-- I KNOW YOU AND SAMANTHA WORK TOGETHER.

>> YES, WE DO.

>> HOW DO YOU FIT IN HERE, SAMANTHA?

HOW DO OCCUPATIONAL AND PHYSICAL THERAPISTS WORK TOGETHER?

>> IN ORDER TO DO THE THINGS THAT YOU NEED TO DO EVERY DAY, YOU NEED TO BE ABLE TO MOVE SAFELY.

SO THAT'S OF WHERE WE WORK TOGETHER TO GET THOSE THINGS, GET PEOPLE STRONGER SO THAT THEY CAN DO THOSE THINGS THAT THEY NEED TO DO EVERY DAY IN THEIR EVERYDAY LIVES.

SO WE CAN WORK ON STRENGTHENING FOR THAT SO YOU ARE ABLE TO STAND UP AND SIT DOWN FROM A LOWER SURFACE.

>> LIKE THE TOILET.

>> YEP.

>> WHICH I UNDERSTAND, BY THE WAY, IS ONE OF THE MAIN REASONS THAT PEOPLE END UP IN A NURSING HOME BECAUSE THEY CAN'T STAND UP AND SIT DOWN ON THE TOILET.

SO THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT.

>> THAT'S HUGE.

THAT'S ONE OF THE-- >> YOU DON'T WANT TO GO TO THE NURSING HOME.

>> IF YOU THINK ABOUT HOW MANY TIMES YOU STAND UP AND SIT DOWN IN ONE DAY.

THAT'S A LOT OF TIMES.

>> A LOT OF TIMES.

>> DEFINITELY KEEP THAT SKILL UP IS A GREAT THING TO DO.

>> SOMEBODY TOLD ME A GOOD WAY TO DO THAT, A SIMPLE WAY IS EVERY TIME YOU STAND UP FROM A CHAIR, DO IT TWICE.

IS THAT LIKE A GOOD RUBRIC.

>> DEFINITELY.

YOU CAN EVEN ADD THAT.

YOU CAN DO SEVERAL TIMES IN A ROW.

THAT ADD AS ROBIC CAPACITY TO IT AS WELL SO YOU CAN GET THE HEART PUMPING A LITTLE BIT MORE, NOT JUST YOUR STRENGTH.

>> TELL ME HOW TO DO IT.

WHAT DO I DO HERE?

>> WE WOULD LOVE IF EVERYONE COULD STAND UP WITHOUT USING THEIR ARMS.

>> WITHOUT USING YOUR ARMS.

SO I CAN'T-- >> NOT HERE, NOT ON YOUR LEGS, MAYBE LIKE ACROSS YOUR CHEST.

>> I CAN'T DO THAT BECAUSE OF THE MIC.

>> CAN YOU TRY IT?

>> JUST STAND UP FROM THE CHAIR WITHOUT DOING ANYTHING?

I HAVE TO GET MY FEET UNDERNEATH ME.

>> GO TO THE EDGE A LITTLE BIT.

THAT MIGHT HELP.

>> SCOOT MY BUTT OUT HERE.

>> THAT'S MUCH EASIER.

LOOK AT THAT PHYSICAL THERAPY.

YOU GUYS KNOW HOW TO DO THIS.

OKAY, THAT'S GOOD.

HOW DID I DO?

>> EXCELLENT.

FIVE TIMES IN A ROW.

TRY THAT.

>> YOU ARE REALLY A TOUGH TASK MASTER HERE.

>> TWO, I GET TO COUNT THE FIRST ONE, I HOPE.

>> YOU DO.

>> 3, 4...

OKAY.

THIS IS PRETTY DWOOD.

I FEEL A LITTLE BURN THERE.

5.

ALL RIGHT.

>> NICE JOB.

THE CREW IS SUPPOSED TO BE CLAPPING HERE, TOO, YOU GUYS.

THEY DON'T APPRECIATE ME.

OKAY.

WELL THAT WAS GOOD.

>> YES.

AND IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO DO IT WITHOUT YOUR ARMS, YOU CAN USE YOUR ARMS ON THE CHAIR, YOUR KNEES, USE ONE HAND.

ALSO HIGHER SURFACES ARE EASIER.

>> SO AS YOU ARE BUILDING UP-- >> CORRECT.

>> TO BEING ABLE TO GET UP.

HOPEFULLY THAT IS THE GOAL.

>> THE END GOAL EXACTLY.

>> BUT YOU CAN HELP YOURSELF OUT BY USING THE ARMS OF A CHAIR AND YOU REALLY PROBABLY WANT TO REALLY STABLE CHAIR.

>> DEFINITELY.

DIFFERENT HEIGHTS WILL HELP, TOO.

JUST KIND OF BE CAREFUL AROUND YOUR HOME THAT YOU ARE PICKING FURNITURE OR THINGS THAT YOU ARE NOT TOO LOW TO THE GROUND, THINGS LIKE THAT.

SO IF YOU ARE ABLE TO DO THAT FROM A HIGHER SURFACE... >> ACTUALLY, I MEAN I'M THE ELDEST HERE SO I CAN SAY, RIGHT NOW WE ARE LOOKING AT OUR HOUSE IN WAYS THAT WE CAN MAKE IT MORE SUPPORTIVE FOR US AS WE AGE.

AND HAVING FURNITURE THAT IS COMFORTABLE THAT IS AT AN APPROPRIATE HEIGHT,.

>> VERY IMPORTANT.

>> LOOKING AT PREVENTIVE STEPS TO PREVENT FALLS, GETTING RID OF SCATTER RUGS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

I'M SURE SAMANTHA AND TARA CAN GIVE US MORE TIPS.

BUT GETTING IT SO THAT WE CAN MANAGE ALL ON ONE FLOOR IF WE NEED TO, LIKE WE ARE GOING TO PUT IN A LAUNDRY ON THE MAIN FLOOR.

>> VERY GOOD.

>> I SEE YOU NODDING.

ADD IN WHAT YOU... >> MOST ACCIDENTS HAPPEN IN THE BEDROOM BECAUSE THE PROPER LIGHTING.

YOU DON'T HAVE THE RIGHT LIGHTING.

YOU DON'T KNOW WHERE YOUR SHOES ARE.

YOU HAVE A RUG THERE.

>> YOU HAVE TO PEE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT.

YOU GET UP.

YOU DON'T WANT TO TURN THE LIGHT ON BECAUSE IT WILL WAKE YOU UP.

>> OR YOUR SPOUSE UP.

AND THEN YOU DO A FALL.

SECOND PLACE IS THE BATHROOM BECAUSE YOU KNOW, NO GRAB BARS, LOW TOILET, GETTING IN AND OUT OF THE SHOWER OR THE TUB SHOWER.

PEOPLE DON'T THINK ABOUT THINGS LIKE THAT AS THEY'RE BUYING A HOUSE.

YOU HAVE TO THINK IF YOU ARE GOING TO LIVE IN THAT HOUSE, YOU KNOW, YOU NEED TO MAKE-- >> I'M GOING TO GET OLD IN THIS HOUSE.

I NEED TO BE ABLE TO GET IN AND OUT TO BATHE MYSELF.

SOMETHING TO SIT.

WHERE IS THE LAUNDRY.

NOBODY WANTS TO GO INTO THE BASEMENT.

MOST BASEMENT STAIRS ARE AT A VERY STEEP ANGLE AND A LOT OF PEOPLE FALL DOWN THEIR BASEMENT STAIRS.

>> YOU WANT TO DESIGN-- THINK EITHER BUY A HOUSE THAT'S DESIGNED FOR THAT, WHICH PEOPLE CAN DO.

OF COURSE ALL NURSING HOMES ARE BASICALLY ON ONE FLOOR, RIGHT?

>> WALK-IN BATHROOM.

>> AND NO STAIRS.

AND THERE ARE THOSE WALK-IN SHOWERS.

SO DO THAT IN THE GRAB BARS.

>> VERY IMPORTANT.

>> I FEEL LIKE THAT'S SOMETHING WE SEE A LOT WHEN PEOPLE COME INTO THE HOSPITAL.

THAT'S ONE OF THE BIGGEST BARRIERS TO GO BACK HOME ARE ARCHITECTURAL BARRIERS IN THEIR HOME.

SO THEY HAVE-- THEY LIVE ON THE SECOND FLOOR.

THEY HAVE A WHOLE FLIGHT OF STAIRS WITHOUT A RAILING.

SO THAT'S VERY DIFFICULT TO DO THAT, ESPECIALLY IF YOU HAVE BEEN ILL AND DECONDITIONED IN THE HOSPITAL.

SO I KNOW IT'S DIFFICULT MAKING CHANGES BECAUSE EVERYONE GETS USED TO WHAT THEY LIKE.

THEY RAISE THEIR KIDS IN THEIR HOUSE MAYBE.

THEY'VE ALWAYS LIVED THERE.

THEY DON'T WANT TO MOVE.

BUT THAT'S ONE OF THE BIGGEST THINGS THAT WE SEE WHAT ENDS UP HAVING PEOPLE LEAVE THEIR HOME AND GO INTO NURSING HOMES, GO INTO FACILITIES IS JUST NOT ACCESSIBLE.

EVEN STAIRS TO GET INTO THE HOUSE FROM THE OUTSIDE, BEING ABLE TO-- IF YOU CAN'T AVOID THAT ALL TOGETHER, TRY TO PUT RAILINGS UP.

>> GRAB BAR NEAR THE DOOR.

>> OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

THOSE ARCHITECTURAL BARRIERS IN YOUR HOME ARE A BIG BARRIER TO DISCHARGE FROM THE HOSPITAL.

>> AND CLUTTER, TOO.

YOU KNOW, MOST OF US ARE PACK RATS, AND YOU KNOW, I LIVED IN A HOUSE FOR 20 YEARS.

>> NOT ME.

>> I'M A COLLECTOR.

SO PEOPLE CAN'T EVEN GET THEIR WALKERS THROUGH THEIR HALLWAYS SOMETIMES AND SO IF YOU CAN'T GET A WALKER AND YOU NEED A DEVICE... >> SO THINK AHEAD.

>> A WHOLE OTHER-- >> START TOSSING THAT STUFF NOW, GIVING IT AWAY.

YOU CAN GIVE IT TO SANDY WHEN YOU HAVE LUNCH.

HEY, HANDY, BUT YOU GOT TO TAKE SOME STUFF WHEN YOU LEAVE.

THAT'S MY DEAL WITH PEOPLE THESE DAYS.

LISTEN.

I HAVE-- YOU KNOW, I'M NOT GOING TO TELL YOU-- I'M 72.

SO I HAVE FRIENDS WHO, FROM HIGH SCHOOL AND WE HAD A LITTLE GET TOGETHER AND ONE OF THE GUYS LIVES IN THE VILLAGES IN FLORIDA, THIS FAMOUS PLACE WHERE 70,000 HOMES.

IT'S AMAZINGLY BIG PLACE.

THEY'RE ALL ON ONE FLOOR, ALL THESE PLACES.

BUT ANYWAY, WE WENT AND I PLAYED PICKLEBALL.

THEY PLAY PICKLEBALL.

THERE ARE PICKLEBALL COURTS ALL OVER THE PLACE.

THERE ARE NO YOUNG PEOPLE, SPEAKING OF YOUNG PEOPLE, THIS IS AN INTERESTING THING.

BUT ANYWAY, I PLAYED PICKLEBALL AND I ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT BUT I THOUGHT, YOU KNOW, I USED TO HAVE TENNIS ELBOW WHEN I PLAYED SQUASH, WHICH I ABSOLUTELY LOVED, AND SO I THOUGHT I SHOULD GO TO MY PHYSICAL THERAPISTS WHO I THINK PHYSICAL THERAPY IS ONE OF THE BEST THINGS IN THE WORLD BECAUSE HOW MANY INJURIES HAVE I HAD AND YOU KNOW, SO I WENT AND WE ARE WORKING ON ME GETTING IN SHAPE IN ADVANCE.

WOULD YOU FOLKS SAY PREVENTION IS REALLY KEY?

WEIGH IN HERE, TARA.

YOU LOOK LIKE YOU ARE REALLY NODDING VIGOROUSLY HERE.

>> WHEN I WENT TO SCHOOL.

IT WAS ALWAYS ALWAYS THE MIND BODY SPIRIT CONNECTION.

THERE IS A FINANCIAL ASPECT TO IT.

WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE BODY AND STAYING ACTIVE.

>> FINANCIAL?

>> I'M NOT THERE YET, RICH.

>> I'M SORRY, BUT NO, YOU SAID THAT AND I-- >> PLANNING.

HEALTH IS WEALTH AND WEALTH IS HEALTH.

>> SAY THAT AGAIN.

>> HEALTH IS WEALTH AND WEALTH IS HEALTH.

-- I BACKED UP.

WEALTH IS HEALTH AND WEALTH IS HEATH HEALTH.

YOU HAVE TO MAKE FINANCIAL PLANNING, TOO, TO GET OLDER.

IT DOESN'T JUST HAPPEN.

A LOT OF PEOPLE THINK WHEN THEY GET OLDER THEY'LL JUST GO TO A NURSING HOME.

IT'S NOT THAT EASY BECAUSE MEDICARE DOES NOT PAY FOR TO YOU GO TO A NURSING HOME.

MEDICAID IS MORE INVOLVED THAN PEOPLE THINK AND THERE IS A THING CALLED SPEND DOWN WHICH IS A WHOLE OTHER SEGMENT FOR YOU DOWN THE ROAD.

>> WHICH MEANS BASICALLY YOU END UP GIVING YOUR HOUSE AWAY.

YOU SPEND DOWN, GET RID OF YOUR HOUSE AND YOUR CAR AND YOUR SAVINGS AND THEN YOU CAN GO IN THE NURSING HOME.

>> BUT WE DON'T WANT TO GO TO A NURSING HOME.

>> YES.

>> SO YOU ARE GOING MAKE A PLAN NOW, WHATEVER AGE YOU ARE.

I JUST TURNED 60 AND I HAVE A PLAN AND ACTION FOR MAKING MODIFICATIONS.

BUT MODIFICATIONS TO YOUR HOME COST MONEY.

YOU KNOW, IF YOU HAVE SOMEBODY WHO IS DISABLED, IT'S GOING TO COST MONEY FOR THEM TO HAVE A CAREGIVER POSSIBLY.

>> TAKE CARE OF THEM, YES.

>> AND RIGHT,000 PEOPLE WHO HAVE LIKE ALZHEIMER'S, IT'S COSTING UP TO $340,000 TO CARE FOR SOMEBODY THAT HAS GOT DEMENTIA.

>> WOW.

>> AND THAT'S A LOT OF MONEY.

BUT MONEY, HAVE YOU TO PLAN.

YOU HAVE TO LOOK AT YOUR FINANCIAL ASSETS.

YOU HAVE TO PUT THEM IN PLACE AND HAVE A LONG-TERM PLAN.

THOSE ARE THINGS THEY NEVER TAUGHT NEWS SCHOOL.

>> THAT'S PART OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY, TOO.

>> IT'S PART OF PHYSICAL THEY'RE, PART OF PSYCHOLOGY, PLANNING WHERE YOU ARE NOW AND WHERE YOU NEED TO BE IN THE FUTURE AND WHAT YOU NEED TO GET THERE TO DO IT IF YOU NEED TO INVEST IN I DON'T ARE-- IF YOU NEED TO INVEST IN YOURSELF AND YOUR FUTURE.

>> AND IF YOU HAVE A PLAN IN PLACE, SOME FINANCIAL ASSETS, THEN IT MAKES YOU SECURE AND HAVE A MORE POSITIVE OUTLOOK, BEING CONFIDENT THAT YOU CAN ACCESS THE KIND OF SUPPORTS YOU NEED WHEN YOU NEED THEM.

I MEAN I CAN MAKE MODIFICATIONS TO MY HOME NOW.

A COUPLE YEARS AGO WE PUT IN A NEW SHOWER WITH A GRAB BAR.

ALL OF THESE, BUT IT COSTS MONEY.

>> IT DOES.

>> I'M MAKING CHANGING-- I'M MAKING CHANGES STEP BY STEP SO CAN I STAY IN MY HOME.

AGAIN, IT COSTS MONEY.

THINKING AHEAD AND PLANNING AHEAD AND ALSO FOR ALL OF US, A POSITIVE OUTLOOK.

WORKING ON THE SKILLS THAT WILL HELP US FIND A SILVER LINING, EVEN WHEN THE DARKEST DAYS COME.

>> GIVE US AN EXAMPLE OF THAT, SANDY.

>> WELL, I CAN-- MY NIECE WAS VISITING HAWAII WITH US RECENTLY AND SHE SLIPPED ON THE POOL DECK FRACTURED HER TOE.

>> NO RUNNING ON THE POOL DECK.

>> I KNOW, SHE WASN'T EVEN RUNNING.

SO SHE GOT FITTED WITH A BOOT AND SHE SAID WELL, AT LEAST IT'S NOT MY HIP.

I CAN WRACK AROUND.

-- IT'S NOT MY HIP.

I CAN WALK AROUND.

>> THE SILVER LINING.

>> POSITIVE REAPPRAISAL.

HOW CAN I MAKE WHAT HAPPENED A LITTLE MORE POSITIVE.

SHE IS NOT DENYING IT HAPPENED.

AND SHE IS TAKING CARE OF IT.

BUT SHE IS LOOKING AT IT IN A MORE POSITIVE WAY.

>> HOW DO YOU DO THAT IN YOUR LIFE?

WHAT DO YOU DO?

HOW DO YOU ADD THE GLOW TO THE DAY?

>> I USUALLY START MY DAY WITH EXERCISE.

I GO TO THE Y. I HAVE A WHOLE SOCIAL GROUP THERE.

WE EXERCISE-- >> YOU ARE DOING THE PHYSICAL, THE SOCIAL STIMULATION.

>> THEN WE COME OUT AND HAVE A CUP OF COFFEE AND CHAT TOGETHER.

IF I NEED A PHYSICAL THERAPIST, I SAY HAS ANYONE DO PHYSICAL THERAPY AND WHO SHOULD I GO TO?

SO THE SOCIAL NETWORK.

>> THAT'S THE ORIGINAL SOCIAL MEDIA BY THE WAY.

OUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> NOW IT'S A BIG GIANT-- BUT RIGHT THERE YOU GOT THEM.

SORRY TO INTERRUPT YOU.

>> I DO MEDICATION AND YOGA IS YOU NECESSITY BECAUSE YOU TRIED IT OUT WITH ME.

>> SHE WAS YELLING ATHE ME THE OTHER DAY AND I WAS HAVING TROUBLE GETTING UP OFF THE FLOOR.

I TOLD YOU TO GET SOME YOGA.

>> I AM INVOLVED IN THE COMMUNITY AS A VOLUNTEER AND SO I HAVE A SENSE OF PURPOSE WHEN I GET UP IN THE MORNING.

>> THAT'S HUGE.

IT IS.

WE WORK WITH SOME INDIVIDUALS WHO LIVE ALONE AND THEIR LIFE CONSISTS OF THE FOUR WALLS AND WHAT'S ON TV.

SOMETIMES FAMILY DOESN'T CALL.

FRIENDS STOP COMING OVER.

THEY DON'T DRIVE ANYMORE.

THEY'RE VERY ISOLATED AND THEY GET DEPRESSED AND THAT CAN LEAD TO A WHOLE MANTRA OF LIKE-- >> YOU GET DEPRESSED, YOU DIE YOUNGER.

>> PHYSICAL DISABILITIES AS WELL.

>> SO YOU WANT TO COUNTERACCOUNT THAT-- COUNTERACT THAT AND BUILD YOUR SOCIAL NETWORK AND KEEP AND STAY PHYSICALLY ACTIVE.

>> THERE ARE A LOT OF WAYS TO COMBINE THE TWO.

THERE ARE TONS OF RESOURCES OUT THERE.

THE YMCA HAS CLASSES, PARKINSON'S FOUNDATION HAS SOME IDEAS FOR EXERCISE.

SILVER SNEAKERS IS SOMETHING THROUGH MEDICARE THAT YOU CAN GO TO A GYM.

>> I LIKE THAT.

TELL US ABOUT THAT.

WHAT DO YOU MEAN MEDICARE GO TO THE GYM.

>> I'M NOT EXACTLY SURE THE INS AND OUTS OF IT BUT THERE ARE A LOT OF GYMS THAT PARTICIPATE SO IT SUPPORTS YOU GOING TO THE GYM AND GETTING EXERCISE.

>> YOU GET A CHEAPER RATE.

>> SOMETIMES IT'S EVEN FREE.

>> IS THIS CALLED MEDICARE ADVANTAGE.

>> AND THOSE PLANS, MANY OF THEM ALLOW YOU DO TO ACCESS THE Y OR THE GYM FOR NO COST OR LOW COST.

>> WE ALSO HAVE THE VITALITY PROGRAM AT UPSTATE.

>> THE VITALITY PROGRAM.

IS THAT FOR-- >> VITALITY FITNESS PROGRAM.

>> FOR OLDER PEOPLE.

>> ON THE WEBSITE THEY HAVE IT.

THEY HAVE A FACEBOOK PAGE.

THERE ARE A LOT OF RESOURCES THERE, TOO.

>> AND MOST SENIOR CENTERS HAVE EXERCISE AS PART OF THEIR PROGRAMS.

>> SO THAT COMBINES THE EXERCISE PART, WHICH IS ESSENTIAL AS WELL AS THE SOCIALIZATION PART.

>> AND NUTRITION.

WE DIDN'T TALK ABOUT THAT.

BUT EATING WELL.

>> DRINKING, STAYING HYDRATED.

LIFESTYLE CHANGES, YOU KNOW, LOOKING AT YOUR DIET.

CUTTING BACK ON ALCOHOL.

YOU KNOW, EVERYBODY KNOWS ABOUT SMOKING.

THE LESS THINGS WE DO TO HARM OUR BODY, THE HEALTHIER WE ARE SO WE CAN PARTICIPATE IN THE Y PROGRAM OR SILVER SNEAKERS OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

>> AND I REMEMBER-- WHAT IS THE NAME OF THE PROGRAM THAT IS OUT BY CARRIER CIRCLE THAT WE WERE TALKING ABOUT-- >> OASAS.

>> WHICH IS A FABULOUS SET OF ALL SORTS OF CLASSES AND THINGS FOR OLDER FOLKS AND.

>> WE ALSO HAVE A BALANCE SCREEN.

SO ONCE A YEAR WE DO A BALANCE SCREEN, PEOPLE SIGN UP FOR IT.

WE DO SOME SPECIFIC TESTS THAT ARE PREDICTIVE OF FALLS.

THINGS LIKE THAT.

SO THAT'S ANOTHER THING.

>> FRAILTY.

>> ANOTHER THING THAT PEOPLE CAN SIGN UP FOR.

>> THAT PREDICTS HOW LONG YOU ARE GOING TO LIVE, ACTUALLY, IF YOU CAN STAND ON ONE FOOT FOR A CERTAIN-- HOW LONG DO YOU HAVE TO STAND ON ONE FOOT TO LIVE A LONG TIME?

>> TECHNICALLY THE TEST IS ABOUT 30 SECONDS.

>> 30 SECONDS AND WE SHOULD PRACTICE THAT.

>> YES.

>> WE SHOULD STAND ON ONE FOOT NEAR SOMETHING WE CAN HOLD ON TO.

>> WHEN YOU ARE BRUSHING YOUR TEETH, WORK ON STANDING ON ONE FOOT.

THE COUNTERS RIGHT THERE IF YOU NEED IT.

>> THE SINK DOING DISHES... THOSE THINGS.

IF YOU CAN'T DO THAT.

>> WATCHING TV, WATCHING OUR SHOW, YOU GUYS OUT THERE, STAND UP RIGHT NOW FOR 30 SECONDS.

AND WE'LL GIVE YOU THE-- AND... >> IF YOU CAN'T DO ONE LEG, PUT YOUR FEET CLOSE TOGETHER.

A WIDER BASE OF SUPPORT IS MORE STABLE BUT THE MORE NARROW YOU MAKE YOUR FEET, THE MORE OF THE TEST OF YOUR BALANCE.

AND IF THAT IS REALLY GREAT THEN YOU CAN TRANSITION TO ONE LEG.

>> INCORPORATING THESE THINGS IN YOUR EVERYDAY LIFE IS HUGE.

THAT'S ALSO WHERE O.T.

AND P.T.

COME TOGETHER.

YOU ARE DOING DISHES, DO WHAT WE CALL EXERCISE CALLED HEEL RAISES GO UP ON YOUR TOES.

DO LIKE MINI SQUATS.

>> SQUEEZE YOUR BUTT CHEEKS TOGETHER, HOLD YOUR STOMACH IN.

>> THERE ARE TONS OF THINGS YOU CAN DO WITHOUT ANY OTHER RESOURCES.

>> JUST FIT IT INTO YOUR LIFE.

THAT SOUNDS LIKE FUN AND YOU KNOW, THIS FITS WITH PURPOSE.

MY MOTTO THESE DAYS IS I TRY TO ONLY DO THINGS THAT ARE FUN AND USEFUL.

AND THAT GIVES ME BOTH.

SO I HAVE-- AND FUN IS ALWAYS WITH PEOPLE, RIGHT?

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> AND USEFUL GIVES ME A SENSE OF LIKE, THIS IS A USEFUL THING TO DO.

I'M HAVING A GOODS TIME IN MY LIFE.

AND BEING, HAVING A PURPOSE.

>> YES.

>> WELL, FOLKS, THIS HAS BEEN A FABULOUS CONVERSATION.

THANK YOU SO MUCH BEFORE WE WRAP OUR SHOW TODAY, I WANT TO INTRODUCE YOU TO A NEW SEGMENT OF CYCLE OF HEALTH CALLED "MEDICAL STUDENT MINUTE".

THIS SEASON, WE'LL HEAR FROM MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS-IN-TRAINING ABOUT THE FASCINATING, USEFUL, AND USEFUL LESSONS THEY LEARNED IN MED SCHOOL.

THIS WEEK, MS. BELINDA TANG, FOURTH YEAR MEDICAL STUDENT CLASS OF 2025 AT UPSTATE MEDICAL UNIVERSITY, ADDS TO OUR CONVERSATION ON LONGEVITY TO EXPLAIN WHAT SHE'S LEARNED ABOUT THE LINK BETWEEN SOCIAL ISOLATION AND LIFE EXPECTANCY.

LET'S TAKE A LOOK.

HI ALL, I'M BELINDA, FOURTH YEAR MEDICAL STUDENT WITH MY MEDICAL STUDENT MINUTE.

ABOUT THE MOST INTERESTING THING I'VE LEARNED IN MEDICAL SCHOOL SO FAR.

BY NOW, EVERYONE KNOWS HOW BAD SMOKING IS.

BUT WHAT IF I TOLD YOU ABOUT SOMETHING AS DEADLY AS SMOKING?

DOCK DOCTORS RARELY TALK ABOUT IT IS NOT EATING UNHEALTH HEALTHY OR NOT EXERCISING BLAH, BLAH.

GOT A GUESS?

LONELINESS AND SOCIAL ISOLATION.

RESEARCH SHOWS THEY'RE AS DEADLY AS SMOKING 15 CIGARETTES A DAY.

HOW WILD IS THAT?

YOU CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF HEART DISEASE AND STROKE BY UP TO 30% AND DEMENTIA UP TO 50% WITH MORE DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY, TOO.

WHO KNEW CATCHING UP WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY WHAT IS WE REALLY NEED FOR OUR HEALTH.

ISOLATION AND LONELINESS ARE INCREASING FOR ALL OF US.

HIGHEST AMONG OLDER ADULTS, ESPECIALLY VULNERABLE BECAUSE AS WE GET OLDER, OUR SOCIAL CIRCLE OFTEN SHRINKS AND THERE ARE BARRIERS THAT PREVENT OLDER FOLKS FROM SOCIALIZING.

TOO.

THINK ABOUT UNCLE FRANK WITH POOR HEARING WHO SITS BY HIMSELF AT THE DINNER PARTY OR GRANDMA MARY WHO CAN'T DRIVE TO HER BRIDGE CLUB BECAUSE OF POOR EYE SIGHT.

HEARING HOW BAD ISOLATION AND LONELINESS ARE, WERE NOT TAKE TIME FOR THE SIMPLE ACT OF CONNECTING.

WE JUST MIGHT FIND MORE HEALTH AND HAPPINESS FOR OURSELVES AND OUR LOVED ONES.

I'M BELINDA, FOURTH YEAR MEDICAL STUNT AT UPSTATE MEDICAL UNIVERSITY AND WCNY WITH THIS WEEK'S SOME EL SCHOOL MINUTE.

>> HEY, HOW IS IT GOING.

>> GOOD.

HOW ARE YOU THAT'S ALL THE TIME WE HAVE.

I WANT TO THANK OUR GUESTSES... DR. SANDRA TARS, RETIRED CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST AND GERONTOLOGIST; MS. TARA PRICE, OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY.

NOW I KNOW WHAT YOU GUYS DO.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

DR. SAMANTHA MORIN, BOARD CERTIFIED SPECIALIST IN GERIATRIC PHYSICAL THERAPY, BOTH FROM UPSTATE TO HEAR OUR NEW COMPANION COMMUNITY FM RADIO SHOW, CHECK UP FROM THE NECK UP, VISIT WCNY .ORG/COMMUNITY FM.

AND IF YOU'D LIKE TO REVISIT THIS EPISODE AND PAST SEASONS OF THE SHOW, VISIT WCNY DOT ORG SLASH CYCLEOFHEATH.

FOR 'CYCLE OF HEALTH', I'M PSYCHOLOGIST DR. RICH O'NEILL.

STAY STRONG, LIVE LONG, AND WE'LL SEE YOU NEXT WEE AND PROSPER.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ NEXT WEEK ON "CYCLE OF HEALTH..." Dr. RICH O'NEILL AND A PANEL OF EXPERTS ADDRESS YOUR TOP OF MIND QUESTIONS ABOUT COMMON PUBLIC HEALTH KERNS.

>> WHEN PUBLIC HEALTH WORKS AND WORKS WELL, NO ONE HEARS ABOUT IT.

JUST BECAUSE YOU DON'T HEAR ABOUT IT, DOESN'T MEAN YOU SHOULDN'T VALUE IT.

>> AND IN THE NEXT MEDICAL STUDENT MINUTE, OLIVIA TELLS US HOW TO SPOT SIGNS OF A STREP THROAT.