Beek on being

How well will you age? What if you had the professional tools and knowledge to take control of your cognitive and physical health? Today in studio we have Susan Fox Rosellini founder of Aging like a pro to debunk the myths and give us the information we need to live longer healthier more fulfilling lives. This is Beek on being and AGING LIKE A PRO.

Creators and Guests

SC
Producer
Steven Chen
Songwriter/Composer, Producer, and residenet Recording/Mixing/Mastering Engineer at Penthouse Studios Miami. Credits include: The Emmys, Tyler Perry, French Montana, Love & Hip Hop ...

What is Beek on being?

A podcast on shared humanity; discussing personal and professional perspectives. From serious to silly to sublime, coming from kindness and curiosity, it is all about connections.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Hi, I hope you're well. This podcast is a place for people to share personal and professional perspectives to talk openly and to ask questions. From serious to silly to sublime, it's all about communication and connections, Always coming from a place of kindness and curiosity, we talk about shared humanity, discuss ideas, and highlight people creating a better world. We've got to keep learning, keep growing, keep being. I'm Melissa Shere Beek, and this is Beek on Being.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Today's episode is Beek on being and aging like a pro. How well will you age? What if you had the professional tools and knowledge to take control of your cognitive and physical health? Today in studio, we have Susan Fox Rosellini, founder of AGING LIKE A PRO, to debunk the myths and give us the information we need to live longer, healthier, more fulfilling lives. I'm so honored that you're here.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Thank you so much for coming.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

Thank you, Melissa, for having me.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Yeah. No. I'm thrilled.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

I'm doctor Susan Fox Rosellini. My day job is the director for administration and community outreach for the University of Miami's McKnight Brain Institute.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Love it.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

And in my other life, I created this really necessary program called AGING LIKE A PRO.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Okay. I wanna hear all about that. So tell us how this brainchild started.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

Well, for twenty three years, my husband, who sadly has passed, had Parkinson's disease. Wow. And I watched and thought about that when he ate well, when we went out to dinner or did something and we're socially engaged Mhmm. When he did his physical therapy, and when he slept well, he had a wonderful day. Yeah.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

So I went down the road of doing a dissertation and a doctoral degree

Melissa Shere Beek:

Mhmm.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

In research. And I started to think, well, why don't I do it on this subject? Yeah. And so going through research, you have to research something. Yeah.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

So I developed a questionnaire. And then we went out into the community with a five part program following those basic topics, sleeping Mhmm. Eating well. Stress reduction is the only thing. And he was at a point with Parkinson's that didn't really work

Melissa Shere Beek:

Right.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

That well. Right. Stress reduction. Mhmm. We chose mindfulness.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Yes.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

Nutrition. And then, ultimately, an overview, the 11 essentials, of pulling it all together.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Okay.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

And we collected data. We did about 60 plus topics and the community. And we then collected and reviewed the data, and I did my dissertation on do community outreach programs motivate people to change their behavior?

Melissa Shere Beek:

Okay.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

And happily, I'm here to report that, yes, they did.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Now when did you go back and get this PhD?

Susan Fox Rosellini:

In 2018 Right. I started the program. Mhmm. And universities typically give you eight years. Uh-huh.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

And I missed it by one semester.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Oh, wow.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

So I had to go back and reapply. Oh, wow. But I graduated this this past May.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Yay. Yay. Love that. I loved it. Okay.

Melissa Shere Beek:

So you told us a little bit about what you did in the community about going out and doing the questionnaires. But when did it become a full program? What were the steps out after you got all the information and before it became a full program? What does that look like?

Susan Fox Rosellini:

Program after I did the research with our physician scientists, In 2024 Okay. We launched the first community talk.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Okay.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

We had done a bunch. We, the McKnight Brain Institute, had done a bunch of lot of community talks during COVID.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Sure.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

So at that time, we had some partners. Mhmm. But what I was able to do to reach out to the Miami Dade Library and the Broward Library, and they became key partners Oh, yeah. That's fabulous. In this program where at whatever library we tried to work with Mhmm.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

That had senior programs, we were able to add the program. So we started in 2024 and are still happily going

Melissa Shere Beek:

So where are to the programs now? So we if someone wants to find somebody in the library

Susan Fox Rosellini:

In the libraries, community centers, What they can do is they can go to aginglikeapro.org.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Okay. I'm gonna have that link in my listener links.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

And it will show the event Mhmm. That is the closest to coming up and what topic it

Melissa Shere Beek:

is. Okay. Perfect. So we're gonna break down all of those pillars and the topics in a second. But what are let let's just start with the the myths and make misconceptions about aging.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

Well, the first thing is is, matter of fact, the National Institute of Health, NIH Yeah. Has a list of, like, 10 things that are myths. Okay. But the ones that resonate and are really part of this program

Melissa Shere Beek:

Mhmm.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

Are the following.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Okay. They're about five. Us.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

Depression is normal Yeah. As is loneliness as we get older. Not true. Depression is never normal

Melissa Shere Beek:

Right.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

No matter what age we are.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Right.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

Number two, we need less sleep as we get older. Also not true. Right. Any adult needs between seven to nine hours of sleep. Yeah.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

And we can go into that a little bit. You know, do you take a nap? Do you sleep nine hours, etcetera? Right. Seven to nine hours.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

All the water

Melissa Shere Beek:

that we're drinking and peeing constantly, I don't know who's sleeping nine hours consecutively. But sorry. It's like that

Susan Fox Rosellini:

would be a goal.

Melissa Shere Beek:

That would be a great goal. Okay. Go ahead. Sorry.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

Can't learn new things

Melissa Shere Beek:

No.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

As we get older. Not true. Right. We you can learn whatever you want to learn. Yeah.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

You should stay learning new things. Look at me.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Yeah. I was just gonna say

Susan Fox Rosellini:

you went back and got a PhD after

Melissa Shere Beek:

60. I love it.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

You should avoid people say, oh, you're getting older. You should avoid activity because you're going to fall, or you're too frail. Right. Again, if you continue to do activity, it avoids you becoming stronger. It avoids dementias.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

Right. It avoids frailness.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Right.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

So, yes, you want to keep moving and doing moderate fitness. Right. And I guess the other is dementia's inevitable. Also, not true.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Not true. Okay. Good. I'm glad you debunked all those myths because

Susan Fox Rosellini:

I They are the top five that that really resonate to me that that are really almost laughable.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Yeah. I'm glad. They're they're invalid. We've taken those off We've the gotten

Susan Fox Rosellini:

rid we've gotten rid of them, I hope.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Yeah. So what is the mission of the program?

Susan Fox Rosellini:

We really want to inform the public to be engaged, as I said. Right. Never too old to learn. Mhmm. And you have to keep all of the factors that I'll ultimately go into a little bit later.

Melissa Shere Beek:

We'll break that down.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

In the especially in the 11 factors. You get medical advice. You do need to keep those in tow within the ranges that they're supposed

Melissa Shere Beek:

It's to to each tailored to each person and their abilities. Got it. What does it mean to you to to age like a pro?

Susan Fox Rosellini:

Stay connected. Continue to learn. Yeah. And stay active.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Right. Yeah. We gotta cover the brain and the body, and that covers the emotional aspect of it too.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

Right. Right. And not do stupid things like as I told you I did. I thought I was 20, and I decided to move a very heavy box. And then my body told me I wasn't Right, twenty years

Melissa Shere Beek:

right, right. Oh God. I was very I've told you off camera, but I'll share it. I was very grateful that this wasn't last week because I had pulled out my back too. So as I'm writing up these things, was like, definitely not aging like a pro because I couldn't even stand up straight.

Melissa Shere Beek:

So yeah.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

Well, the good news is we heal.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Yes. That's it.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

There we go.

Melissa Shere Beek:

That's it. So we are aging like pros.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

Yes. I

Melissa Shere Beek:

got it. Okay. So outside of genetics, what that we we can't control. What are some other negative factors? You said sleep, stress, food, I think we didn't even talk about?

Susan Fox Rosellini:

Like some other Well, nutrition. Nutrition.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Okay. That's another key factor impacting how we age. Okay.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

I would say loneliness.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Okay.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

Again, the idea of staying engaged.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Right.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

Staying, you know

Melissa Shere Beek:

Socially interactive.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

Socially, yeah, interactive, etcetera. Okay. Also, that helps you so that you aren't frail.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Right.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

If you're active and you are fitness and I'm not purporting that we have to do our Right. Hundred and fifty minutes Yeah. Every week of moderate aerobic actor exercise. Walk. Walk.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

Yeah. Exactly. Yeah. Now in Miami's in Miami's heat, we say walk. I mean, the only

Melissa Shere Beek:

thing I say are.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

To where you are. And the only other thing I can say is go to a mall.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Okay. Yes. I was gonna say if

Susan Fox Rosellini:

you find

Melissa Shere Beek:

a good museum, we could walk around the museum.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

Exactly. Museum, mall. They're inside. We can do our our walking exercise.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Okay. So those are other things that impact how impact how we age. Correct. What are some daily healthy habits that we should implement?

Susan Fox Rosellini:

Sleep well.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Sleep well.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

I mean Okay. If I had to pick one thing

Melissa Shere Beek:

Mhmm.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

That will really improve your mental and physical well-being is a good night's

Melissa Shere Beek:

sleep. A good night's sleep. It matter people say, oh, I'm a night owl. Okay, but then you can still get your eight hours depending on Correct. When you go at bed,

Susan Fox Rosellini:

And in our sleep module, we talk about our physician scientist talks about all the things that it can be really good to help you sleep.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Right.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

You know, when we were little kids Right. Your mom took your mom and your dad said, now's bedtime. Right. And you would go, and you would get tucked in. Right.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

And maybe they'd read you a bedtime And maybe you get soft music. Uh-huh. And maybe you get a glass of milk.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Right.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

And you would go to sleep. Right. Unfortunately, as we all get older, well, nobody's reading us a bedtime story anymore, sadly to say.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Myself. I'm reading myself to sleep.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

When you get But into bed when you get into bed Mhmm. Get into bed to go to sleep. Right. Not to read the day's happenings.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Right. Don't look at the news.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

Don't look at your TV. Phone should be on the the dresser. Make it dark. Yeah. Go to sleep as it gets dark.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

Right. Wake up when it gets light.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Right. Stay on the rhythm.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

You know, stay on that circadian rhythm, etcetera.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Got it. Got

Susan Fox Rosellini:

it. And then I would also say eat well and be active.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Yeah. Always.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

I mean, you can have your cookies and your ice cream, but on a whole, eat balanced.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Eat balanced. Okay. So I was just saying when we're talking about walking in Miami where it's like a 150 degrees out right now, does staying healthy is environment a factor in where we live?

Susan Fox Rosellini:

There are a bunch of studies Mhmm. That show that physical environment do impact Mhmm. Majorly both your well-being

Melissa Shere Beek:

Uh-huh.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

Mental Right. And your cognitive. Right. Environment stimulates Mhmm. And supports your physical and mental Well-being.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

Well-being. I I'm trying not to be, repetitive.

Melissa Shere Beek:

No. But it we need to strike this home so people can listen.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

Communities that have sidewalks

Melissa Shere Beek:

Right.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

That have parks Mhmm. That have age friendly housing

Melissa Shere Beek:

Right. Gathering for

Susan Fox Rosellini:

older adults gathering places Mhmm. Are very what should we say? Are very enticing to your overall physical well-being

Melissa Shere Beek:

Mhmm.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

Versus environments that lack transportation. Yeah. Have no safe public spaces.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Right.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

So physical environment definitely does Plays

Melissa Shere Beek:

a part.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

Right. Okay. There is also a recent study that shows that pollution affects Yeah. Your cognitive health. Sure.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

And then as we talk about environment, obviously, the scientists in me says, it's not only physical, but social environment. Mhmm. Mhmm. You can live maybe in a less friendly physical environment. But if you are socially engaged Right.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

Multigenerational

Melissa Shere Beek:

Right.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

Things, that kind of balances. Yeah.

Melissa Shere Beek:

That's good for you.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

And likewise, economic environment. Yeah. We have to talk about, you know, financial stress

Melissa Shere Beek:

Sure.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

In an environment does impact both your mental and physical well-being.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Yeah. It has to, unfortunately. So Okay. So I

Susan Fox Rosellini:

had to answer that. Yeah. It was a less complicated question No. Probably than you, than I made it out to.

Melissa Shere Beek:

No. No. No. I appreciate it. But I wanna I wanna get into the program now.

Melissa Shere Beek:

So tell me the four cornerstones again.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

The four cornerstones are sleep

Melissa Shere Beek:

Mhmm.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

Stress management that we've chosen, mindfulness Got it. Nutrition Mhmm. Fitness.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Okay.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

And then we have added the 11 essentials.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Oh, 11 essentials.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

That includes social activity and some of your medical markers, etcetera.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Okay. So we broke down sleep a little bit about mood and energy. Right? But tell us a little bit what you discovered as a scientist as far as breaking down the amyloid plaque.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

Amyloid plaque, we don't still have a lot of research Mhmm. That shows that lifestyle factors break down amyloid plaques Okay. Scientifically.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Right.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

But what we do do find Mhmm. Is that overall lifestyle Mhmm. There was a huge study done that was just us discussed at the Alzheimer's International Oh, convention in London out of Sweden called the Fingers Study.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Okay.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

And it really focuses on lifestyle factors.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Okay.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

And they found that socially active, sleeping well

Melissa Shere Beek:

Yeah.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

Being physically active, and nutrition, give or take mind diet, various diets, but just eating Well. Well, heart healthy Right. Balanced diets are as important as smoking, blood pressure, blood sugar, and weight.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Yeah. I think those are all big

Susan Fox Rosellini:

And cholesterol.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Yeah. Oh, yeah. That's a different kind of plaque.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

Yes.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Okay. So because I was thinking sleep does it benefits us in all those ways.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

Protects your heart.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Right.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

Remember, sleep, we sleep to clean the brain.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Yeah. I think sleep is healing time.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

Correct. And so as a result, it is exactly that. It is healing time.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Right.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

So it's good for your heart. If you don't sleep well, you can have heart problems. Yeah. Balances hormones, lowers chronic risk of most illnesses. Okay.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

And it, as we said, repairs the body for the next day.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Right. Okay. So the other the other one we talked about is mindfulness. But what does it mean to be mindful when we talk about mindfulness?

Susan Fox Rosellini:

Mindfulness is a overall process of being in the present.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Okay.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

And so in being in the present and it's by I always forget the name of the gentleman that came up with the overall process Uh-huh. And having you work through being in the present. And by focusing in the present and focusing on yourself Mhmm. You are taking a deep breath and letting all the things around you go away. Right.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

So that is why we chose mindfulness.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Right. It helps to de stress.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

It helps to de stress. Now if you prefer tai chi or you prefer yoga Right. All of those Those are all modalities. Mindful

Melissa Shere Beek:

Yeah.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

In their own way.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Got it. Okay. So we pick one that works for you. Correct. Okay.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Eating smart. Is there a certain diet, like a Mediterranean diet? Or like

Susan Fox Rosellini:

Well, there's a lot of talk.

Melissa Shere Beek:

And

Susan Fox Rosellini:

what we basically focus on is if you look at the plate

Melissa Shere Beek:

Yeah.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

And you say one half of your plate should be grains and leafy Mhmm. Green vegetables. The other half of your plate should be divided into proteins Mhmm. Which is low fat proteins. Right.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

And you could eat a low fat steak, know, small steak Right. Once in a while. And carbohydrates.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Oh, carbohydrates too.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

It's like potato.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Pasta.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

Pasta. So Prefer prefer, you know, whole grain pasta. Mhmm. Couscous. Right.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

All of those grainy carbohydrates.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Got it. Good for you,

Susan Fox Rosellini:

Carlos. And so if you think of your plate when you make it, and you have vegetables, fruits, nuts

Melissa Shere Beek:

Mhmm.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

All of those things in one half and the other. And when you think of protein and carbohydrates, if we think of a fist Yeah.

Melissa Shere Beek:

The size of your fist.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

Now your fist and a six foot gentleman's fist

Melissa Shere Beek:

are gonna amount them to be

Susan Fox Rosellini:

different amounts of protein. Right. However

Melissa Shere Beek:

Right.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

The six foot gentleman Right. May need that fist of

Melissa Shere Beek:

He needs the extra protein.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

Exactly. And you and I need our fist's

Melissa Shere Beek:

worth of

Susan Fox Rosellini:

protein.

Melissa Shere Beek:

And protein, I'm thinking different forms of protein because I'm a vegetarian. So could be beans. Anything.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

It can be Right. Any kind of protein. Chicken. Steak. Fish.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Beans. Legumes.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

Beans. Legumes. Right. All of those things. Okay.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

You

Melissa Shere Beek:

know? Perfect.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

Vegan people Yeah. Or vegetarians, vegetarians, as as you you said. Yeah. You eat protein in a different way.

Melissa Shere Beek:

In a different way. Exactly. Got it. Alright. So that's I eat

Susan Fox Rosellini:

all of the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Melissa Shere Beek:

I was just gonna say you don't see what I have after that plate because I am eating cookies and ice cream. Like But that.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

Ice cream has protein.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Yeah. Okay. We'll go with that. That's my protein on my plate.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

There you go. That's a

Melissa Shere Beek:

quarter of my plate. Okay. So fitness. So we talk about how that impacts our abilities. We're not in CrossFit flipping over 18 wheeler tire tracks.

Melissa Shere Beek:

We're talking what kind of fitness.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

Fitness, I am talking about is activity. Okay. So, yes, if you wanna go and do your fitness class every day or three times a week Right. All the more power to you. Right.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

But fitness, if you decide that you wanna walk for ten minutes every day, I have three different sized dogs. Right. I walk my dogs four times a day.

Melissa Shere Beek:

You do. Wow.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

With my any healthy movement. And I think about our neuro rehab doctor who teaches this class. And he tells the story, which if I may Yes, I share with you is that a client came to him who was overweight, was taking 15 different pills. Mhmm. And the guy said, I really wanna turn a leaf.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

I wanna lose some weight. I wanna get him fit, etcetera. And he says, well, how much do you walk? And the guy had one of the Apple watches. Uh-huh.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

So he says, well, I walk, like, 3,000 steps a day. And he says, okay. Here's what we're going to do. When you go to the supermarket, where do you park? And the guy says, the closest spot I can find.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

He says, no. He says, you're gonna try and find the spot that's farthest away. Right. And you're gonna walk there, and you're going to walk back. And you're not going to tell me, but you have to carry your groceries because there's such thing as a shopping cart.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Right. Exactly.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

So lo and behold, about a month later Mhmm. He saw him again in a month. And then three months later, he did the evaluation again. Again. And the guy had lost weight.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

Wow. He had create improved his stamina. Yeah. He was up to 6,000 steps a day. Wow.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

And So these little tiny these little tiny things. So net net net of parking the farthest spot away

Melissa Shere Beek:

Right.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

Every time you went to the supermarket or the drugstore have big impact.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Big impact. I like that. Okay. So what about okay. So social factors, not being isolated.

Melissa Shere Beek:

You said that's another big one.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

In the 11 essentials, social activity. Mhmm. During COVID, we found that one of the biggest things, especially for seniors

Melissa Shere Beek:

Right.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

Was they were socially isolated.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Yeah. Loneliness.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

Lonely. And so I remember that friends of mine, we all created cocktails. We created lunches. And we would do them Right. Once every other week.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Right.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

And that's how we we stayed active Yeah. And got through.

Melissa Shere Beek:

So What do you do with someone who is lonely and doesn't really have that built in core of friends or has lost their significant other? Where can they find

Susan Fox Rosellini:

Well

Melissa Shere Beek:

social outlets for themselves?

Susan Fox Rosellini:

Social outlets that are free.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Uh-huh. Like, does a library offer

Susan Fox Rosellini:

Or the the library. I I would say you could start at the library.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Right. Your house of worship, maybe.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

A lot of the communities in Florida have community centers. Yeah. And the community centers and we can talk about Key Biscayne or Coral Gables

Melissa Shere Beek:

Right.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

Or Sunrise Right. Or Doral. Right. They all have They all have community centers.

Melissa Shere Beek:

So those are good resources.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

Of those are wonderful resources.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Okay.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

And now with Uber Yeah. You don't even have to drive. Have to

Melissa Shere Beek:

have a license. Exactly. Do you think that music or spirituality plays a part in in aging?

Susan Fox Rosellini:

We do. We definite we did a No. We did a study, and music is one of the ancillary add ons we do. Okay. Whereby music and they have chosen this in the in a lot of memory programs, bring back familiarity

Melissa Shere Beek:

Right.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

To people. And while they might not remember your name

Melissa Shere Beek:

Right.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

If you sing a song

Melissa Shere Beek:

Oh, yeah.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

It brings back Mhmm. For that short period of time Clarity. Clarity and memory. So music, for sure Yeah. Is a big one.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Big part of it. And spirituality, do you think that has an effect on

Susan Fox Rosellini:

For each person in their

Melissa Shere Beek:

own way. Okay.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

For some people, it's very important, and for others, it is not important at all.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Okay. So before we get into the 11 essentials, because we talked about loneliness and stuff like that, how do you think technology has played a part in aging? Like with iPhones

Susan Fox Rosellini:

and I think technology has improved because it automatically helps connectivity.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Don't think it leads to more isolation?

Susan Fox Rosellini:

I don't think in the older population.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Got it.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

For the simple reason that technology is used like iPads to stay in contact, especially for those people whose families are far away.

Melissa Shere Beek:

At or if they're in have mobility issues Exactly.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

Got it. And so they're not using technology like our kids

Melissa Shere Beek:

use technology. True.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

So I think they are more a connective friend. Connective friend than anything else.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Okay. Got it. Got it. Got it. Alright.

Melissa Shere Beek:

So let's break down the program with the 11 essentials for healthy aging. So can you sort

Susan Fox Rosellini:

of Okay.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Go through all of those words?

Susan Fox Rosellini:

I will go through

Melissa Shere Beek:

Okay.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

We divide it into, lifestyle

Melissa Shere Beek:

Mhmm.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

And then factors.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Okay. Got it.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

So lifestyle, you and I have been talking about a lot Yeah. Of

Melissa Shere Beek:

I love it.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

Sleep. Yeah. Huge. Nutrition or diet. Right.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

Socially active. Right. Physically active.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Yes.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

And then probably smoking, which we haven't touched on.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Okay.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

And when the American Heart Association created the nine essentials of heart health

Melissa Shere Beek:

Right.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

Or something like that. They did smoking, and smoking in those days for heart health were cigarettes. Right. We take it one step further because electronic Yeah. Vaping.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

And vaping are so dangerous. Yeah. And we don't even begin to understand yet

Melissa Shere Beek:

Right.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

About how dangerous they are.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Yeah.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

So smoking on all levels. Okay. Got it. So now here goes, the kind of factors. Okay.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

And that is hearing. Mhmm. Hearing isolates you. Right. You don't hear well.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

So we do recommend that you, from the time you are 55 or 60 Mhmm. For sure go to get your hearing test.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Right.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

With all of the new Medicare and Medicare Advantage programs, hearing aids have become very Affordable.

Melissa Shere Beek:

And affordable. And tiny, almost indiscernible.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

And Right. On top of that, while being annoying to people for the first time, the earlier you get them, the better off you are if you need them. For the simple reason that as you start to not hearing and until you notice it or somebody else in your family does because you say what so many times

Melissa Shere Beek:

Or you start yelling.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

Your brain or you have the television too loud.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Right. Right.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

Your brain forgets how to process and hear.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Auditory. Really?

Susan Fox Rosellini:

And so, as a result, when you get the hearing aid, you're really annoyed by all that background noise. Right. Now we're in a studio, so there's no noise at all. But if we're standing on the street, your brain and my brain, I assume we both hear

Melissa Shere Beek:

Yeah. Yeah.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

Yeah. Normally.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Yes.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

There's a lot of it. Right. But we are focused on what we're doing, and we don't hear it. Right. So hearing is very important.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Right.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

Seeing. Get your eyes checked once a year. Got it. From adulthood all the way

Melissa Shere Beek:

up. Oh, yeah.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

Because things like cataracts. Yeah. Things like early dementias.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Mhmm.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

Early vascular risks

Melissa Shere Beek:

They can be detected.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

Can be detected in your eye. Wow. So I don't think

Melissa Shere Beek:

people realize that.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

People don't really realize that. And now the common factors that we all know Okay. About blood sugar. Yes. Diabetes is an inflammatory disease.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

Yep. It is not good also. You lose feeling. Mhmm. Neuropathies.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

Yep. Blood sugar should be below a 100 fasting. Blood pressure.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Yes. That's a big Blood

Susan Fox Rosellini:

pressure is a big one. Again, for the inflammatory factor.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Right.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

For the factor that if you have high blood pressure, you have a heart attack risk and a stroke risk. Right. And you don't wanna move. You feel lethargic. Right.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

So blood pressure

Melissa Shere Beek:

The big one.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

Control is a big one. Right. Weight Another big which is from nutrition and weight kind of go together. Hand in hand.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Also being said in

Susan Fox Rosellini:

terms also don't we we we also are are very limited in talking about all the new drugs Mhmm. Are out GLP-one should be between you and your physician.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Right.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

They are amazing. They have helped people from diabetes.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Was gonna say,

Susan Fox Rosellini:

not just a weight loss. You were Yeah. That were originally created for. Uh-huh. And now weight loss.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Right.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

But that has to be done on a very controlled

Melissa Shere Beek:

Right. With your physician.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

With your physician.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Right.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

And finally, cholesterol. Huge. Another form of cholesterol. Cholesterol blocks your arteries, heart attack, stroke. Right.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

It's very simple. Mhmm. There's some controversy I have heard when I go out and talk about lactose people in that cholesterol drugs are kind of not good for you.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Really? But we do not be great to

Susan Fox Rosellini:

manage it. They are amazing. Yeah. And they really well, because people hear about the side effects that you feel like cramps. Tylenol.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

Correct. You have to you have to measure the risk reward.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Right. Absolutely.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

And the reward in most cases far

Melissa Shere Beek:

exceeds No plaque. No stroke.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

Far far exceeds the risk.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Right. Got it. Got it. Oh, I love that.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

So there we go. Those are the 11 essentials. I

Melissa Shere Beek:

think that's brilliant. I mean, it seems that it's pretty simple. You know, you talk to your doctor and you make sure that everything is checked out on an annual basis, but a lot of people are sort of neglecting themselves or neglecting to do that.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

But you can now go to some of these senior centers, and they the the I was amazed. The Sunrise Senior Center, every time we're up there I shouldn't say every time.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Right.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

But a lot of the time the fire department comes by and pressure check. Oh, great.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Oh, it's so easy. So it's available. You don't have to always begin

Susan Fox Rosellini:

or you have check-in. Blood pressure, you can go to your local pharmacy. A lot of them have

Melissa Shere Beek:

as CVS and Walgreens have those little stand alones. Absolutely. I've seen them. Oh, that's great. Okay.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Good. Very These are really great tips. Alright.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

Very good

Melissa Shere Beek:

to What audiences are you looking to reach?

Susan Fox Rosellini:

Pretty much everyone. Everybody. Yeah. You knew the answer to that Yeah. The thing is is that we started to have a discussion probably about six months ago.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

Mhmm. That we really should be doing this at the college level.

Melissa Shere Beek:

I was that was my next question. Like, how early And is we

Susan Fox Rosellini:

literally came up with a thing that we called we kind of repositioned this program, and

Melissa Shere Beek:

we

Susan Fox Rosellini:

called it Brain Basics.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Oh, I like that.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

And we went to one of our colleagues, found somebody who was really interested. And they wanted to do it as part of freshman orientation.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Yeah. Sure.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

And specifically, diet, mindfulness, fitness, eating well.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Yeah. All of these are critical. Don't wait till you're 50 to start all of this.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

Correct. And the thing that was interesting was they're not ready yet to hear

Melissa Shere Beek:

I was gonna ask you what the response was.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

They were not ready yet to hear it. So we went back or the way we were communicating it Maybe. We weren't reaching them.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Yeah.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

So we all decided we need to go back to the drawing board and try and figure it out. But you can't wait till you're Right. 70 or 80 to try and put all of this in place. Right. And the thing that is really interesting, results from our, questionnaire show that those who are younger, we divided the audience into the average social, you know, Social Security below 65 and above 65.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

Uh-huh. Those 65 were more likely more motivated to change

Melissa Shere Beek:

Sure.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

Than those 65.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Told you that one. Yeah. Absolutely. But I always say health is wealth. And Steven and I were talking about this beforehand too, about what you do now impacts you later.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Correct. So, you know, if you're overweight for too long, that affects joint pain. If you have diabetes, that affects your longevity and your health.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

You've cholesterol, vision, hearing, All all of these of these things.

Melissa Shere Beek:

So you need to really sort of implement these good habits when you're young.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

As as young as you can.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Yeah. Absolutely. Alright. Love it. So where is your program?

Melissa Shere Beek:

I think we touched a little bit about

Susan Fox Rosellini:

where we're You go to aginglikeapro.okay. Dotorg. Okay. Dot Libraries, senior centers

Melissa Shere Beek:

Okay.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

Are the big ones. We have done some in community centers.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Mhmm.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

Sunrise, Kibiscan Got it. Coral Gables Okay. Doral. We are looking for 2027 to

Melissa Shere Beek:

go more rural. Okay. That's what I was gonna ask you. Where do think the program's going next?

Susan Fox Rosellini:

In September, we start Los Angeles.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Love that.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

And we are looking at two other major metropolitan areas where we have researchers that we have contacts with.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Okay, good. Where are those?

Susan Fox Rosellini:

Can't say yet. Can't say yet.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Okay. Got it. Alright. Sorry. But you said more rural areas.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

And then we really wanna go to areas what we've seen is libraries in parts of Fort Lauderdale Okay. That are not near other libraries

Melissa Shere Beek:

Got it.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

Or things like that.

Melissa Shere Beek:

So more remote People

Susan Fox Rosellini:

are much more responsive. Mhmm. And the results show they are very engaged

Melissa Shere Beek:

Okay.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

In receiving this information and then doing something with it.

Melissa Shere Beek:

And then acting upon it. Correct.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

I like that. Okay. And then the the final piece of this is we are going to go back with a new questionnaire to the areas that we've been in for two years. Mhmm. And really try and ascertain you know, people said they changed their behavior after they came to one or two or three lectures.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Right.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

Here we are now almost a year later. Have they

Melissa Shere Beek:

are they still with that.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

Stayed with it.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Oh, I like that.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

So that's those are the two big things.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Okay. Yeah. And like we said, making sure that they start implementing all of these Correct. As young as possible.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

Correct.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Okay. So it's never too late to

Susan Fox Rosellini:

start Never

Melissa Shere Beek:

too late. So what's what's next for you and the program?

Susan Fox Rosellini:

So as I said, what

Melissa Shere Beek:

was

Susan Fox Rosellini:

next is we really want to evaluate our people really sticking to it. And number

Melissa Shere Beek:

And for you, what's next?

Susan Fox Rosellini:

And for me, it's constantly thinking of new topics Got it. And finding a good source by which we can develop a module to do it.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Love it.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

So we have come up Protect Yourself in a Digital World

Melissa Shere Beek:

Oh, that's a

Susan Fox Rosellini:

good which one kind of talks to scams and schemes.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Yes.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

We're working on a financial safety net type of lecture. Brilliant. What are the kinds of things and and this talks to your economic well-being.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Mhmm. What are the kinds of Yes.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

What are the kinds of things that you need to start thinking about also sooner than later? Right. In a world where when our parents Right. And grandparents Different worlds. Talk took Social Security, we you only you got it at 62 or 65.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

And you lived fifteen years, and you didn't have to worry about Now we're pushing and pushing and pushing to take Social Security by the time we're 70.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Right.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

And we're gonna live another twenty years.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Gonna say we're living longer. We're living We're living healthy. And you have to be prepared not just for that, but also for the God forbid sort of situations. Have to be financially prepared for those as well.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

Correct.

Melissa Shere Beek:

The things you didn't plan for.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

Things that you did. Financial safety net. So those are the things that are new on the horizon.

Melissa Shere Beek:

I like it. Did we leave anything out?

Susan Fox Rosellini:

I don't think so.

Melissa Shere Beek:

I think we covered everything. I

Susan Fox Rosellini:

think we really did. Yay. Thank you, Melissa.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Thank you so much.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

That has been a amazing experience.

Melissa Shere Beek:

This has been so informative.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

And I hope your audience finds Yeah. All of it Oh,

Melissa Shere Beek:

yeah. Interesting and informative.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

They can find us on aginglikeapro.org. Got it. And I am sure it'll be on your on your notes. Yes. And, thank you for

Melissa Shere Beek:

the opportunity. I'm so honored you were here. Thank you for taking the time to teach all of us. I love it. Before I let you go, though, I have one thing I do with my guests.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Are you game?

Susan Fox Rosellini:

I'm game.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Okay. Quickie questions. What are your daily habits?

Susan Fox Rosellini:

I get up in the morning. Mhmm. I have either yogurt and or cottage cheese Uh-huh. And blueberries. Good.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

Good. I It's not good with the cephalospora or whatever they call it.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Oh, yeah. No.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

That's tough. Was really worried for

Melissa Shere Beek:

a No. No.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

Yeah. No. And either an English muffin or a half a bagel, you know, I have to have a little bit of carbohydrate Yeah. Do you do puzzles? I then swim.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Oh, that's great.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

And I walk my dogs.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Nice.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

And then my day goes into whatever craziness.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Daily rituals. I like that.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

It goes from craziness to craziness.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Oh, I like that. Crazy keeps Then it in

Susan Fox Rosellini:

evenings, I try to cook more than I Though go I do have to stay socially active.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Was gonna say, that's in that category of being social. So it's fine.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

Exactly. And I walk my dogs again

Melissa Shere Beek:

Okay.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

At night.

Melissa Shere Beek:

These are good.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

So that's my Do

Melissa Shere Beek:

you do puzzles or games or

Susan Fox Rosellini:

Believe it or not, I do so much puzzles during the day. Yeah. Because I'm still at that pace Yeah. Where I work full time. Yeah.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

Is that I watch HGTV at times.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Oh, that's good though too.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

So I think about all the different ways I can redo

Melissa Shere Beek:

Do everything. I like that. Well, you can hire me. I'll be I'm up for that. Absolutely.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Okay. What is your idea of happiness?

Susan Fox Rosellini:

I would say being doing the things that I like to do Yeah. And having family around you.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Good one. I like that. Is there an animal that you most identify with?

Susan Fox Rosellini:

I would have to say that if I off the top of my head quickly, it would be between a bear because there are times I am a cuddly go in my lair, etcetera. But yet, I am very strong, independent,

Melissa Shere Beek:

That's a good one.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

And maybe, as my last name says, a fox.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Oh, okay. Good.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

And that, I'm always looking for new things.

Melissa Shere Beek:

I love it. I love that. Those are good ones. Okay. Best compliment you ever got?

Susan Fox Rosellini:

You made me think about what I want to do next.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Oh, good. That's a good one. Alright. Do you have a favorite book, movie, or show?

Susan Fox Rosellini:

No. No. Okay.

Melissa Shere Beek:

What haven't you done yet that

Susan Fox Rosellini:

want to? I feel like I've been doing my dissertation for so long that I have no idea. No time.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Okay. What do you what haven't you done yet that you want to?

Susan Fox Rosellini:

I was just talking with somebody. I think I want to I traveled a lot Mhmm. As a child

Melissa Shere Beek:

Nice.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

To places you can't go today

Melissa Shere Beek:

Oh, wow.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

Or don't even exist. Wow. And so I would like to continue that maybe once a year

Melissa Shere Beek:

Beautiful.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

Going to some place I haven't been. Nice. And that's hard to find.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Yeah, that's hard. That's fabulous, though. I'd love to hear about your travels. Okay, last one. Who or what do you admire?

Susan Fox Rosellini:

I used to say that the person I admired most was Eleanor Roosevelt. Wow. For her perseverance, for her ultimately recreating herself

Melissa Shere Beek:

Yeah.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

After her husband passed. Mhmm. For her the respect she created in the world. Yeah. And I think looking forward in what I'm now achieving, I would have to say I still feel the same way.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Good. Good one. Thank you so much. I appreciate that. This is wonderful.

Melissa Shere Beek:

I'm so grateful that you've been here.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

So

Melissa Shere Beek:

I love to share your amazing. I'm so glad you took the time to do this. I hope you enjoyed it. I loved meeting I can't

Susan Fox Rosellini:

wait to hear more of what you do.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Oh my goodness. I can't I can't wait for this to air cause I want everybody to hear about all of this. But Okay.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

Hope Stay after. They hope they will find it informative.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Oh, yeah. Absolutely. No. And I hope the younger people will actually start implementing those

Susan Fox Rosellini:

Right. It was like that that makes me smile. One more one more crazy thought. What? Tell me.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

Is that when they put this up, just recently for the LA library Uh-huh. For the West Hollywood, which we start in September. Nice. They put older adults. Older adults.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

And I wrote the manager of the library. I said our opinion, have to do this all adults. All adults.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Exactly. I love that older adults. Because I don't know

Susan Fox Rosellini:

I don't know what older adults

Melissa Shere Beek:

I'm just gonna say, and it depends on how you identify. Because I know a lot of 90 year old people who behave like they're 20, and I know a lot of 20 year olds who feel like they're 120 already. So it's it's it's all relative. Exactly. Thank you again.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Thank you again. Stay after. I wanna hear about your travels. I'm gonna do my outro and then we'll talk.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

Okay. Terrific.

Melissa Shere Beek:

To our listeners, thank you so much. So grateful you're here. Keep listening. Keep learning. Keep laughing.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Keep up with Beek on being. Listen to Beek on being wherever you get your podcasts. All episodes are automatically transcribed. DM us to share thoughts, ideas, or to nominate a guest. A big shout out and a huge thank you to Steven Chen at Penthouse Studios.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Woo hoo. Beek on being was recorded at Penthouse Studios and is a proud member of the Penthouse Podcast Network. Thank you. I hope you enjoyed. That was fun.

Melissa Shere Beek:

Really it was good.

Susan Fox Rosellini:

It was really fun.