MPR: Aging Gracefully

Mainstreet Special: Aging in Rural Minnesota
A remote broadcast from the fairgrounds in Sioux Falls
Hosted by Rachel Reabe
Tuesday June 19, 2001

Listen

Listen to the archived broadcast in RealAudio:

Hour One
Hour Two

Take the Tour

The broadcast is originating from a gathering of owners of Airstream campers. What's the attraction for this group? Take the RealAudio slideshow tour.

Reinventing Retirement

Listen to Part One

AMERICANS ARE NOT not just living longer, many are living better longer. Improved health care and economic prosperity are changing the way we view the retirement years. No longer content to coast through the golden years, an increasing number of senior citizens are using their time to learn new skills and pursue new adventures.

The average life expectancy at the beginning of the 1900s of 46 has nearly doubled now, 74 for men, 80 for women. The retirement years have stretched to two, even three decades. Instead of accepting traditional retirements, more seniors have made transitions to new and what they consider more interesting careers and lifestyles. Frequently they are motivated by a desire to escape career stress and a need to "make a difference" - to do something positive for society or the environment.

Guests:
Dr. David Brechtelsbauer, associate director for the Sioux Falls Family Practice Residency and medical director for area nursing homes
Marilyn Moor, RN, manager of Prestige Plus, a program for 8,700 area seniors sponsored by Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls.

The Nun Study

Listen to Part Two

A REVOLUTIONARY scientific study on a group of Catholic nuns is changing the way we view old age. For l5 years, Dr. David Snowdon, has led an ongoing research project involving 678 members of the School Sisters of Notre Dame religious congregations in seven convents across the United States. The sisters, who range in age from 75 to l06, have allowed unprecedented access to their personal and medical histories and undergo rigorous annual mental and physical testing. Each nun has also pledged to donate her brain for Snowdon's research after she dies. With one of the largest pools of brain donors in the world, the Nun Study has yielded significant information about what can be done to prevent Alzheimer's disease and live active, productive lives well into old age. Snowdon's research and relationships with the sisters have been detailed in a new book, Aging With Grace: What the Nun Study Teaches Us About Leading Longer, Healthier and More Meaningful Lives.

Guests:
David Snowdon, director of the Nun Study and author of Aging With Grace
Sister Carmen Burg, member of the leadership team for the Nun Study
Sister Rosella Kreuzer, 89 year old participant in the Nun Study
Sister Nicolette Welter, 93 year old participant in the Nun Study

Made possible by a grant from the Blandin Foundation

THE SERIES

Home Again
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Nursing Homes
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The Price
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An Independent Bunch
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A Time to Live
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Related Links

2 Young 2 Retire

Wally Byam Caravan Club International

The Nun Study

School Sisters of Notre Dame - Mankato Province

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