October 14, 2026—9-10—Working on Wellness Wednesday-Show 53-65

((From the Blackburn Studios in Downtown Sioux Falls—Welcome to our Working on Wellness Wednesday---Show 53-65))

I’m Bill Zortman and Welcome to our Wellness-Fitness—Health Show for Working on Wellness Wednesday----

It is another one of those shows that we air for you the public—that gets your attention---and gives you information you can use.

We start with Dr. Tim Ridgeway---who heads the Sanford Med School---and what he shares---is as we are told----very-very-important to our health----

((((Dr. Tim Ridgeway---Taped Segment------8:30)))))had a medical school retreat involving faculty, staff and students and administration last week—really looking at the future and how we better serve the state of SD through our students, workforce and community engagement---we can discuss that and some of the grants we are receiving going to benefit the communities of SD----(calling in 8:30)

We appreciates what he shares and how he is helping educate our new doctors today-tomorrow- and beyond)

(Dr. Joe Kippley coming up next----Sanford with updates for your from last week---)))

9:15/00---KELO Commercials

9:16/30---Wellness 2

----Dr. Joe Kippley started us on a process last week on our Working on Wellness Wednesday Segment—and he is back to update today---

Two more stops this morning----one on healthy aging and senior athletes---stay with us----

9:29/00—KELO Commercials

9:30/00---Fox News

9:32/30---Wellness Wednesday-----

Dr. Becca Jordre------(recording 8:20)

Board certified geriatric physical therapist, association professor at USD—and a leading researcher on healthy aging and senior athletes

Has created the Sustained Athlete Fitness EXAM (SAFE) in 209—for SD Senior Games –expanded nationally in 2011---

October is National Physical Therapy month—

I had sent her a page that said 70 is the new---  As a PTA focused on aging I would love to fill in the blanks there

---I’d say 70 is the new 40—I research National Senior Games Athletes and I learn so much from them about active/healthy aging ---I can talk about

--------------General trends for healthy aging

--------------specific guidance for movement and exercise

---agist attitudes that we overlook that can harm our view of older adults

---myths related to aging

I’m giving a talk next week for OLLI titled Pickleball is Dangerous and other myths that limit aging well—we can tap in my aspect of the theme

I’m about to turn 50 and will compete in the National Senior Games—the population---I been studying for the first time in my life next summer

A few of us on faculty here are in the intramural semi-final playoffs—losers bracket and we play at 5PM---so maybe I’ll be coming of an older athlete win---

Since you got that 70 is the new 40----I turned 80 in the last few weeks---now I really feel old!!!

When we come back---you’ll meet Dr. Becca Jordre—a board-certified geriatric physical therapist, associate professional at USD---and leading researcher on healthy aging and senior athletes---(Taped Segment 8:20))

(((9:28/30---KELO Commercials

(((9:30/00---Fox Business News)))

(((9:31/30---Wellness 3)))

----------Dr. Becca Jordre joins us-----now---Dean of School of Health Sciences---Betsy Becker---knew her skills and wanted us to introduce her to our audience---in our Working on Wellness Wednesday Show

-----when we come back----a visit with Mary Michaels---who represents so many in Health Care ---all over this great state of South Dakota—

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(((9:43/30----Wellness 4)))

   Mary Michaels---- represents so much that AARP does for us in South Dakota----that we enjoy having her update us as often as we can on this working on wellness Show---

------------Mary---------------

Enjoy the Fall by preventing falls.

Falls – many of them from ladders – send about 3 million older Americans to the emergency room each year. New designs offer more stability and safety.

These are key features of today’s ladders or step stools that may be worth a look if your ladder is showing its age.

• Wider steps. When you have a step that is wider, there’s a bigger landing space for your feet – and that can reduce the chances of slipping.
• Better traction. Look for slip-resistant rungs to improve footing. Also look for wider ladder feet or those with a flared base to increase traction.
• Easy set-up. Look for ladders that have mechanisms that clearly signal when the ladder is properly set up, like an audible click or a visible lock position.
• Hold more tools. Rather than one rickety shelf, some ladders can now help you from reaching or going up and down often with tool trays, hardware compartments, magnetic areas, hooks and more. Just be careful not to overload the storage spaces so it doesn’t become unbalanced and unstable.
• Rails for support. Some ladders, primarily smaller ones for “around the house” jobs can be found with supportive guardrails.

Another important safety tip: Keep ladders and step stools on a surface that is firm, dry and level.

If you have balance issues, it may be best to avoid ladders and step stools so you aren’t overextending yourself as you reach for something. Try changing where everyday items are placed so they’re within easier reach, or ask a family member, friend or neighbor for help reaching items from hard-to-get spots.

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The Holiday Season is Just Around the Corner: 7 Reasons Why Age and Alcohol Don’t Mix

Experts say alcohol poses greater risks with age because it can intensify intoxication, interact with medications, worsen chronic conditions, increase fall risk and raise the likelihood of alcohol-related diseases.

Here are seven reasons why doctors and public health experts say age and alcohol don’t mix.

1. It takes less to get drunk. Just like the rest of the body, your liver isn’t getting any younger. That’s a big reason why you become more sensitive to alcohol with age. In addition, our bodies become less water and more fat with age. That water reduction makes older adults more prone to dehydration and likely to feel the effects of alcohol faster.
2. Increase in risk of disease and death. The U.S. Surgeon General warns about the direct link between alcohol consumption and cancer, including increased risk for seven types of cancer (breast, colorectal, esophageal, liver, mouth, throat and larynx).
3. Alcohol can worsen other chronic diseases. If you already have a chronic health condition, like high blood pressure or diabetes, drinking can make things worse.
4. It’s also bad for your bones. Risk for osteoporosis increases with age. Calcium helps keep them strong, but too much alcohol may prevent your bones from absorbing this essential mineral. And there’s more. The older you get, the more likely you are to fall, which can be catastrophic if you’ve got brittle bones. Even sober older adults are more prone to falls, so knocking back a few drinks can get extra dangerous. 
5. Alcohol can make you more susceptible to pain.  Alcohol can be a facilitator of chronic pain and make people more sensitive to pain. It also impacts depression and anxiety. Heavy drinkers are more likely to have anxiety and depression than people who drink less. For some, it may be that depression and anxiety drive them to drink. For others, drinking too much may lead to depression and anxiety.  
6. Drinking can disrupt your sleep.  Falling asleep and staying asleep become more challenging with age. Drinking decreases REM sleep – that good, deep, restorative sleep we all need. And then poor sleep can raise your risk for other health conditions or make existing health conditions worse.
7. Alcohol can mess with your meds. One research study said nearly half of older adults take five or more prescription drugs – and a lot of them may not go well with alcohol. It’s crucial you ask your doctor or pharmacist whether there are any risks to drinking while taking your specific medications. 

If you have more than seven drinks a week or more than three on any given day, health experts recommend looking at a change in habits. Lean on friends, family or even your health care professional if needed to help you cut back.

The definition of one drink is:

• Beer and wine coolers: 12 ounces
• Wine: 5 ounces
• Liquor: 1.5 ounces

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Nearly 1 in 3 Caregivers of Adults Are in the Sandwich Generation

For millions of Americans, caring for family means being pulled in two directions — raising children while supporting an aging or disabled family member. An estimated 17 million Americans  – 29 percent of all caregivers of adults – are part of the sandwich generation, simultaneously caring for a child under 18 and an adult with a disability or complex medical condition, according to newly released research from AARP and the National Alliance for Caregiving. These caregivers are considerably younger than other family caregivers, with an average age of 42, compared with an average age of 55 among caregivers without children under 18.

---we’ll get you ready for the Agri Business Show---when we come back for a final word on the Working on Wellness Wednesday

9:56/00—KELO Commercials

9:57/30---Wellness Wednesday

   Thanks for joining us on his Working on Wellness Wednesday Show---if you haven’t listened to our 10-11 show-----you should----about 10 years ago---those in agriculture—reminded us that they are the #1 industry in South Dakota and we should have an Agri Business show---

---we have and we still do-----and that includes not only the 10-11 hour daily---but the South Dakota Farmers Union monthly show which we did yesterday----with SD President Doug Sombke---and the National Farmers Union President Rob Larew---LIVE----good show –you can listen to it on our website------today at your convenience

---for now---our time is up—thank you for yours…