Strong Glutes for Longevity, Seniors Seeking Roommates, Humanoid Robots for Dementia Care, Key Youth Associated Proteins 6-2-26
Hosted by Linda Sherman and Ray Gordon this was News for the Ages by Rethinking Aging Club recorded on June 2 2026. Debbie Howard reported on the importance of glute strength to longevity and ran through exercises like glute bridges and squats to strengthen different sets of glute muscles. Elizabeth Magallon Fleury reported on seniors seeking roommates due to rising housing costs, noting a 300% increase in older adults using the Spare Room service. Benjamin Surmi discussed a year-long study on humanoid robots in dementia care at UC Davis. Ellen Khalifa shared insights from a Swiss study on centenarians, revealing key biological differences that contribute to their longevity.
Presented by Debbie Howard, Aging Matters International
NY Times 4-7-26 Strong Glutes as Longevity Hero by Hilary Achauer
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/25/well/move/strong-glutes-health-longevity.html
Vocabulary:
Dead butt syndrome
We brought up the fact that visual references are helpful for exercise.
Follow Jim Brown on IG or TikTok @ABalancedYou. He was on our Rethinking Aging Club Fitness – Rehab show May 30, 2024.
And our Longevity, Falls Prevention on September 25, 2025
Also Morla Moves is a useful visual tool that includes feedback on how you are doing. You can navigate to glute specific exercises on their app. Co-Founder and CEO Ozelm Mertoglu talked about their product on our April 23, 2026 Rethinking Aging Club Podcast
We mentioned TRX which is great for glute exercises and more pleasant than many alternatives. Linda Sherman on TRX straps for a visual.
Presented by Elizabeth Magallon Fleury, CAPS, Life’s Encore Planning
NPR 4-4-26 Seniors Seeking Roommates Because of Housing Costs by Jennifer Ludden
https://www.npr.org/2026/04/04/nx-s1-5760948/high-housing-costs-seniors-seeking-roommates
Spare Room Data based on usage: Note charts go right to left
Homeshare Online (formerly Silvernest) was on our Living Choices Rethinking Aging Club Podcast 9-1-22.
Cooperative Housing Covered in News for the Ages 8-26-25
Ellen Khalifa reported Regenerative co-housing for News for the Ages
Elizabeth mentioned loneliness being a factor in deciding to room with someone for aging adults. Please note our Rethinking Aging Club Podcast on Social Connections and Mental Health May 28, 2026.
Presented by Benjamin Surmi, Senior Living Expert and Social Gerontologist
UC Davis News Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing May 28, 2026 by Rebecca Badeaux
UC Davis launches first long-term U.S. study led by nurses on humanoid robots in dementia care
https://health.ucdavis.edu/news/headlines/uc-davis-launches-first-long-term-us-study-led-by-nurses-on-humanoid-robots-in-dementia-care/2026/05
Ray Gordon brought up telepresence robots. We saw the Beam (telepresence) robot by Suitable Technologies at CES 2018. Sold in 2019 to Blue Ocean Robotics in Denmark.
Telepresence robots became a minor player because during COVID, ordinary video conferencing through platforms like ZOOM was used. Telepresence robots remained useful in specialized situations (hospitals, schools, factories, and conferences) but never became mainstream office equipment.
A quote from Benjamin on how this study differs from what is usually done.
“Roschelle “Shelly” Fritz is leading a team of researchers on a year long study embedded in a memory care community versus a one time study, or a four week study, or something like that. It’s a year long study where basically all the residents that live there get to participate with this robot, versus like, okay, we’re only going to have eight out of 16 try this thing, and we’re going to measure the difference between the two groups, they’re interested in seeing things like what kind of interactions take place. How do people’s emotions change over time? What is the impact of the robot on the residents, on the staff?” ‘The community is one of Eskaton’s which is a big senior living company with an executive director of innovation.’
Presented by Ellen Khalifa, Habits Coach for Healthspan and Wellspan
Why Some People Reach 100 4-9-26 by University of Geneva
https://scitechdaily.com/why-some-people-reach-100-new-study-reveals-key-biological-differences/
Reference: “Plasma Proteome Profiling of Centenarians Across Switzerland Reveals Key Youth-Associated Proteins” by Flavien Delhaes, Justine Falciola, Adar Hoffman, Stéphanie Carnesecchi, Stefano Cavalli, Armin von Gunten, Daniela S. Jopp, François R. Herrmann and Karl-Heinz Krause, 8 February 2026, Aging Cell.
Study
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Nickie’s Tune written and performed by Richard Sherman
