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Leonardo da Vinci did most of his writing backward.

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kindness is the key to longevity

 Most mornings, 101-year-old Bea Rudney embraces the day on her patio, pedaling a stationary bike.

“I ride to nowhere,” said the effervescent former nurse, who retired from Kaiser Permanente in 1983 after 35 years.

What is Rudney’s secret to longevity?

Her family says it’s her positive attitude and zest for life.

The glamorous centenarian recently hosted an ice cream social, which has become an annual tradition for more than 40 years at her home in the Oakland hills, nestled in a cluster of redwood trees.

“Our mother inspires our entire family with her youthful mindset, positive attitude, and graciousness,” said Rudney’s son, Eric Rudney. “She always looks forward to seeing friends and family, and she enjoys life to its fullest potential.” 

Rudney is in excellent health. She eats well — everything in moderation — and drinks lots of water. Rudney enjoys swimming and daily walks with her friends and family.

She also remains socially connected. She enjoys the rich cultural life of the Bay Area — theater, opera, dance, and music. Rudney has been a member of the League of Women Voters for many years, and she’s a lifelong participant of community organizations that support the elderly and minority groups.

Nursing career started 76 years ago

Rudney was born on March 7, 1923, in New Haven, Conn. After completing her nursing degree at Cornell University-New York Hospital School of Nursing, she married Stan Rudney.

Bea Rudney early in her nursing career

Bea Rudney is pictured early in her nursing career.

Soon after, the Rudneys moved to Oakland. Rudney was hired as a nurse at the Kaiser Permanente Oakland Medical Center in 1948.

She worked in the outpatient departments, rotating through several clinics and finally becoming the head nurse of the medical clinic. She obtained her master’s degree from University of California, San Francisco. Rudney went on to teach at the Kaiser Permanente School of Nursing, which graduated its last class in 1976. 

“I enjoyed working with the young students,” she said. “I loved being a nurse because I enjoyed spending time with the patients and feeling like I was making a difference. Oakland has such a diverse population. We served people from all walks of life, and I really liked that. I met so many interesting people.”

Passing down life lessons

The Rudneys were married for more than 60 years until Stan Rudney passed away in 2015.

Today, Rudney spends as much time as possible with her family. She has three sons, 12 grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren.

Rudney and her granddaughter look over photos.

Rudney and her granddaughter look over photos.

Rudney’s granddaughter, Alexis Rudney, said her grandma always makes people feel special and has inspired her to step outside her comfort zone.

“She keeps me calm and grounded,” Alexis Rudney said. “She has also taught me that the things you worry about won’t matter in the long run. She goes with the flow and has inspired me to travel and do so many things. We go on walks every day, and she beats me up the hill!”

Rudney hopes to pass down the life lessons she has learned to the next generation. She sprinkles her words of wisdom with humor and kindness.

“I’ve been really lucky,” she said. “I do have a positive attitude. I always say, ‘Be kind. It takes so much energy to be negative or angry.’”

Eric Rudney wholeheartedly agrees with his mom.

“Seeing the world through my mom’s eyes reminds us that the power of positive thinking leaves the world a better place than we found it.”

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DEI program

…

A DEI program, or diversity, equity, and inclusion program, is a set of policies, strategies, and practices that aim to create a workplace that is inclusive and respectful of all employees. DEI programs can include: 

Training

Training employees on how to work with colleagues from different backgrounds and identities. This can include bystander communication training to teach people how to intervene if they witness discrimination or harassment. 

Resource groups

Creating resource groups for underrepresented groups, such as women in leadership, Black employees, and military veterans. 

Hiring practices

Ensuring that hiring practices are inclusive and that biases don't affect how candidates are viewed. 

DEI programs are designed to address issues like discrimination, biases, and marginalization. The goal is to create a culture where all employees feel encouraged to express their ideas and perspectives. Research suggests that diverse viewpoints at all levels of an organization can improve financial results, innovation, and other areas of the business. 

DEI programs can take many forms, but they all share the goal of creating a more equitable and inclusive workplace. 

How poor sleep can hurt your heart

 How poor sleep can hurt your heart

An interview with Kaiser Permanente sleep expert Clarisse Glen, MD, sheds light on the importance of good sleep habits.

Making simple changes to your environment and bedtime routine can help improve sleep

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You don’t need a doctor to tell you that a good night’s sleep just makes you feel good. And not sleeping well — even for one night — can darken your mood and cause poor focus and drowsiness.

But did you know that poor sleep also affects your cardiovascular health?

Consistently poor sleep can increase your risk for obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, and arterial plaque buildup, all of which are bad for the heart.

One in 3 adults don’t get enough sleep, according to the American Heart Association. Most adults need 7 to 9 hours of sleep, while teens and younger kids need even more.

Clarisse Glen, MD, a sleep specialist at Kaiser Permanente in Sacramento, California, describes how long-lasting lack of sleep can hurt the heart. She also provides tips on getting better sleep.

How does poor sleep or lack of sleep affect the heart?

People who don’t get enough sleep or who wake up often can have a spike in their heart rates and blood pressure. In the long run this can lead to a heart attack or other cardiac event.

We see this especially with patients who have sleep apnea. Those patients have pauses in breathing during sleep, which cause oxygen levels to drop. The oxygen dip causes inflammation that can result in plaque buildup in your arteries. If you regularly sleep less than 6 hours a night, you have a significant risk of heart attack.

Sleep is a time when the body slows down and relaxes. During sleep, your blood pressure falls, and your heart is not working as hard as when you’re awake. This helps restore your mind and body.

When you don’t sleep well, a fight-or-flight response kicks in, releasing the hormone cortisol, which also can increase your risk for heart disease. Additionally, a lack of sleep can activate hormones that trigger overeating and a desire for higher-calorie foods. That can result in weight gain and may eventually lead to obesity.

Clarisse Glen, MD

Kaiser Permanente sleep specialist Clarisse Glen, MD

How can you get a better night’s sleep?

Good sleep starts with good behavior, or what we call sleep hygiene. Lifestyle changes improve sleep the most.

Quality and quantity of sleep have decreased significantly with the advancement of smartphones, laptops, and tablets. People scroll social media in bed, and then wonder why they don’t get good sleep.

Follow these tips for better sleep:

Limit electronics use, including no screens one hour before bedtime.

Create a consistent sleep and wake-up time. Get into bed at the same time every night. Get out of bed at the same time in the morning.

Keep your bedroom cool, dark, and quiet.

Don’t take stimulating substances, such as caffeine, at night. Your last cup of coffee should be at least 6 hours before bedtime.

Avoid alcohol before going to sleep. Although it can make you sleepy, once it metabolizes, it will wake you up. Then it’s difficult to get back to sleep.

Abstain from drinking liquids 2 hours before bedtime to reduce the need to use the bathroom during the night.

Can sleep aids, such as melatonin or prescription sleeping pills, help with sleep?

We don’t recommend sleep aids as a long-term solution for improving sleep. Our bodies develop a tolerance to them, and then they don’t work.

Plus, most sleep issues are caused by your behavior before bedtime, or by depression or anxiety.

When should you contact your doctor about sleep issues?

For people who have difficulty sleeping due to anxiety or depression, we recommend connecting with a mental health professional for cognitive behavioral therapy.

We also recommend contacting your doctor if:

You’re experiencing excessive daytime sleepiness

You have sleep apnea symptoms such as snoring, choking, or gasping for air during sleep

Your insomnia (having trouble falling or staying asleep) lasts more than 8 weeks

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