LIVING TO BE 100 YEARS OLD

The old rusty Nail

AN E-JOURNAL FOR OLD PEOPLE

Russell Burton, an Old Person

I ran across an article which appeared in a January/February 2013 issue of Health entitled ‘Live Long and Strong – Secrets From 100-Year Old Women” by Aviva Patz.  Of course, it had to be about women for very few men live that long.  I am not sure that I want to live to that age unless I was wealthy, healthy and wise.  Well I know I will not be wealthy unless some most-unlikely thing happens. Still to be healthy and wise at 100 might be fun. You know two out of three is not all that bad.

The article, showed ‘recent’ pictures of six of them and most looked to be in their 70s or perhaps even younger – quite amazing.  Of course each had some wisdom as they called it about living to be a centurion.

The article started with an interesting bit of trivia.  Fifty years ago just one person in 67,000 lived to be 100.  Today scientists predict that half of people born now will reach that age!  Wow… I am not surprised by these data for when I was growing up I wished I would live to see the turn of the century for that would have made me 68 years old, my life expectancy at that time.  Here I am 83 years old, healthy and I plan to live at least another ten years – perhaps to be 100!  Who knows…

Like I have written before my Uncle is healthy and 93 years old, my father died in his late 80s and my mother lived until the age of 92 so at least longevity is in my genes.  But, certainly this article showed that there is much more to reaching that age than merely genes for this remarkable increase in longevity over the last 100 years can not be explained by our genetic pattern – genes just don’t change that rapidly!  So, this increase in longevity clearly shows that right now half of us have genes to become centurions!

Of course much of this increase in longevity must be attributed to advances in public health, medicine, nutrition, technology (standard of living) and automobile safety.  Still there is some value in examining the wisdom of these six-young-looking 100 year-old women.

The article begins with a brief summary of their living habits including 77% exercise; 88% drink (alcohol I presume) and 22% go online.  Now, ‘going online’ I do not believe has anything to do with successful aging.  Well maybe as this suggest that they are trying out something new – looking forward.

The first individual piece of wisdom is ‘Get off your butt!’  This woman does Pilates for one hour each week.  Certainly exercise as a routine is important.  Just by walking 30 minutes several times a week is of great value in staying healthy.  In addition, weight lifting, aerobics on a stationary bicycle, stretches, and working on one’s balance are additional important exercises.

The second piece of wisdom found in this article is ‘Buddy up.’ Have an active social life.  Such social interactions ‘boost your brainpower’ and certainly are helpful in warding off depression, a common malady of old people.

Next, ‘Watch your weight – sanely’ which includes a healthy low-fat diet. In addition, exercise and not smoking are mentioned as key habits in reducing disease risk by 80%.  Please note that exercise keeps returning in the picture of successful aging.

Fourth, ‘Find a passion and follow it.’  This woman explained that ‘seeing the world’ that is being engaged with the world ‘gives meaning’.  Find out what makes you the happiest and do it such as hobbies like photography, gardening, or painting.  My major passion is of course writing.  I need to do it everyday which usually involves this blog.

Next to last, ‘Apply lipstick’ which means take care of your looks.  Well, I don’t think I will do that. One study, found a lower blood pressure in women who thought they looked younger after a hair job. I suppose I should get a hair cut more often.

Oops, lastly this 100-year-old lady did everything wrong such as being overweight and never exercising but her fix on longevity is ‘Look for silver linings’. A study from an aging institute found that being optimistic will help you live longer and happier lives.

A sidebar suggests that you can eat your way to health and old age.  Suggested were (1) eat five fruits and vegetables each day; (2) daily intake of low-fat yogurt; (3) eat fish 2-3 times each week; (4) snack on nuts; and (5) get plenty of fiber.

So there we have it - the secrets of long life.  Of course, none of these are secrets and without genetics on your side they will not offer you life for a century, still all of these suggestions for long life are important in living a longer and healthier life.   And, so you don’t make 100 years, 99 is nothing to sneer at. 

I mentioned my Uncle previously in this article who is doing quite well at 93 years of age. Now, I have never asked him his secret about successful aging.  He walks a bit; eats healthy food which his daughter fixes for him; engages actively in family matters and has a libation or two every night.  I think the last secret is an important one!

Well, the ‘old rusty nail’ is signing off another article on being old. Hey, just being old tells us that we must be doing something right.   It is indeed a privilege that I hope we all enjoy and appreciate every day.