Longevity and quality of life are some of the factors that bring people together on this forum. For many of us, there is something fascinating about human longevity that extends to centenarian status.
I was at an event yesterday in which there was a 100 year old man present and it was remarkable to see - he was being honoured for his time serving during World War II and beyond. Mobility wise he did need a walker, but it was incredible to see how youthful he appeared otherwise. Additionally, the joy on his face and his positive emotional state was obvious. Due to the nature of the event, I wasnāt able to talk to him directly, but it was still inspiring. I believe that this is only the second centenarian Iāve ever met.
Have you ever met a centenarian? What was the experience like? What did you take away from it? Did you glean any wisdom that you might apply to your own life?
I met a woman, 103, who was not mobil and could not stand or walk by herself. She looked fragile with all blood vessels clearly seen under her almost transparent skin. She was extremely thin and pale. It was almost a surreal experience and I could not hold my tears.
Yes. My great aunt made it to 101. Her husband had died ~20 years earlier, and from around 90 she basically couldnāt live by herself any more. From 91, she lived in a care home where she actually did pretty well for a few years. From around 96 the health issues started cropping up - infections that wouldnāt clear nicely, some weight loss and frailty. She never had cancer, donāt think she ever had cardiovascular disease, and she was mentally competent all the way until the final couple months. In the final months she was quite distressed, feeling lost in the care home, asking to go home, kept asking where her husband was etc. Eventually passed away in her sleep and it seems that kidney failure was the formal cause of death.
She did get a signed birthday card from Queen Elizabeth II (as is tradition for 100th birthday), which was nice.
Edit: as for wisdom, not really. She was one of the few who did not smoke. She also rarely drank alcohol. She was very slim her whole life. And maybe the biggest factor - she never had children of her own.
He was still attending Toastmasters meetings at 102. Still clear of mind. Yes, he ran out of energy fast, and his skin was so thin that heād bleed easily. But he got to the meetings, and he stood at the podium, and he spoke well ā extremely well.
He could use humor, and he was gentle. He gave accurate feedback, but he knew how to give feedback that made you happy to hear it. Somehow you werenāt afraid to have his critique after your presentation.
I remember his smile. I remember his encouragement. I remember his attitude of āLook, I can do this, at my age; you can do it at yours.ā
He was kind. He was generous. He made people feel like they mattered.
I had occasion to talk to a 106 year old man. On a hot summer day in Texas, I drove up to his house and he was working in his vegetable garden with his wife, who was 98.
I have the privilege to be involved with several!
I meet them few times a year. One of them is a Chinese woman who is 102 yrs now. Very social, cognitively sharp and carries a flip phone and remembers phone numbers of people she cares about. She spends several days a week at a local Chinese restaurant just helping them out even though owners are related to her only throug years of her helping them out. Many patrons feel she works there. She regularly goes to dim sum, eats Chinese food. She does have well controlled diabetes and kidney disease.
Other just turned 100 yrs old ealrier this year. She is a really jolly white female who still drives and plays bridge which tells you how sharp she is at the golden age! She also eats regular healthy food with low salt etc but no fancy supplements. Little bit of exercise but nothing crazy. She has been living at a senior living for so long that her daughter recently moved into the same facilty and her financial planner says she will be running out of money soon ā¦hahhhaaa.
I know a few men in their mid 90s too but they havent breached the ceiling yet.
Iāve met a few in nursing homes. One SNF where I was conducting some testing of our wound imaging system back in the mid 90ās had 6 over 100, oldest was 105.
It was in Seattle and was a Japanese only nursing home. They had a ranking list on the wall of current ages The staff we very proud and incredibly supportive of their elders and introduced me to 2 of those and the 2 I met we both male. Neither of those gentlemen had a bed sore. In fact out of over 80 residents they only had 1 individual with a bed sore which is a testament to the care they were receiving.
Only 1 of the top 6 was female and I found that odd. Lots of females down down the scale in the high 90ās though.
Wonering how many of us would like to be like that, over hundred and in a fascility depending on help from others. Or do you picture yourself living independently, going to a gym, and socializing with your centenarian buddies?
I know many people dread moving and donāt do well, but for those who adjust, living in an aging complex allows them to meet people and have built in social activities. If living to 100, the sad reality is most of your friends will be gone, so the opportunity to form new social bonds from being near peers might be a big plus.
My sis in law is in the biz and she says the key to being happy there is to move before you need toā¦ when you are well enough to form new friendships.
For me, I could instead happily picture a condo in a doorman building in a walkable city. Close to people and restaurants and a home of my choosing.
I havenāt heard of a single centenarian who takes the longevity drugs and supplements that we do on here (combined with some form of exercise). Imagine if they were actually TRYING to live long. Iād imagine we would be seeing more centenarians and their quality of life would be better at that age too.
Looks like all centenarians need to rely on others to take care of their daily needs, no matter where - in a nursing facility or a condo residence. Home aid cost is $30/hour and growing. Assisted living is at least $60K annually and growing.
I have seen and taken care of many in the ER. The oneās that worry me are the 99 yoās because I donāt want to do anything to stop them from getting to 100. The one I remember most is a gentleman who had a forearm number tattoo from the concentration camp.
I honestly question whether it would make a huge difference to those who already reach 100. To get that old, youāve already dodged the bullets of cardiovascular disease and cancer, which have strong genetic and lifestyle components. And those are the biggest ālongevityā interventions we have so far.
But I do believe that some people die early (60s, 70s, maybe 90s) that didnāt have to, and could have been avoided by basic interventions, screenings etc. As for whether it can take a person past 100, I have no idea.
I have a friend from school days. We were in the same class from age 12 and have remained friends. Weāre now 68. His mum is still going at age 104. I met her several times years ago, but not since she turned 100. She only moved into a care home at about 100. She had a cardiac ablation for atrial fibrillation at age 95. (Doctors usually donāt do that past the age of 80.) She walks with a frame but is still mentally fine.
The staff we very proud and incredibly supportive of their elders and introduced me to 2 of those and the 2 I met we both male. Neither of those gentlemen had a bed sore. In fact out of over 80 residents they only had 1 individual with a bed sore which is a testament to the care they were receiving.