We often hear talk about the UK having an “ageing population” which of course is absolutely true. In the 1900s only 4% of the population was 60 or over. Nowadays there are increasing numbers working well into their 60s, and half the children who were born at the millennium will live to see 100.
The New England centenarian study is a US based research project which looks into the factors affecting longevity. Running since 1995 it has concluded that around a quarter of factors relate to so called “good genes” – which means that there are certainly actions we can take to influence the length of our lives.
There are a number of famous British people who have reached significant birthdays this year. The Queen and David Attenborough to name but two. Of course in cases such as these wealth, notoriety and class have probably played a part in not only prolonging life but health. True, the Queen reduced her Royal duties a few years back, but she still maintains a pretty punishing schedule by anyone’s standards.
Carole Jagger is a professor of the epidemiology of ageing at Newcastle University; involved in a study of 200 people aged over 85 in the Newcastle area. “It’s a complete fallacy that the majority of the ‘older old’ are in their bath chairs and lonely. A minority were lonely, but that was to do with widowhood and it got better over time.”
“What also matters is that they are firmly connected to family and friends,” says Jagger. “In ageing, adding life to years is what counts.”
The study began in 2006 and will soon revisit the group, now aged 95. Many, regardless of income, are independent, scoring high in 17 activities, including cutting their own toenails, dressing and walking. Half take exercise for enjoyment, 20% are involved in clubs and hobbies, and 10% help others. Whether the North East has a more enlightened attitude to ageing is unclear, but it seems unlikely that the findings would be the same in places where there is a generally reduced sense of community such as London.
To finish here are the New England Centenarian Study’s top tips for living to 100
Money in the bank helps, but if you are overfed, underactive and stressed, that can negate the impact of affluence.
Stay lean, eat “clean” Avoid processed food, eat little meat and more olive oil, fruit and vegetables; drink good coffee and wine.
Don’t smoke
Be extrovert Stay active; “give back”; remain connected to family and friends.
Motherhood post-40 A woman who has a child naturally beyond 40 has a four times greater chance of living to 100 compared with one who does not – a possible indication that her reproductive system is ageing slowly and so the rest of her body is as well.
Male siblings of centenarians are 17 times more likely to reach 100. Female siblings have an 8.5 times greater chance than their peers of reaching a century.
Resilience The ability to bounce back from serious disease, such as cancer, heart disease and diabetes, obviously helps.
Good genes Between 25% and 30% of longevity is attributable to the quality of your genes.
To read more on this see:
http://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/apr/17/britons-at-90-healthier-wiser-indepedent-rich-queen
http://www.bumc.bu.edu/centenarian/
Or to read more of our blogs click the link below:
http://www.expertisehomecare.co.uk/blog/