How to Live to 100

Last week I wrote about people I've known who lived to extreme old age more or less independently in their own homes. How did they become so old and age so successfully? Jane Brody, in a recent article on centenarians in the Times, looked at some of the answers.

Hazel Miller, who was interviewed for Brody's article along with six other centenarians and a 99-year-old, had one answer: "There's no secret about it, really. You just don't die, and you get to be 100." That's a good answer, because although we know that genes, life style, and personality all play a role, their individual contributions can only be estimated. One reason for our limited predictive ability is the role of chance or luck, which is by definition unpredictable.

The contribution of heredity, while important, is surprisingly small. Brody cited a Swedish study, based on a sample of identical twins separated at birth and raised apart. It found that heredity explained only twenty to thirty per cent of variation in longevity. Lifestyle, according to the Swedish study, seems to be the most important factor. But lifestyle, of course, is comprised of many components. Which are the most important?

A U. S. Government study that was reported in a separate article in the same issue of the Times, explored the "Hispanic Paradox." Although Hispanics in America are more likely to be poor and less likely to be covered by health insurance, they outlive African-Americans and non-Hispanic whites. On the average, Hispanics in America live eight years longer than African-Americans and two and a half years longer than non-Hispanic whites. Elizabeth Arias, who compiled the statistics, suggested that two factors explain the discrepancies, a lower rate of smoking and "close social and family ties."

Indeed, Brody reported that a study of centenarians in Sardinia found that in addition to being physically active, they tended to maintain strong ties with family and friends. They were also less likely to be depressed than the typical 60-year-old. As for personality, a study of almost 100,000 American women found that the optimists were healthier and significantly less likely to die of heart disease than pessimists, who were also less likely to exercise and more likely to be overweight and to smoke.

Many of the interviewees quoted in Brody's article mentioned strong social ties, exercise, and an optimistic outlook on life. Centenarian Travilla Demming reported that "I always put anything disagreeable or bad out of the way...Just get rid of it or rise above it." Esther Tuttle, 99 years old, said "I am blessed and I have worked on it. You've got to work, be cheerful, and look for something fun to do. It's a whole attitude." She also advised people to follow their doctors' advice. And Mae Anderson, 103 years old, said that she tries to live in the present and not dwell on past mistakes. Thinking about "what you should have done or could have done is not going to help you."

Still, not all the interviewees for Brody's article appeared to be positive thinkers. Otto Seidel, 101, complained about his loss of memory. "And it's a stinker, because it makes you feel miserable at times." And Gladys D'Less, 100, said that she feels useless and "not doing any good to anybody."

Centenarian Phil Damsky, who lived independently until a year ago, when his family insisted that he move into an assisted living facility, reminded us that no one lives forever, and so it's important to "enjoy every minute that you're living. I think that's good advice."

So, if you hope to live to be 100, stop smoking, keep your weight down, exercise regularly, maintain your friendships and your family ties, work at something you like to do, follow your doctor's advice, try to look at the bright side of things, and hope that a bus won't knock you down on your way to the gym. And while you're at it, follow Phil Damsky's advice: enjoy every minute that you're alive. That's good advice even if you're not aiming to reach 100.