Living To 100 Is Easier Than You Think

[truthpusher]

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/02/11/health/main3819003.shtml

Living To 100 Is Easier Than You Think

CHICAGO, Feb. 11, 2008
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(AP) Living to 100 is easier than you might think.

Surprising new research suggests that even people who develop heart disease or diabetes late in life have a decent shot at reaching the century mark.

"It has been generally assumed that living to 100 years of age was limited to those who had not developed chronic illness," said Dr. William Hall of the University of Rochester.

Hall has a theory for how these people could live to that age. In an editorial in Monday's Archives of Internal Medicine, where the study was published, he writes that it might be thanks to doctors who aggressively treat these older folks' health problems, rather than taking an "ageist" approach that assumes they wouldn't benefit.

For the study, Boston University researchers did phone interviews and health assessments of more than 500 women and 200 men who had reached 100. They found that roughly two-thirds of them had avoided significant age-related ailments.

But the rest, dubbed "survivors," had developed an age-related disease before reaching 85, including high blood pressure, heart disease or diabetes. Yet many functioned remarkably well - nearly as well as their disease-free peers.

Overall, the men were functioning better than the women. Nearly three-fourths of the male survivors could bathe and dress themselves, while only about one-third of the women could.

The researchers think that may be because the men had to be in exceptional condition to reach 100. "Women, on the other hand, may be better physically and socially adept at living with chronic and often disabling conditions," wrote lead author Dr. Dellara Terry and her colleagues.

more at link

[Lone_Star_Dem]

1. I don't want to live that long.

Really, I don't. If I could set a goal it would be that all my remaining days on this earth (however few or many they may be) be self-sufficient and productive ones. Not that I just still be able to bathe and dress myself. :(

[MADem]

3. I do!! If I can bathe and dress myself at a hundred, I can probably also

turn on the computer, pick up the remote and flip through the tv channels, listen to the radio, read a paper....visit with the new generations, enjoy the family, call up friends, enjoy each and every day! So what if I don't run marathons at a hundred--I don't now!

[Lone_Star_Dem]

12. I can respect that

I worked in a nursing home when I was younger. My shift was the 11PM-7AM graveyard. I spent far too many a lonely night comforting people who couldn't sleep and only wanted a person to actually listen to them. The result is I've been left with a jaded view of living a long life.

I don't want to to misunderstand me though. I truly loved my job and the people under my care.

[MADem]

14. I've always had an ability to amuse myself, if need be!

I don't get lonely. In fact, I like a little peace and quiet--I don't get enough of it!

Of course, I come from a family that won't leave any family member alone, at least not for long, from one to a hundred! We've all got that GASBAG gene, I'm afraid. So odds are good I wouldn't be lonely if I tried!

Gee, imagine how much more fun those wide-awake seniors would have had if they only had a nice laptop to warm their knees and give them something to do at three in the morning. I think the nursing homes that are teaching the residents how to use the net are just the ticket...!

[MADem]

2. This is a great article and deserves a K/R. I hope others take the time to read it. NT

[truthpusher]

6. how big a role in dying is accepting the perceived inevitable?

[MADem]

9. Probably a HUGE role. Look at McCain's momma--she ain't going anywhere if she can help it.

And neither is her twin sister.

[truthpusher]

10. probably not surrounded by people telling her that she is supposed to die...

it is sooooooo important to let the old among us know how important they are, how much they are needed and appreciated.

[Little Star]

20. I wanna know, where the heck is the other half of Mac's genes?

How long did his father live? What did he die from? I know, Mac has half good genes. Now which half is the question, Top/bottom?
Oh gawd, for Cindy's sake, lets pray his good genes are the top half of him. Yeah, I Know he can still grope. Uck!!! :rofl:

[jody]

4. I have only 28 to go1 n/t

[Wizard777]

16. 24 years to go. n/t

[yurbud]

5. that means McCain can run at least seven more times...

[Alexander]

7. What a horrifying thought.

McCain in '24! Because he's not dead yet!

:scared:

[Art_from_Ark]

13. Future photo of McCain stumpin' in '24

[klook]

8. Compressed morbidity, not longevity

should be the goal. In other words, live a good long healthy life, with a short drop-off at the end. The pattern for many Americans these days is to survive well past the natural point of death with a combination of pharmaceuticals, expensive machinery, and more and more frequent medical interventions--thus going into a protracted, gradual decline. I'd much rather be in good health as long as I can, and then when the time comes, go out after a short, steep decline.

See Healthy Aging by Dr. Andrew Weil.

[jmm]

11. Two of my great-grandparents and atleast one of my

great-great-grandparents live to be 100. They all were relatively healthy until soon before they died. Living that long doesn't have to mean the last decades of your life are spent slowly wasting away.

It's great that some in this article want to focus on aggressive treatment but prevention needs to be focused on as aggressively so more people can enjoy their last years. Also without a better health care system in this nation too many won't be able to benefit from any advances in health care.

[El Pinko]

15. If living to 100 was easy, everyone would do it.

There are only 55,000 people over 100 in the US today. Only a tiny percentage of people make it to that age, because in addition to the environmental and dietary/lifestyle factors that pcik us off, it seems that for many people, the body simply starts to shut down at a certain, though highly individual age.


I eat right, exercise, don't smoke, etc. and would love to live to 100 if I'm lucid and not bedridden, so I can watch my great-grandkids grow up, and in fact I even live as though I will, but it would be pretty unrealistic to assume that I'll really make it past 90, barring some dramatic medical advances. It's just not that common for men, especially taller men, to live that long.


My grandma is 96 and going strong, though...

[SoCalDem]

17. Sorry, but living to be 100, if you run out of money at 70 is no fun to think about..n/t

[cgrindley]

18. Why would anyone want to do that?

I hope I die in the next decade. Certainly before I turn 60. Living to 100 is selfish.

[Skittles]

19. ?

come on now - 60, 70 - not that old these days

[cgrindley]

21. Of course 60 and 70 are old

I think that people fail to forget that life expectancy is based on the year you were born. It is only 76.29 years for American children born today. 70 is old. People, typically, die in their early 70's.

I think that boomers are in denial on this issue. People die. Wanting to live to 100 and suck up valuable social security, medicare etc is selfish.

[Skittles]

22. you sound like a miserable person

I agree it would not be best for you to live to 100.

[blues90]

23. I'll pass on living to be 100

Once you are old you are in the way and they want you out of the way one way or another .

No thanks , I already know what that feels like .

[karlrschneider]

24. Hell, I've done it 3 times Cold Turkey! Nyet problemski!

:D