My Great Uncle at 102 years of age.
My great uncle was a part of the Horry County Oral History Project in 1990, and relayed more details about his grandfather, who was born in 1824, when James Monroe was President of the U.S.
Part of my family history is depicted in the book, "Down By the Riverside."
My great grandmother, my great uncle's mother, was Cherokee Indian. She died at 104 years of age.
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A longtime family friend in Florida, James S.
Picture taken on his birthday by his daughter, Flo, October 3, 2003 at 103 years of age. James was born in 1900.
James S. in October 2004 at 104 years.
James is now 105 years old. See picture below with son and other family member.
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Centenarians
Throughout the industrialized world, the subgroup of the elderly who are 100 years old or older is growing at a more rapid rate than any other segment of the population. Consider the following statitics:
In 1900, there was on centenarian for every 100,000 people in the U.S.
In 2000, the rate was one centenarian per 10,000 people, or a total of about 50,000 people.
By 2010, the centenarian population will quadruple, reaching 200,000.
By 2050, the centenarian population will reach 1,000,000 - more than 90 percent of whom will be female.
Many geriatric researchers have turned their attention to the over-100 group to discover the causes of extreme longevity. The New England Centenarian Study, which is currently underway at Harvard Medical School, has a number of interesting findings.
Reports of specific geographic locations where many people are said to live to the age of 150 are either complete fabrications or gross exaggerations.
The oldest documented person in recorded history was 122 years old at her death in 1997.
Family studies suggest that longevity tends to run in families. Most centenarians have large numbers of siblings.
There is a relationship between late motherhood and centenarian status.
Whatever the cause of extreme longevity, the increasing number of centenarians is likely to change developmentatlists' understanding of old age.
According to the New England Centenarian Study of Harvard Medical School, 30 percent of America's oldest old have acute minds, while 20 percent or more may have short-term memory problems but still are getting by just fine. Some studies indicate that people in their 90s and older have better overall health than those 10 or 20 years younger. And, while the number of people 65 years of age or over is growing rapidly, the number of people in that age group who are disabled or in nursing homes is increasing much more slowly. It is reported that many of these individuals have managed to avoid major illnesses like heart disease. It is reported that over their whole lifespan, these people have seldom spent much time with a doctor.
Related Learning Links
Looks at aging from the perpsective of a woman who is 102 years of age with good physical and mental health.
A site developed by Lynn Peters Adler, J.D.--a lawyer--who has devoted her career to the concerns of centenarians, longevity, and positive aging. The site includes "Centenarians This Millennium," where she interviews 12 Centenarians. These are very strong, healthy and activie people, ranging in age from 100 years and over. The site also has much information on centenarians, boo excerpts, stories, tributes, etc. Includes a Centenarian Registry where you can include the names of people you know 99 years of age or older. A great site!
For starters, eat nuts and socialize, says longevity expert Dan Buettner.
Our genes harbor many secrets to a long and healthy life. And now scientists are beginning to uncover them.
Research on the lifestyles of Centenarians.
The study is a part of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine's Longevity Genes Project, which includes more than 500 Ashkenazi Jews ages 95 and older, and 700 of their children.
Videos
Interviews with Centenarians-Videos
The Georgia Centenarian Study-documentary (1 hour 7 minutes)
Meet Georgia's Centenarians
Okinawan Centenarians
Centenarians of Azerbijan-Part 1
Centenarians of Azerbijan-Part 2
Authentic Wisdom of America's Centenarians
China has 54,000 Centenarians
Discussion Question
View the videos on Centenarians and the Related Learning Links. What does the information about centenarians suggest to you about social, political, and economic policies in the future?
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