91 years and beyond (Timeless Elder)

Longevity has been a goal that humankind has pursued for centuries. According to a Global Health and Aging report from 2011, the global number of centenarians is projected to increase tenfold between 2010 and 2050, with an overwhelming 80% being women. In Britain, there were just 24 centenarians in 1917, but today, that number has grown to more than 15,000! Reaching such an advanced age depends on a mix of genetics, socioeconomic factors, and psychological characteristics. Avoiding key turning points, such as disease, wars, or poverty, also plays a crucial role. Discover how different factors can impact your life expectancy by trying out the lifespan calculator available on this site. It’s a quick way to get an overview tailored to you!

Lynn Peters, co-author of Celebrate 100: Centenarian Secrets to Success in Business and Life, shares that when asked, many active centenarians say life is still fun at 100 and that reaching this age is indeed worthwhile. Interestingly, many of them feel much younger than they actually are, suggesting that living longer is something to strive for!

Today, many of us know someone or have a relative who is 91 years or older—a rarity just a few decades ago. Occasionally, we hear about incredibly active timeless elders who continue to stay fit by doing yoga or even running marathons. Eileen Ash is one such inspirational example: Watch Eileen Ash in Action.

Secrets to a Long Life: Advice from Timeless Elders

So, what do these timeless elders credit for their longevity? According to Lynn Peters, these are some of the main habits they often cite:

A Positive Attitude: Maintaining a realistic or optimistic outlook on life.
Balanced Diet: Eating smaller portions, like people did in the 1960s; smoking and drinking in moderation.
Regular Exercise: Keeping the mind and body active through moderate exercise.
Faith: Whether faith in life, in oneself, or in a higher power, staying positive was key.
Clean Living: Avoiding trouble and following one’s conscience.
A Loving Family: Sharing life’s journey with loved ones.
Good Genetics: As Lynn Peters humorously puts it, “Pick the right parents!” A bit of luck certainly helps.

Gail Sheehy, author of New Passages and other books, describes successful centenarians as:

“The word researchers apply most frequently to centenarians is ‘adaptable.’ All have suffered losses and setbacks. But even the most intense loss, such as the passing of a spouse after 50 or 60 years of marriage, was mourned, and then the person moved on. Other characteristics of healthy centenarians, gathered from various studies, include high native intelligence, keen interest in current events, a good memory, and few illnesses. They tend to be early risers, sleeping an average of six to seven hours. Most drink coffee, follow no strict diets but prefer foods high in protein and low in fat. They are not uniform in their drinking habits but use less medication than many older people do in a week. They live in the present, embrace change, and are usually religious in a broad sense.”

Albert Rosenfeld, in his book Pro-longevity, writes about those who have reached or surpassed the age of 100:

“It was clear that, though these individuals worked hard and enjoyed their work, there was a marked lack of high ambition. They lived relatively quiet and independent lives, were generally happy with their jobs, families, and religion, and had few regrets. Nearly all expressed a strong will to live and a high appreciation for the simple experiences and pleasures of life.”

Learning from Timeless Elders

There is so much we can learn from those in this Blob. Their ability to adapt, maintain a positive outlook, and cherish simple pleasures has helped them reach such an advanced age. They certainly have every reason to feel satisfied, proud, and lucky.

Do you know any timeless elders who inspire you? Share their stories in the comments below. Or download the Life Stages in Blobs Worksheet now and document their journey!

Read about any other Blob:
Spring: 1-6, 7-12, 13-18, 19-24
Summer: 25-30, 31-36, 37-42, 43-48
Autumn: 49-54, 55-60, 61-66, 67-72
Winter: 73-78, 79-84, 85-91, 91-…