Monterey, CA What's The Key To Being A Centenarian?

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Great leap forwards in medical technology have translated into increasingly longer life expectancies, although that has been a double-edged sword.  Many seniors didn't think they would live as long as they have and are suffering after the depression wiped out much of their assets.  Although the stock market has rebounded with a fervor recently, many sold their stocks after the market decline and put their diminished funds into cash, missing the latest bull market.  An article in the Monterey Herald today noted that according to the U.S. Census, the number of American centenarians has doubled in the last 20 years to 72,000 and is projected to at least double again in just 7 years, by 2020.  Some believe that this is a conservative estimate.  Linda Van Eldik, director of the Sanders-Brown Center on Aging at the University of Kentucky said it's not just eating right and exercise that contributes to longevity.  Having a positive outlook on life is also a major factor.  It's not that these people had an easy life, watching at least one World War and the Great Depression amongst many other tragic events, but rather they were able to come out of bad events with a positive attitude.  That's an important thing to consider given all of the turbulence we have seen with the economy and other aspects of our lives.

Please note that this blog reflects my personal opinion and may or may not reflect the opinion of Hands To Help Seniors and the individual members comprising the Board of Governors.