Centenarian Tips for Healthy Aging and Staying Young

September is “Healthy Aging Month”, so this month we’ll look at multiple sources to discover the Healthy Lifestyle Habits of Centenarians, hear examples from my 100 year old Grandfather Nelson Nieuwenhuis’s life, and research based healthy habits for Staying young and Living “More Good Years with Health and Vitality”!!

First we’ll look at the results from a poll of centenarians from WebMD July 28th, 08 who said these tips were “very important” to healthy aging.

Those top ten healthy aging lifestyle habits were;

1) Relationships with family and friends (staying close with them)—90%
2) Be a Lifelong Learner and Keep your Mind Active—89%
3) Laugh and Have a Sense of Humor—88%
4) Stay in Touch with Your Spirituality—84%
5) Be Optimistic and Continue looking forward to each new day—83%
6) Stay Active, Keep moving and Exercising—82%
7) Maintain a Sense of Independence—81%
8) Healthy Nutrition Choices (Eat Right and Smart)—80%
9) Keep Yourself up with News and Current Events—63%
10) Keep Making New Friends (Never stop being social and building new relationships)—63%

According to the census bureau there are roughly 40,000 centenarians in the United States and 85% of those are women. They are increasing in number by 8% each year, compared with 1% for other age groups. More than 90% of the centenarians reported good health until they reached their early 90’s. About 15 percent of centenarians live by themselves and are completely independent. Centenarians are the fastest growing segment of the U.S. population.

My Grandfather, Nelson Nieuwenhuis turned the big “100” on February 19th, 2008. He was married to my grandmother Isabelle for 69 years and they lived in Hospers, IA. My grandfather was living alone in Hospers, IA for the last 3 years, after my Grandmothers passing, prior to moving to an assisted living facility in Orange City in Sept of 07’. My Grandfather Nelson is such a wonderful role model for me and my family on “How To” get the most out of life and have FUN in the process such as;

· My Grandfather Nelson highly values relationships with family, friends. He was always visiting neighbors and friends in Hospers, IA telling them stories about the history of Siouxland. In his later years those friends and neighbors came to his house to visit with him, bring him groceries or meals, mowing his lawn, and keeping him company. Thank you all so much for your fellowship and friendship’s with my Grandfather Nelson.
· Learning and Telling stories never ceases with my Grandpa as he wrote two history books; “The History of Sioux County” and “The History of Hospers Iowa”. He taught History and Political Science at Northwestern College in Orange City for over 25 years. He was always serving others in the Siouxland Community by serving on the Hospers historical society, Serving as a deacon and elder in the First Reformed Church of Hospers, IA, and Walking on the CROP walk each year which I participated with him for many years.
· My Grandfather Nelson is one of the most positive and optimistic people you will every meet. His glass IS always more than half full!! At family gatherings over the years whenever the topic of conversation ever turns negative in any fashion, my Grandfather Nelson always speaks up with a wise comment to change the focus of the conversation!!
· He has been a strong Christian role model and mentor for me growing up showing me the disciplines of the Christian faith such as; daily prayer and giving thanks to God, Bible reading, attending church, and memorizing scripture. Loving God through all of life’s trials and celebrations, and serving and loving others.
· My Grandfather has always lived a life full of physical activity!! He has a hard time sitting still unless he is reading, which he also really enjoys. He loves to walk and has been doing this daily since I’ve know him. At family gatherings at the Nieuwenhuis house growing up, My Grandfather and I would always go for a walk after eating our noon meal. Growing up he also loved to ride bike, swim with us, mow his lawn, work outdoors, and plant/ tend to his garden!! I got my “green thumb” from my parents, Norm and Kerry, and my grandparents Nieuwenhuis and VandeHoef.
· My Grandpa always ate a great breakfast with some of the foods I remember him eating and enjoying were; He loved to eat oatmeal with bran buds, eggs over easy/ scrambled or boiled, and toast with honey (or eggs on his toast too like my dad Norm). He would drink milk, water and coffee too. Two of Grandpa’s other favorite foods are; Liver and onions (also meat of all kinds and potatoes). He loved fresh fruits from the store and fresh vegetables from his garden too.

A new study out of Cambridge University illustrates the profound effect of lifestyle habits on mortality and longevity. The news release boldly stated, “Lifestyle changes increase life expectancy 14 years”. This was an 11 year study that followed just over 20,000 people from the United Kingdom ages 45 to 79 whom were in good health. The researchers looked at 4 basic healthy lifestyle behaviors; Nonsmoker, Were physically active, Not a heavy drinker (maximum of 2 drinks per day), and Ate at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables daily. Those people who had 4 healthy behaviors had only a 25% risk of dying during the 11 year study compared to persons who scored a zero (0—didn’t meet any of the healthy behaviors). This difference in mortality was equal to being 14 years younger in chronological age even after adjusting for age, gender, body weight, and social class. This study strongly suggests the awesome benefits of achievable lifestyle changes and the effect these can have on your health, life expectancy (vitality and quality of LIFE)!!

“If I want to be great I have to win the victory over myself….self discipline.” Harry S Truman

“To get the best results you must talk to your vegetables.” Prince of Wales Charles

Sources:
“10 Healthy Aging Tips From Centenarians” by Miranda Hitti WebMD Health News July 28, 2008 from www.wedmd.com.
“Centenarian Facts” (Healthy Lifestyles) from The WELL Workplace Healthletter Vol. 10 No 5 pg 6 July 2008 from WELCOA.
“Health Behaviors and Life Expectancy” from the Making Healthy Choices Newsletter from Wellsource Issue 48.