Living past 90. A new study. Last night on 60 Minutes.
 

Living to 90 and beyond - CBS News

I found this study interesting. These folks had their original health evaluation in 1981(35,000 of the residents of Leisure Village) and they are following the group of over-ninety folks who live in what is now called Laguna Hills in California. You may be surprised at some of the medical findings.

Their diet didn't seem to matter. Alcohol did and moderate use is good. Exercise is important but vitamins and supplements don't seem to help. Being skinny was a detriment as we age as well as being obese. Up to three cups of coffee a day helped.

I enjoyed this segment reported by Lesley Stahl.

I just watched it and totally agree on one thing - socialization. I have a very close family member who was very intelligent, had an executive job, traveled extensively and is now almost a vegetable and cannot, just cannot, stop talking - unfortunately ragtime.

In their mid-40s they got married to a very private person who did not like to be around people, did not like to entertain, and did not socialize unless it was talking to other dog walkers. They did not socialize on holidays and even spent Christmas alone. When the partner died the remaining partner had no friends, did not socialize with the neighbors and slowly over a good many years sank further and further into the black hole. After retirement this person had dogs and walked miles every day, was in excellent health and ate sensibly so I must come to the conclusion that the lack of social interaction led to their decline. That is my opinion and I am certainly not an expert.

So from that experience, I think being social and having friends, and doing coffee and just getting out and about may be very good for us as we age, and what better place to do it than right here in TV.

Would I want to live to 90+ - ask me then!

I plan on making it to 90 but then, "man plans and GOD laughs".

I tend to think the following helps:
1. Genetics.
2. Eating sensible.
3. Alcohol in moderation.
4. Exercise.
5. Being active and alert.
6. Socializiing, instead of watching television.
7. Having a positive outlook on life.
8. Having many interests.

Only GOD know when are days are up, so why worry?

Who wants to live that long !!

Last night was a repeat. The show had aired before. Ross Cortese developed this community as a Leisure World back in the 60's. He even built houses there for his mother as well as Nellie Gail Moulton who sold him a large part of her ranch on which he built the development. The story is his estate wanted royalties for continued use of the name Leisure World so to incorporate the residential community annexed an adjoining shopping center and renamed itself Laguna Woods Village.

It is a good place to run such a study. I would estimate the median/average age to be about 78 in LWV, about 10 years older than in The Villages.

Here is their website. http://www.lagunawoodsvillage.com/index.cfm

My former spouse who is a very social person now resides there and is quite happy. (Another reason I am considering The Villages) lol. I believe adequate continuing socialization is a key factor in holding off dementia and premature death.

Don't forget. . . avoiding being run over by a golf cart!

Our genetic make up essentially sets the length of our time clock. I do agree that exercise/ remaining active, eating /drinking in moderation helps. Being sociable translates to staying active And while I cannot explain it experts challenge statistics when the Gini co-efficent is not applied.

Mankind from its beginning has tried to answer/ solve the mystery of why we age and die and have offered solutions as long Technology will offer some solutions if one can accept the tradeoffs.

Some people are obsessed with the thought of their death. Some have lived their lives with the understanding that it would eventually end.

Living past 90 is only part of the goal living past 90 with an acceptable quality of life is quite another.

I used to think that I wanted to lived to be very old. Then I saw people in their late 80s and 90s "hit the wall" and realized that I don't want to live that long if their experience is a guide. (And I am not talking about people whose health risk were based on things they did or didn't do).

About 15 years ago, I sat thru 2 weeks waiting for the "confirmation" of a medical condition which would have been a death sentence. It was actually a good thing to go thru because it made me look hard at my life and my future. While it turned out that the reports of my impending death were incorrect, I realized that if I died tomorrow, I would do so knowing that I have had a good life and am unafraid to die. I make sure that before bed and before I leave the house to do anything that I tell my wife that I love her. Every time I see my parents, I tell them the same thing.

Oh yeah, I really like "Live Like You Were Dying"

My favorite part was...
 

the couple that were dating and said that "Sex" was the answer to longevity with a twinkle in their eye!

I find the people I know in 90's are the ones that have the best outlook on life.

Fuuny, I did think of the great line from Mrs.Doubtfire.

My husband was killed by drink!

Was he an alcoholic?

No. He was run over by a Guiness Ale truck. :D

I do as long as I have quality of life!

Several members of my family lived into their nineties, with relatively good health.

Mom once said, the 70's were great.

The 80's were ok.

The 90's stunk, but then, she didn't have a great quality of life, in her favor.

Uncle lived to be 99 and he only got sick the last couple of months.

I get a little skeptical when a study presented on TV claims that "diet didn't seem to matter." Last time I watched TV there were advertisements. Television stations don't want to offend any of their sponsors and/or prospective sponsors. Therefore, it seems logical that the role of food would be downplayed in this presentation.

Alcohol: Many of the elderly have some amount coronary artery disease so alcohol tends to thin their blood and keep it moving. So of course they will live a little longer. But for those who have clean arteries, alcohol is better left alone. In other words, don't take up drinking if you don't need it.

About exercise: They got it right. You need some moderate exercise, about 15 to 45 minutes per day. Excessive exercise may be counterproductive.

About vitamins and supplements: One or two vitamins may be needed to correct a deficiency. Most seniors are deficient in D3. Vegans need to supplement B12. Other than that, multiple vitamins won't take the place of a healthy diet. Massive doses of this, that and the other may even be harmful.

The bottom line: Don't underestimate the value of a healthy diet. Anyone can make it to 90 with a little luck. It's the next 20 to 25 years that requires the best (healthy) eating habits. Eat healthy for the long haul in order to enjoy the best possible health. :thumbup:

Always hate to see the words "in moderation"............need to work on that.

:thumbup:

Everything is relative.

You know how you tell if a person is drunk?

He's lying down on the floor, and has to hold on!!! :D

Moderation means different thing to different people. One drink for a small person is enough, and some bigger people can have 4 or 5 drinks, and not be buzzed.

One or two is usually what a doctor recommends. Anymore than that and some people, will be in trouble.

I'm a part-time moderator..............working at becoming full-time.

:beer3:

I enjoyed the responses and the post so much. I thought that I had seen that show so was glad someone said that it was re-run. I am driving myself crazy trying to figure out what ragtime talking is....the post about the unfortunate relative who was not sociable...anyone?

ragtime?
 

[Could you explain the ragtime reference...thank you }I just watched it and totally agree on one thing - socialization. I have a very close family member who was very intelligent, had an executive job, traveled extensively and is now almost a vegetable and cannot, just cannot, stop talking - unfortunately ragtime.

In their mid-40s they got married to a very private person who did not like to be around people, did not like to entertain, and did not socialize unless it was talking to other dog walkers. They did not socialize on holidays and even spent Christmas alone. When the partner died the remaining partner had no friends, did not socialize with the neighbors and slowly over a good many years sank further and further into the black hole. After retirement this person had dogs and walked miles every day, was in excellent health and ate sensibly so I must come to the conclusion that the lack of social interaction led to their decline. That is my opinion and I am certainly not an expert.

So from that experience, I think being social and having friends, and doing coffee and just getting out and about may be very good for us as we age, and what better place to do it than right here in TV.

Would I want to live to 90+ - ask me then![ragtime?]could you explain the ragtime reference...thanks

To be clear about this special, I believe that I remember one, maybe two drinks at the most [per day, but it was not limited to wine. And no more than three cups of coffee were also good. Being slightly overweight was better than being thinner as we age. But not obese.

I'm surprised you are not familiar with this term, it's well known in the North East - quote from the dictionary: Something that someone says that another considers foolish; absurd; an absurd comment for instance "Oh Carol, you're talking ragtime."

In my particular case the relative fixates on one particular subject such as the time of day, and repeats over and over "what time is it", and then just as suddenly will switch to another short topic which they repeat continually - sort of drives you crazy if you have to be around it too long.

I have no idea where this saying originated, and there is nothing musical about it either. You could google it for more information on the terminology.

My mom is 93 and still flirts with the mailman (who hand delivers her mail), danced at my second wedding in a red dress and monopolized all the 20 year olds (she was 83 at the time), loves to read, and can't live without gossip. She's also healthier than I am. I want to grow up and be like my mom.

As long as others are using anecdotes as "proof" of one thing or another, I have one that I would like to use as a rebuttal to the idea that slightly overweight is better than being thinner as we age.

Nancy Reagan has always been thin, especially now in her old age. She turned 93 on July 6, 2014.

A very interesting study, thanks for posting.
It's great to see the over 90s and hear their wisdom.

Here's another anecdote:
 

George H. W. Bush has always been thin and is now 90 years old.

Edna Parker turned 115 on 04-20-08 and died on 11-26-08. Her relatives said she was not known to worry, and had always been a thin person.

The study is finding that healthy people in their nineties are not thin but not fat either. I got that it was better to be a few pounds heavier than a few pounds thinner. I know that is true in osteoporosis studies.

You see I have no problem with people developing medicine to prevent and alleviate symptoms of illness. I do not think that not taking medications is some big badge of honor. I do not mind that pharmaceutical companies fund research sometimes. And I often wonder about folks who say they take no medicine whether their doctor agrees that that is the best plan for their health and wonder if they just refuse to take the medicine the doctors suggest.

It is a proven fact that people are living longer because of statins.

Most people do not wish to follow a very defined diet. I was pleased to hear that the long livers or the oldest old didn't restrict themselves much in diet.

For everyone's theory there is an opposing one. Our family chooses the best primary care provider that we can find and we follow his or her advice. For those who think a study or a plan or a book is good that opposes my study or plan or book, well it's a free country.

Live long and prosper.

Just had lunch with my parents.
Both over 90.
Both have stored extra food over their +90 years.
Both grew up on a farm and ate everything.
Back then, you just didn't throw away any part of the pig or cow.
Dad was in the Korean War & WWI and learned to smoke.
Luckily he quit prior to 50.

115 lbs or 215 lbs..........you never know.

Science is all about measuring things so I doubt a study that doesn't quantify what they are talking about. For example, what range are they talking about on the BMI chart and what percentage range of body fat do they allow? It seems they are leaving it to the viewer's or reader's imagination.

No one ever said that not taking medication is a big badge of honor. I was told that one should set a good example. This is for anyone who wants to share their good fortune or experience. So I tell people what or how I eat and I mention that I'm healthy and don't have to take any medication. The reason I do that is because I have become aware of the fact that there are now people who take multiple medications and claim to be healthy. I do it in the interest of being factual and to show people that there's a better way of aging.

I think many of them might even live longer if they would improve their lifestyle (diet and exercise) and not have to take statins.

I didn't see any statistics about their health status: Have they had heart procedures, operations for cancer etc. or do they take multiple prescription drugs? All of the above have an effect on one's quality of life.

I just finished reading a new book where the author talks about how the scientific process works. He said that not all studies are going to be good, for various reasons. It's just how the process works. One study may not be the best but gives another researcher an idea for a study that is designed and controlled differently. The best bet, therefore, is to look at lots of different studies before deciding on what the best lifestyle might be.

He also talks about doctors and how they are limited. They may be doing the best they can under the circumstances but there's only so much they can do.

Dittos.

I am sure that the Department of Neurology that is overseeing this study is documenting all of the things mentioned by VPL. After all that is how a valid study is found to be valid.. It is no baby game. They will be dotting the i's and crossing the t's.

I perceived the warmth and intelligence of the doctor in charge and thought what a nice person to do this, she must really get to know these charming people and she must also mourn them as they leave the study.

What I got out of this study was pick your genes carefully. Then avoid using or being exposed to smoke from tobacco products, live in moderation regarding food and exercise.

Since it is no longer very difficult to avoid environmental tobacco smoke I focus on eating as natural a diet as I can and exercising regularly. The book "Pandora's Lunch Box" was a frightening revelation of what people, including me, now consume. That 50% of vitamin supplements are manufactured in China and the effects of aspartame on rats and mice tumor growth are scary to me. http://articles.mercola.com/sites/ar...aspartame.aspx http://www.100daysofrealfood.com/201...oras-lunchbox/

I sure appreciate your explaining this to me. No, I had never heard that expression in any form and I've enjoyed learning something new this evening. The only USA region I have not had the pleasure of visiting is the North East...I'm sorry to say. I used to subscribe to a Yankee magazine that was mostly about being frugal and I loved what I read. I'm going to practice using that expression and see if anyone here knows what I'm talking about. Thanks so much for your response.

So true
 

I so agree. It's not the years in your life but the life in your years!

Is it because the doctor in charge is a woman who shows warmth that we should believe the study has merit?

I don't think I said the study isn't valid. It could be valid but of little use to those of us who might be looking for some lifestyle guidance. I mean guidance other than those things that most people already know about.

When the suggestion is given to be heavier we need to know exactly what she is talking about. What BMI is she talking about? What percentage of body fat is she talking about? What foods should people be eating?

This was a Newspot, very common in Television programming, not meant for the medical community nor any specific information other than what was found to be the lifestyle and choices of people who were cognitively well functioning and past 90 years of age. AND those were highlighted.

When the study is ended it will be published. I used to subscribe to the New England Journal of Medicine. When a study is published by a reputable institution, it will have things very specific to what the study was focused on. If the study was not intended to be a study of nutrition, then it will not have those things in it. This study was conducted by the department of neurology, not the department of nutrition and it probably was charting a participants weight in relation to accepted guidelines for healthy. It will have a lot of results on plaque and other post mortem findings, I am guessing, but we will see.

Again, I wish you would buy a television set because there are many things related to YOUR interests that you are missing, and some light hearted fun stuff too that is just plain diverting from the thoughts of how long we will live and what is healthy to eat.

I think it downgrades scientific professionalism to publicize something that hasn't been proven yet (i.e. not published). It's like trying to win approval in a court of public opinion when most people are easy to convince based on the emotional pull of the "60 Minutes" presentation.

That's a maybe. Maybe it will and maybe it won't. If it's a reputable journal, it has to be peer reviewed and approved for publication. It could be turned down. If it gets turned down, will they take back all the falsehoods that were promoted on 60 Minutes? Of course not. And that's what makes it unprofessional, in my opinion.


I believe you have to be a doctor in order to subscribe.



You mean "if" the study is published. Can you tell me what the study was focused on and what it has to do with neurology?

But in the mean time people go away thinking that it's okay or good to be a little overweight - this in a population where 2/3 of people are already overweight. I think that's a big public disservice.

First of all, you're the one who brought up the subject of health on this thread. Do you like health shows on television that "prove" it's okay to be overweight? With all the 20,000+ posts you have to your credit, and all the medical journals you read, when do you have time to watch television?

I don't know if it is possible but I would like to see a study done on how happy, functional and long lived seniors who reside in a 55 and over community such as LWV, TV or a Sun City are relative to those who remain in their hometowns among friends and family.

The skinny on osteoporosis.
 

Sez here that women over fifty and men over seventy should have a bone density scan...and yes being thin adds to the risk.

Being skinny and osteoporosis - Bing Videos


Read more : http://www.ehow.com/how_4844153_calc...eoporosis.html

One of the studies Gracie referenced can be found here: Activities and Mortality in the Elderly: The Leisure World Cohort Study
This is just one of the many papers the researchers have published in premium journals. It involved 13,000 people (median age 74) who were followed for 28 years or until death. I would gently suggest that you take a few moments to read it. I think you will then find that :
a) it has been published and in fact is quite well known;
b)It is a reputable journal and is peer reviewed;
c)You do not have to be a doctor to subscribe to the New England Journal of Medicine (that's not in the study, it's just a fact).
d) the neurology part of the study has to do with dementia and Alzheimer's in the patient population and made some remarkable findings on mini strokes and those patients with plaques and tangles in the brain that did not have symptoms of Alzheimer's;
e)and to reiterate what Gracie said more than once, that people who were underweight (BMI <18.5) did not live as long as those who were overweight (BMI 25-29.9). That was counterintuitive to me too, but remember, it also said that it is never good at any age to be obese (BMI>30), but for those in their 80's and 90's, it was better to be overweight than underweight. I had always been under the impression that most people who lived past 100 usually had a low daily caloric intake, and that studies in mice showed that lowering their daily caloric intake prolonged life.
To summarize some of the major findings of the study (all published in premium journals and peer reviewed) are: People who drank moderate amounts of alcohol or coffee lived longer than those who abstained.
People who were overweight in their 70s lived longer than normal or underweight people did.
Over 40% of people aged 90 and older suffer from dementia while almost 80% are disabled. Both are more common in women than men.
About half of people with dementia over age 90 do not have sufficient neuropathology in their brain to explain their cognitive loss.
People aged 90 and older with an APOE2 gene are less likely to have clinical Alzheimer’s dementia, but are much more likely to have Alzheimer’s neuropathology in their brains.

Joan Rivers died at 81 and she was thin. I don't think a sampling of 1, either pro or con, is proof of much!☺