Article by Fabaferfifty
Centenarians are the largest growing sector of the population with 11,600 in the UK in 2009 set to grow to 88,000 by 2033- an increase of 8% year on year.
The United States currently has the highest number of centenarians (104,000) with Japan having the highest proportion of centenarians, (the greatest being in Okinawa)
99 year old Esther Tuttle featured in the NewYork Times attributes her long life to the 3R’s – Resolution, Resilience and Resourcefulness.
Research carried out by scientists have investigated the influence of genetics versus lifestyle and although admitting that genetics can be attributed to 20% of the likelihood of living to be 100, they concluded lifestyle including working longer, diet, keeping active and the ability to cope with stress are all key factors.
Interestingly research also shows that the highest percentage of centenarians are women who have never been married!
So ,in today’s economic crisis where we have to tighten our belts, think laterally and delay our retirement plans could well be good for us- and prove Mrs Tuttles’s theory right!
Ceri Wheeldon
Ceri is Founder and Editor of Fabafterfifty.co.uk She is also a headhunter with 20+ years experience working on international assignments and offers a jobsearch coaching service to jobseekers
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