When Helen Boardman 99 a teenager, fell in love again - with a
younger people.
"I robbed the cradle" jokes trim the centennial, the only married man
It is 20 years her junior for "companionship," he says mischievously. "Bill was
--- I was not lonely - but I enjoyed his company and we had the same
Interests. So he fell in love. "
It did not hurt that Bill Boardman had the same surname.
"It 'been a coincidence," adds Bill. "It 'was always myControls, I
Invoices out, so by necessity, we had to get married! "
Today is the second most often in the games together in friendship
Village, an independent living facility outside Chicago, where they divide
One bedroom. Helen writes, directs, and stars in the productions.
"I do not know ... I'm nervous about everything," said shrugs with indifference.
He has 86 years 107
Even after eight years of romance? "A little '," Helen laughs, "if he is really nice
For me, most of the time. He's a good guy. "
"To be honest," says Bill, "Helen does not seem 20 years older than
all. He never acted like an old lady. The last of last year, we were up to
Midnight dance. I think she has maintained her youth quite well! "
In fact, adorned with pearls and an elegant black and white checkerboard
I live in a couch in his living room, the woman is born in June L896
says: "I feel young at heart ... I would sayabout 60 ". Nor is it even the color
brown hair. "My mother and my father was not black either," he says with pride.
"I think I'm drinking from the fountain of youth."
"Sometimes," he adds, put out by those around them in their 80s and 90s
complain about their health, "I feel like a teenager in a nursing home!"
An avid reader, critic and world traveler, with 12 trips to Europe
under his belt, Helen poems, gardens, flowersorganized and lifts
Weights every day!
"Only one or two pounds each, or an arm," expresses his bicep curls concerns.
His secret for longevity? "Strawberry Shortcake!" She smiles sweetly. "One
large piece, every day. "
* * * * *
The secular jackpot
The great Helen Boardman is not alone. In the U.S. there are now
more than 50,000 centenarians, the fastest growing age group.
Although the current average life expectancy for Americans76.9 years, of
In 2050 an estimated one million people to 100.
The substantial progress. In 1900 the average life expectancy extended by 47 years.
In 1800 was only 30 years.
"The secret of at least 100 today is a combination of genetics,
Life choices, mental sharpness, and luck simply! "Said Thomas T. Perls,
MD, author of Living to 100: lessons of life to your maximum potential
All ages (basicBooks).
This innovative book, with Margery Hutter Silver, Ed.D. written based on
the current New England Centenarian Study, which began in l994, which means that reveals
Age can be filled with clear health, mobility and good 0.1
"Of the 1,500 centenarians in our study," says Perls, "a large majority
were in great shape most of their lives. Instead of accumulating
Damage, they are actually there to shed. "
How? "Most people think the older you getto obtain the patient is obtained, very
pessimistic view. Show the Hundred Years' that we made the
Indeed, the old men who have proven to be the healthiest me. I call them secular
Jackpot. From a medical point of view, have delayed able to significantly reduce or
completely avoid diseases that normally with age - as the heart
Diseases, cancer, stroke or Alzheimer's disease.
"I had nothing," says Helen Boardman. Absence of disease. Not
Drugs. "I thinkaspirin every so often, "he admits, for the hip pain.
"Freed from any serious illness," Dr. Perls says, "how many centenarians
Helen cook your own meals, balancing checkbooks, driving your
Cars, lifting weights, playing bridge, and read novels, and socialize with
Family members and friends.
Some are even competing in the Olympics Senior. Take, for example,
Another notable anniversary, born in August l897 Kuekelhan Marguerite.
At the age of 105,World record holder (in his age group) for the shot put! Last
July, in Washington State Senior Games in Olympia, 97-kg athlete
to see a hurling 6 1 / 2 pounds metal ball 6 feet in the air
His secret? "I think that is the spirit within you," he says dryly. When 90 or
100 is not an excuse for inaction? "Heavens, no, I try not to let age keep me
at all.
This year I tried to break my record and do it better ", says 4-10 feet
Dinamo inchWho hopes to beat their best practices raise 7'6 ".
If this is all fun? "No," he complains. "The ball is very heavy, I would prefer setting figures
Rubber ball. "In reality shows recently played basketball against
Seattle Supersonics tell the crowd: "Before I started, I did not
dribbled in about 100 years! "
That's for sure. A widow after 55 years of marriage, living alone, Marguerite
in a clean apartment in a separate way of living in Olympia, youown
Cook and clean, always on the stairs, and the leg and ankle
Exercises every morning to maintain strength and balance for the shot put.
"And I still go," he says proudly, "although I must admit that when I
106 This, in turn, in August. I feel as if my reactions are not as fast as
than once. But I still see very, very good and I also heard it right - even if I had
And 'one of those things! [Hearing aids].
* * * * *
Genetics BoosterRockets
What the hell is going on here? A woman married at 99 and
The protagonist of the games? Another shooting and dribbling a basketball? What
Well I'm out to drink?
"These Hundred Years," Dr. Perls says, "are what I call" genetic blessed
Rocket booster, "a built-in biological advantage to increase the
Norm. Everyone lives in extreme old age has this genetic advantage. Were
equipped with the "Rolls Royce" of genes, whichScientists call it "super-genes''
action as longevity insurance. These genes slow aging and reduce the
Risk of contracting diseases. Centenarians in our study who lived to 105, as a rule
died of pneumonia, or even a domestic accident - have never developed
chronic diseases of aging. Certainly, extreme old age runs in families. "
Both Helen and Margaret parents lived in their 80s, with narrow
Relatives of the two topping 102
Even genes with averageHowever, you can extend the longevity of most
than ever, says Dr. Perls: "Not long ago, 85 was considered old.
Now it is relatively easy to reach the age where you play your cards right. All
is reduced to four simple things: not smoking, maintaining a healthy diet,
Strength training and avoid excessive sun exposure and alcohol. These are
the biggies. "
An example is the country's oldest man, 113 years of Fred Hale, born
New SharonMaine on December 1, L890, when Benjamin Harrison was
President.
Until the age of 107, the retired railroad worker who lived alone in a three-storey
Farmhouse in Maine traipsing up and down the stairs, shoveling snow off the roof,
Cutting firewood, hunting, fishing, lawn mowing, gardening and beekeeping -
Produce their own honey and pollen, a passion throughout his life.
He was still driving his car, making him the oldest American ever
Holder of a licenseGuinness Book of Records.
A 113 Hale is located in a special class to himself as a "super-
Centenary ", defined as those living 110 or more. This is a super-
Centenary per million population, for a total of 260 in the U.S. today. "We
We do not know yet what distinguishes these people, "says Dr. Perls." They have
serious diseases and even your hearing and vision is usually not influenced
until the late 90s. "
Hale, both of whose parentslived to 91, hit in recent years
Pneumonia and had hip replacements and cataract surgery. "No disease, no
nothing, "he calls," except for some arthritis ", which is healed, he believes,
with a teaspoon of bee pollen taken with food.
Even if a few drops at the end forced him into the house Syracuse
Community Board Syracuse, NY, sat down with a walker until the age of
112, walking half a mile a day. His mental acuity and keen sense of humor
remains clouded.
How did you survive that long? "Oh, I do not know, okay, I guess!" he
Seriously.
As a reflection on them, he credits his longevity to good nutrition, plenty of rest (up
smoking at 6 am, in bed by 8 clock) and keep busy.
"The secret is to work," he says. "Do not sit around. Keep a good attitude. The
always loved to work. When I went home, I got five hours of sleep, and then
working in my garden. I can still bend over and take aBetter tissue
than most of them! "
* * * * *
Use it or lose it
Fred Hale was up 111, he studied Readers 'Word Power' Digest
Religious vocabulary exercise, control over new words a week. His work
Ethics and the point of intellectual curiosity of another important ingredient for longevity
Marathon: train your brain.
"There is definitely use it or lose", says Dr. Perls. "Freshness is the key to spiritual
always learn something new, thebuild new connections between
Brain cells.
"For example, crossword puzzles (verbal functions), bridge (memory
Functions) and complicated puzzles (visual-spatial functions) all hold
Sharp mind. Equally useful is the painting, poetry, sculpture or what
Learning a new language. We also found that music is a potent vaccine
against dementia and the onset of diseases of the brain. I knew a 102-year-olds,
has never been in his room at the nursing homeAt home because they are too busy to play
Mozart and Chopin recitals in the music room! Do all these things
allows you to attention and memory, and to preserve the ability to plan, organize,
and exercise self-care.
"I think the spirit has a lot to how you feel," says Helen
Boardman, until recently, a voracious reader, spent a lifetime writing the book
Reviews of biographies in libraries and turning plays. Two years ago,
yet completed itsMemoirs, entitled "105 and Counting" before their vision
began to fail.
"Stay home and television has never been my joy in everything," says Helen,
who does tune into C-Span for book reviews. She believes that the secret of
Longevity is: "Curiosity I like seeing the world and the people I love Everyone ..
something good in them. If you are curious things are, you will find them out. "
She marvels at the technological marvels distributed to the three centuries
theirLife has gone through, but she says, with equal pleasure, their days
in a horse and buggy, "I went to school every day in my buggy Maudie.
included was a retired race horse, and I liked it! When we left our first
Car, was on the field. We immediately accepted the car, of course -
but no horse is more fun? "
Fun is one of Helen in the world. He also tried to rafting on the 90: "The
Ticket seller, said that the only requirement is that you had to beat least eight
Years. I said to myself: "If an 8 year old can do about it, I" * * * * *!
"Good training" and personality centenary
Although many may wonder if the diet has a lot to do with the remarkable
Health of centenarians ", it is impossible to know, because eating habits have
Then run the years changed dramatically, "says Dr. Perls. Most processed foods
There are in the formative years of the Hundred Years', was carried out by conservation
Pickling, smoking,and salts, and fresh fruit was less available. "Some were eating
He ate very little red meat every day, some with bacon and eggs - and is
Species lived to 100. "Today there is little doubt, says Perls, who
"Good training" - exercise and proper nutrition - contribute powerfully to life
100
"The secret of longevity is a lifestyle as much as anything," says
Helen Boardman. "I always have to be taken, I do not drink and I never
smoked.
"I'm not a fan of red meat at all," he continues. "I prefer vegetables, fruits,
Chicken and fish. And if I do not feel too well, I have oatmeal. Growth
the family farm, we always had in the morning, and I still love him! "
Chocolate cake? "Unacceptable, but yummy!" She laughs.
Fred Hale, at 113 to eat, even excessively, and do not drink coffee or tea. Its
Diet? "I eat a fork like everyone else!" it teases.
"I have to eat moreOatmeal with honey for breakfast, "he says." Lunch
Meat and potatoes. And at night, I eat very light - quark, apple juice
and toast. That's it. "
Marguerite sport competitor eats "very easily, which is easier
Stomach ", especially fruits and vegetables:" And I do not use milk
Products. I like soy milk instead. It seems easier to digest. "No sweets,
She says. This virtue! "Well, look what is the result!"
AboutGenetics, lifestyle and mental acuity, there is another deep, but
intangible factor that everyone has the ability to live to 100 influences. Dr. Perls refers
to it as "One Hundred Years 'personality' - a stress reduction way of thinking, the combined
positive thinking with a fighting spirit.
"Inevitably, most centenarians upbeat, fun and sociable," he added
Notes: "It 'very rare to meet a curmudgeon one hundred years, are not
Whiners. In our tests of personality, whichScore "neurosis", very low
Expression of negative emotions such as fear, anxiety, guilt, anger or depression.
I am positive and optimistic in the light of their attitude and recovering from
Life crises because they do not internalize your thoughts or feelings that lead to
Stress. "
"I believe in positive thinking," the boom athletic Margaret, one of the founding members
and permanent member of the unity of the Church in Olympia. "Mental attitude," says
Marguerite, who meditates every dayIt is to take in "a quiet place"
extremely important. "I always tried my whole life to be positive,
But I did not get with peak values up to now .... It 'been a matter of growth. "
His friend and promoter shot put, John Vlastelia, president of the
Washington State Senior Games, adds this: "If Marguerite reading
Newspaper that "the flu season in full bloom," always says: "I do not want
sick ", and literally take to a goodHealth. "
"We know," says Dr. Perls, "that stress - depression, internalized anger,
Worry, fear - is an age-accelerators. We found that centenarians are able
shake relieve back like a duck shaking water. Many have
experienced great losses and difficulties in their lives, but they would be able to
to move quickly and recover. "
* * * * *
A realistic view of death
Perhaps some of these centenarians reach the grand old time
reached by Mrs.
Jeanne Calment, the oldest person living in history, who died in l997,
age of 122
"The odds of living to 122," says Dr. Perls, "is 1 in 6 billion euros. Although I
that the human lifespan could be possibly be extended in 130 to
Most of us have reached age 100-105 hopes a reasonable number. "
Centenarians as Helen, Margaret, and Fred, live in the present as
suggest that very little about their limitedFutures.
"Death is something that is," Marguerite says matter-of-fact,
Fund for the competition in July of this year's shot put: "I accept it as part of my
The experience in life, but I do not think. "
Fred Hale, every time when his physical therapist says, "I'll see you tomorrow"
113 years, he replied: "Maybe I'm not doing long-term plans!"
His attitude toward death? "What took you so long!" joking cheerfully.
Then you notice a heavy,He adds: "It can not do anything because of fear."
This attitude is typical, says Dr. Perls: "I have not met every one hundred years, the
fear of death. If nothing else, I am very grateful for each day that are, and are
the only hope for more. "
As for Elena, "sometimes," he smiles, "I'm so sleepy. Every time I sit down, I
just close my eyes. My daughter was talking about death the other day and said:
I can not wait to find out what has happened. Well, I feel more or less the sameWay.
I am not afraid of death. It 'just another phase in which we finished
to work. I am happy to stop at any time. "
But lights at the thought of her young husband, Bill:
"He is my inspiration!" He says cheerfully. "My children are all
whatever ... I do not need. Bill ago. He needs someone to boss! I
waiting for what's to come. "
All in all, 107 is a blessing or a burden?
"Both," he replies calmly. "It 'a burdenbecause I was a voracious reader
until he was nearly blind. So what I've lost more fun
If I can listen to books on tape. But it is a blessing because of the things I
still able to do. Here's my poem: "My hearing and sight - not much
well, stumbling, and sometimes when I go, but if you ask me, do not
Question about my life, I am sure glad I can still talk! "
"So I am an optimist", says goodbye, "grateful for everything.Every
Day. At dinner, every bite is exciting because I never know what I'm going to
to eat. The cup is always full. I never needed it. Everything is good.
Nothing wrong with that.
"After reading my memoirs," he smiles, "my nephew asked me if
was not a bad thing in my life, and I said: "If I have forgotten"
* * * * *
Side Bar-RX
In a culture obsessed with youth, "people must understand," says Dr. Perls,
"The 70 and 80 maya fantastic time of your life. I see
People go after the second or third career, or improve voluntary work,
The relationships with their families during their experience and wisdom in their
Summit. Life is their oyster. It may still be at 100! "
Here are some of the secrets of health to all on road 100, a prescription
Dr. Perls, an assistant professor of medicine, Boston School of Medicine, and
Geriatrician at Boston Medical Center.
AgeThrottle to avoid: smoking, sun exposure, excessive alcohol consumption, high
High-fat diet, ionizing radiation, toxic chemicals, excessive risk-taking and mental
Stress. Fitness, recreation relax and laugh a priority in your life!
Age de-accelerator: physical exercise (strength training, aerobics, meditation, yoga), a
Diet of fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes, meat and with a minimum of
Sweets, processed foods and animal fat or butter.
Supplements: To avoidArteriosclerosis, heart disease, stroke, Alzheimer's disease
Parkinson's disease, vision problems, cancer and rheumatoid arthritis, I recommend
to:
* To prevent vitamin D [400-800 IU a day] and to slow cognitive
Deterioration;
* Vitamin B complex (folic acid)
* Calcium with vitamin D (to reduce the risk of osteoporosis)
* Omega-3 fatty acids # and # 6 (derived from the oil of flax or fish oil,
Assortment freely capsules, 1,000] mg daily
* Selenium [100-200 micrograms perDay].
* The baby aspirin (81 mg) per day, which reduces the risk of heart attack by 50%.
* Green tea - quoted by Chinese culture for 3,000 years as a health
Booster.
Author's Note: Since these interviews were conducted, Fred Hale, documented
As the world's oldest man, died at the age of 113 November 20, 2004. It 'was
physically and mentally active until the end, says her son, a
. Octegenarian
