Living to 100 years old may depend not on genes but more on one’s culture, lifestyle and where one lives.
The Osher Life Learning Institute explored “Blue Zones,” geographic locations scattered around the world where researchers like gerontologist Maria Claver have found that greater numbers of people live longer than the average life expectancy.
The Lori and Donald Brault Successful Aging Lecture, one of the first events of Wellness Week, a weeklong series of health-related events, featured five elderly panelists who shared their secrets to health, wellness and longevity with an audience of more than 35 people in Human Services and Design building, Room 101.
Claver, who introduced the Blue Zone concept, said that in certain locations, she continues to find more “pockets” of people who live to be more than 100. Life expectancy averages at about 78.2 years, Claver said.
Blue zones can be found in Loma Linda; Nicoya, Costa Rica; Sardinia, Italy; Ikaria, Greece and Okinawa, Japan, Claver said.
Through the research she gathered from these locations, Claver said she identified a “Power 9” lifestyle that features healthy eating and a purpose-drive life that centennials had in common.
Claver said that 75 percent of the way people age depends on how they live.
Scott Mighell, a retired surgeon and panelist, turned 92 this year. He said that he has good genes, given that his maternal uncle lived to be 104, his paternal aunt lived to be 105, and his mother lived to be 95.
“Besides that, it takes a lot of luck,” he said. “Actually, getting across that street safely is luck.”
Mighell said that among the classmates he had in a 1945 medical course in college, he said that 21 of the about 48 students are still alive, who he said were all about the same age.
“I think [what] we all had in common was medical knowledge,” Mighell said.
Mighell also said he has a brain tumor but that he’s not worried about it.
“It’s not a dangerous type, so we leave it alone,” he said.
Sylvia Manheim, who writes for OLLI’s newsletter “The Sun,” said she is a “very connected person in many directions” and has involved herself with organizations, activities and family. She is 89.
Manheim said that her reason for living is motivated by “passion” for “peace.” She said she was involved in the civil rights movement in the ‘70s and that she advocated against discrimination against minority children.
She also said a police officer once called her a “n—-r-loving communist prostitute” for her involvement in a demonstration.
“Thank you for the compliments,” she told the officer.
Mary Thoits, a panelist who celebrated her 90thbirthday “with a picnic,” said that having a passion in life has motivated her to keep living. She is the senior studies manager at Long Beach City College.
“Do you just want to make it for a number?” she said.
Eighty-seven-year-old Long Beach resident Betty Reynolds said that she attended the Blue Zone panel because she believes she’s never too old to learn something new.
“Besides,” she said, “it’s better than sitting on the couch at home.”