Long Life is Often a Choice

I spent a week with Mom last month. We just hung out. We celebrated her 89^th birthday and I was reminded that it's often not complicated to choose to live a long life. Mom is extremely healthy physically and mentally. She lives independently in the same home she has occupied for over 50 years. She steadfastly refuses to move in with any of her children and takes pride in the fact she can easily tend to her own needs. She works everyday tending to her home and garden, shopping in local stores and visiting the senior center where she enjoys the company of others her age. They discuss national politics, local events and often play Canasta which is one of her passions. She continues to drive and is very alert and careful.

Dad followed the same regimen as Mom for many years, but succumbed to injuries he sustained in World War II and died prematurely at age 58.

So what is the secret of her long life and the expectation that she will live to at least 100?

Perhaps moderation is the key. I recall that Mom drank only occasionally and never smoked. In fact, she never took vitamins and never participated in an exercise regimen. However, she continues to exercise by walking a couple of miles a day in the neighborhood and bends, stoops and reaches as she works the garden and completes house chores. She has always been a meticulous housekeeper. She has always been slender and at 5'2" and less than 100 pounds, I am in awe of her strength. She reads the newspaper daily and is acutely aware of national events and local politics. She listens to daily radio commentary and follows the news with fervor. It is somewhat amusing to me as she comments aloud while listening to the news about the foolishness of some public personalities. Of course she has some figures that she admires for their wisdom and often proclaims her astonishment that more people don't listen to their counsel.

When she was 80, I purchased a snow blower for her to use during the winter and a self-propelled lawn mower to ease some of the burden of tending to the lawn. She protested somewhat, but I noted that she used them. Last year, I became a little concerned about the physical work that she performs and hired someone to mow the lawn and remove snow throughout the year. She replaced those activities with additional walking.

Mom lives on a meager income of $1200 per month, so wealth is not a prerequisite for living a long life. She pays property taxes and her health insurance as well as the other expenditures necessary to maintain her household. In fact she saves money every month! While she is frugal, she was proud to show off her recent clothing purchases and intends to have some windows replaced in the house that are showing deterioration after 50 years.

So the secret of long life for her has been to remain socially connected, stay physically fit and active, be mentally involved, have a schedule of daily events and prepare for the future.

It seems to me that anyone can follow the lifestyle that Mom has adopted. It is not that of a world traveler or does it possess the exciting life of an adventurer. However, it is fulfilling, consuming and fruitful. Perhaps that is why Methuselah lived for so many years.