Secrets of the Super Agers – Could Science Find a Way to Ensure we all Enjoy a healthy old age?
Scientists are hoping to develop in time gene-based drugs that could help more of us enjoy longer lives with good health and none of the diseases we currently associate with old age.
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Published: 12/04/2024
Anyone in their 60s who recently has attended a school or college reunion they are likely to have been struck at how differently old friends have aged over time. Some will look just like they did 40 years ago. Others will be unrecognisable, as time takes its toll.
Our average life expectancy in the UK is 81. Only 0.02% reach the aged of 100. If you are lucky you will enjoy good health and succumb to a short illness after your 80th birthday. Sadly, for many however, their 81 years will end with a final 10 years or so of poor health and disease.
Statistics show as we age our risk of age-related diseases (such as heart disease, cancer, stroke, diabetes and Alzheimer’s) increases dramatically. If we could avoid these diseases we could all hope to live beyond 81 years – with reasonably good health.
From scientific studies of the “super agers” it appears those living disease-free into their 90s and beyond are blessed with genes that help them resist the fatal diseases typical in old age. These lucky few will commonly stay healthy and well (and rather than 10 years of decline) will pass away after a very short bout of illness. We have seen this ourselves at Right at Home with the most elderly clients apparently absolutely normal one day but passed away the next as if their clock just stopped ticking.
Scientists are hoping to develop in time gene-based drugs that could help more of us enjoy longer lives with good health and none of the diseases we currently associate with old age.
3 Super Agers
Sara Dappen: The oldest McDonald’s employee in the world is a nonagenarian Iowa woman who was enthusiastic about her job until she retired at the ripe old age of 92.
Jiro Ono is a Michelin-starred sushi chef who is considered one of the best in the world. He is about to celebrate his 97th birthday and has been a sushi chef for over 70 years.
Irvin Kahn is considered the oldest employee in the world. He continued to work on Wall St until his death aged 109. Kahn was a renowned value investor and has been credited with helping to popularize the concept of value investing.
Click here to read more on the research "Longevity Genes Project" at Albert Einstein College of Medicine.
