The Centenarians

[rareboy]

So we are off shortly to celebrate my Aunt's 99th birthday. Her mother reached alomst 100 and my great grandfather and his sister 104.

My parents missed this mark.

And I don't see this happening for me.

Are you from the long lived? and what do you want to do if you reach 100?

 

[backagain]

My father and his side of the family lived into their 90's but suffered from dementia. My mother and her side of the family mostly died in their 70's most with cancer. I'll take the cancer and a shorter life over the dementia and longevity.

 

[cityboy-stl]

My mom was 93. My grandmother was 95. My dad was 92, but he could have easily made it to 100+ if he had gotten that darn colonoscopy. So get your colonoscopy, people.

 

[LeicsDom]

Both my parents were 96
All my grandparents died young, mostly under 60

 

[NotHardUp1]

My father, whom I never knew, died in his 70's, a smoker, I think.

Mother died at 71, a lifelong chain smoker, of emphysema.

Her mother lived to 92, suffering three years of dementia at the last. Grandmother's husband died at 64 of an aneurism, after several years of heart attacks, emphysema, and decline, following 45 years of smoking cigars.

Grandmother's mother died in her 20's, the placenta of her 3rd child had attached to the uterus and did not fully pass as afterbirth, but went undetected, killing her within a week of sepsis.

Grandmother's father died at 91 with dementia, bedridden, with a cancer on his face.

Granddad's mother lived to be 92, and died with Alzheimer's but no other health problems.

I'll be happy to live to 80, and do not want to live to extreme old age. Almost no one I have known had any decent quality of life after 85. I'm going for quality, not the tontine.

 

[unloadonme]

My grandparents lived to be 65, 83, 87 and 92. I'd be happy to reach some sort of average.

 

[Araucaria]

As it happens, my ex's husband's mother just died at age 100. I'll be going to her funeral next week.

I don't see myself getting anywhere near 100. My Mother died at 84, and my Father died at 81, but his mind was completely gone the last 3 or 4 years of his life due to Parkinson's disease.

 

[MusicMan321]

My grandma that lived with me and my dad she lived to be 96 almost 97 in November 2009 and she did everything. If I make it too 100 I'd be happy I'd have my health and know I made it but I doubt I will

 

[Rickrock]

A long time ago I decided that I would live to 83, but the older I get I now want to live into my 90's. I don't expect to live to 100. My father lived to 96 and one of his sisters died only days before 104, but everyone else died younger. My mother, her sister and their mother lived to 83.

 

[Vannie]

Get off my lawn!

 

[HoodedRat]

At 62, I'm already the oldest male there has been in my family for generations. All the others - father, grandfathers, uncles, great-grandfathers, etc - dropped dead suddenly from heart attacks in their 30s, 40s, or 50s.

I would like to make it to my 80s, if possible.

 

[me203]

What will I do if I reach 100? Make everyone's life around me a living hell, of course. Of course, I'm already doing that at a bit more than half the century mark. But maybe at 100 I can be the cranky old man sitting by the fire threatening to disinherit everyone in my next will. (Although it's not like I'm on track to have anything anyone would want to inherit...)

No one in my parents or grandparents generation made it anywhere near 100. Closest was low 80s. Although I'm not sure how relevant I consider that. I know there is all the talk of genetics--but I've heard compelling arguments from professionals promoting healthy lifestyles that my decisions could have a bigger impact. I remember one doctor going as far as saying something along the lines that genetics will load the gun, but lifestyle is what pulls the trigger. Although, I have to admit that I could be doing better with lifestyle chocies (more optimal diet, more exercise, etc).

 

[me203]

I'm going for quality

Well, it is possible to live to an old age and have quality of life... Although it's probably hard to achieve here in the US, given our overall lifestyle. Most of the stories I hear about people who make it to 100 who are living reasonably well are living someplace else, where the lifestyle is much different, or else they are highly unusual by American standards (e.g., eat their vegetables, are physically active, etc).

 

[smokeshadow]

My Mother, who was born in February 1920, passed in August 2021 at the age of 101 1/2 Her biggest complaint is that she outlived all of her friends and immediate family, except for my sister and I and quite a few cousins. Other than mobility issues and slight hearing loss, she was active and healthy until the day she passed.

 

[FPNY]

My folks died thirty two days apart, suddenly in their late 70's. I currently have my 91 year old mother in law living with us and she can run circles around me and Rick. I don't see myself going that long, not with the way I take care of myself.

 

[cabinfever]

I think I am overdue. My mom died at 59 and my dad at 63. I am 65 now as of last July.

I might get lucky though - I read an article a while back that said there is a correlation between your lifespan and your paternal grandfather's lifespan and he was 93. Also - everyone told me I looked like him and at my age - still no wrinkles on my face and no gray hair on my head (except when I have stubble then my stubble is salt 'n pepper)- it was the same for him - so maybe there is something to that. My maternal grandfather also lived into his 90s.

 

[rareboy]

I think I am overdue. My mom died at 59 and my dad at 63. I am 65 now as of last July.

I might get lucky though - I read an article a while back that said there is a correlation between your lifespan and your paternal grandfather's lifespan and he was 93. Also - everyone told me I looked like him and at my age - still no wrinkles on my face and no gray hair on my head (except when I have stubble then my stubble is salt 'n pepper)- it was the same for him - so maybe there is something to that. My maternal grandfather also lived into his 90s.

Stick around Boo.