A person who reaches the age of 100 years is called a centenarian. The term refers to someone who has lived to or passed their 100th birthday. Reaching the age of 100 is a remarkable milestone and accomplishment. With advancements in medicine, nutrition, and quality of life, more people today are living to see their 100th birthday.
Quick Facts on Centenarians
Here are some quick facts about people who reach age 100:
- The number of centenarians has increased dramatically in modern times. In the US in 1950, there were approximately 2,300 centenarians. By 2010, the number grew to over 53,000. It is projected to reach well over 600,000 by 2050.
- Japan has the highest per-capita rate of centenarians in the world, followed by Italy, France, Spain, Switzerland, Belgium, UK, and the US.
- Women make up approximately 80% of centenarians. Genetics and hormonal differences allow women to statistically outlive men.
- The current verified oldest person in the world is Kane Tanaka of Japan at age 119 years old (as of October 2022). The oldest verified age ever reached was 122 years and 164 days by Jeanne Calment of France.
- Centenarians are more common in areas with high standards of living, good health systems, and access to quality food and nutrition. Some geographic regions have unusually high rates due to culture, diet, exercise, and genetics.
Living to 100
Reaching the age of 100 requires genetics, lifestyle habits, mental outlook, and often a bit of luck. While a small percentage of supercentenarians (over 110 years) seem to have longevity genes that help them live remarkably long, most centenarians do not. Many centenarians attribute their long lives to positive attitudes and healthy living.
Although genetics plays a role, people can increase their chances of celebrating their 100th birthday by:
- Exercising regularly
- Not smoking
- Eating a balanced, nutritious diet
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Controlling conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol
- Staying mentally, socially, and physically active
- Avoiding excess alcohol and drugs
- Getting quality sleep
- Finding purpose and meaning
- Managing stress levels
A positive attitude and self-efficacy have also been linked to longevity. Seniors who believe they can influence their health through their behaviors and who have a general feeling of self-control often live longer lives.
Challenges of Living to 100
Along with the celebration of reaching 100, there are some unique challenges centenarians face:
- Health Issues – While some centenarians maintain cognitive and physical functioning, most require at least some assistance with instrumental or basic activities of daily living. Chronic conditions like heart disease, cancer, diabetes, osteoarthritis become more common.
- Cognitive Decline – Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease affect approximately 75% of centenarians to some degree. While genetics plays a role, keeping the mind active may help preserve cognitive function.
- Loss of Family/Friends – One of the emotional challenges of extreme old age is that most one’s family members and friends have passed away. Maintaining social connections and new friendships can help provide meaning.
- Financial Security – Outliving retirement savings and pensions can make staying independent difficult. However, social security and safety net programs provide income if needed.
- Care Needs – Most centenarians require at least part-time help with medical care, activities of daily living, meals, transportation, and household tasks. Access to quality, affordable long-term care services is important.
Despite these difficulties, many centenarians maintain positive attitudes and find joy in each day. Continuing a sense of purpose and meaning is key. Staying engaged in hobbies and social circles can help centenarians remain active and fulfilled through their 100s and beyond.
Centenarian Traits and Habits
Research studies have tried to identify traits, habits, and behaviors that allow some people to achieve the remarkable milestone of turning 100 years old. Here is a summary of common characteristics of centenarians:
| Trait or Habit | Description |
|---|---|
| Positive attitude | Having an upbeat outlook and sense of self-efficacy are linked to longevity. |
| Calorie restriction | Consuming 10-15% fewer calories than average may slow aging. |
| Plant-based diet | Eating diets high in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains are associated with lower disease risk. |
| Lifelong learning | Continuing to learn and challenge the mind seems to preserve cognitive function. |
| Physical activity | Regular exercise correlates with lower incidence of age-related diseases. |
| Stress management | Longevity studies link lower stress reactions with living beyond 100. |
| Close relationships | Social engagement and close family and friend networks are common amongst centenarians. |
| Purpose and meaning | Having interests, hobbies, and a sense of meaning appears to promote health and longevity. |
| Moderate alcohol | Some studies correlate mild alcohol intake (1-2 drinks/day) with longevity, possibly by reducing disease risk. |
| Spirituality | Many centenarians share spiritual beliefs or practices, which may reduce stress. |
Research is ongoing to try to determine why some people live remarkably long lives. Lifestyle behaviors, mental outlook, genetics, and social connections seem to play key roles. More studies are needed to understand longevity traits and help more people extend their lives in good health.
Centenarian Population Growth Predictions
Due to rising life expectancies and large, aging Baby Boomer generation, demographers expect staggering growth in the number of centenarians in coming decades:
- In 1990 there were approximately 37,000 centenarians in the US. By 2010 it rose over 5 times to about 53,000.
- In 2020, there are approximately 87,000 Americans aged 100+. The number is projected to reach 92,000 in 2030 and 114,000 in 2040.
- By 2050, the US centenarian population is expected to explode to over 600,000 as Baby Boomers reach the milestone age.
- The female centenarian population is expected to grow from 44,000 in 2010 to 344,000 by 2050, an incredible increase of 680% in four decades.
- Japan is predicted to have over 270,000 centenarians by 2025, more than quadruple its number in 2005. Japan has the highest proportion of 100-year-olds in the world.
- The global centenarian population has approximately doubled every decade. This exponential growth is likely to continue barring major events like pandemics or catastrophic wars.
Rising centenarian numbers bring both opportunities and challenges for families, governments, healthcare systems, and economies. Creative solutions will be needed to adapt and provide for quality of life as human longevity reaches historic new records.
Famous Centenarians Throughout History
While reaching 100 years of age has become more common in modern times, there have been many famous centenarians throughout history that lived remarkably long lives given their eras. Here are some of the most famous individuals who lived beyond a century:
- Michelangelo (1475-1564) – This famous Renaissance artist and sculptor lived to the advanced age of 88, nearly unheard of in the 16th century.
- Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) – Franklin lived to the age of 84, thriving as a founding father, inventor, author, politician, scientist, and diplomat.
- Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) – The prominent statesman and 3rd US President remarkably lived to age 83 years old.
- John Adams (1735-1826) – Adams, the 2nd US President, matched his colleague Jefferson by living exactly to age 90.
- Gladys Tubman (1844?-1965) – Born into slavery, Tubman escaped and subsequently rescued many others through the Underground Railroad. She lived to about 121 years.
- Misao Okawa (1898-2015) – This Japanese woman is confirmed to have lived 117 years, one of the longest documented lifespans. She credited sushi and plenty of sleep.
In earlier periods of history, living to 100 or beyond was extremely rare. Modern medicine and improved living conditions have made centenarians far more common today. However, reaching this milestone still requires good genes, healthy habits, and often a bit of luck!
Advice from Centenarians on Life and Longevity
Given their extremely long lives, centenarians have perspectives on life, health, happiness, and longevity that the rest of us can learn from. Here is some of the best advice from centenarians on living a good life:
- “Choose the right partner – that is the most important decision for a happy life.” – Fauja Singh, Indian centenarian marathon runner.
- “Be determined. Never give up. Roll with the punches. Have a positive attitude.” – Louise Schaaf, American supercentenarian, on how she reached 113.
- “Take good care of your health, do something interesting every day, and laugh a lot.” – Emma Morano, last living person verified to be born in the 1800s.
- “Always look at the good in life, rather than the bad.” – Susannah Mushatt Jones, the 3rd oldest American ever, attributing her longevity to being upbeat.
- “Don’t go overboard on anything. I never smoked or drank too much. Just moderation in most things.” – Walter Breuning, who lived to 114 years.
- “Having a purpose in life gives you a reason to get up in the morning.” – Mitsue Nagasawa, Japanese centenarian, on the significance of meaning and social roles.
Finding purpose, cultivating positive attitudes, nourishing social connections, exercising moderation, and caring for health seem to be consistent themes from the oldest people on Earth. While genetics plays a role, applying their longevity lessons can hopefully extend our lifespans in good health.
Conclusion
Reaching the once rare age of 100 years is becoming more common, but remains an extraordinary accomplishment. Centenarians tend to share habits like positive outlooks, healthy diets, frequent exercise, close relationships, moderate alcohol intake, and spiritual practices that may boost longevity. However, living well past 100 also comes with challenges of health declines, loss of loved ones, financial issues, and care needs. Still, many centenarians find joy and purpose in their lives – a remarkable example to the rest of us as we aim to extend our health spans and fulfillment. While making it to 100 relies in part on uncontrollable factors like genetics, we can all learn life lessons from centenarians on proper lifestyle habits and attitudes to cultivate well-being and longevity.