What’s the formula for longevity?

WINNIFRED ‘MS PEARL’ Stern lived to the remarkable age of 108 years. When asked the age-old question about the secret to a long life, her answer was always succinct: “God.”

A wife, mother, and the oldest member of the Golden Designs programme, Ms Pearl was a living example of what active ageing looks like. At 106 years old, she took up painting and drawing. She revealed that art and geography had been her favourite subjects in school.

Without the aid of eyeglasses, she created delicate floral and abstract pieces, sometimes painting well into the night. Her work eventually made its way into a public showcase, and her spirit remained as radiant as her brushstrokes as she chatted with patrons.

At her thanksgiving service held two weeks ago at the St Andrew Parish Church, daughter Normadelle Whittle described her as a Proverbs 31 woman, “clothed with strength and dignity”.

“She lived a long, healthy, and fulfilled life,” Whittle said. “Her life was built on the love of God. Despite devastating losses of her parents, her husband, her firstborn, a son, and a niece, she remained positive, resilient, and hopeful.”

When people asked Ms Pearl for the secret to her longevity, her response was as profound as it was simple: “There is no secret. It is love.”

LONGEVITY ON THE RISE

While we often hear of friends and loved ones passing on, the truth is that more people are living longer. Globally, life expectancy has risen to around 73.6 years (as of the World Health Organization’s most recent data).

In Jamaica, centenarians are becoming more visible. At the last National Centenarians Day observance in May, it was revealed that there are more than 449 Jamaicans age 100 years and older.

This shift is largely due to improved healthcare access, better nutrition, and increased awareness about wellness. Some countries, such as the United Kingdom, have already begun raising the retirement age in response to people living and working longer.

In Jamaica, retirement age reforms have also taken place, with the new retirement age set at 65 for a few years now, a move aimed at encouraging longer participation in the workforce and better pension coverage.

HAVE GOD IN YOUR LIFE

Dr Hyacinth Hue, who will turn 91 in December and counts several centenarians among her relatives, smiled broadly when asked her formula for a long life. “Have God in your life,” she said with a hearty laugh.

A retired nutritionist, Dr Hue is a firm believer in biblical wisdom: “Honour your parents and those who rule over you, and your days will be long upon the land.”

Her second principle for longevity? Eat clean. “Eat natural foods from the soil and trees. The fruits, vegetables, and ground provisions. Stay away from processed foods and those grown with chemicals,” she advised.

PURPOSE, POSITIVITY, AND THE POWER OF THE MIND

Gerontologist and recreational therapist Dr Sharon E. McKenzie has worked with older adults across the Caribbean and North America. She notes that seniors who live the longest often have one thing in common: purpose.

“Having a reason to get up each day, even something as personal as caring for a spouse with Alzheimer’s, gives meaning,” Dr McKenzie said. “And when that purpose changes, they find a new one, like teaching others to care for a loved one.”

These seniors also tend not to ‘sweat the small stuff’. They put their energy into things that bring joy; whether it is growing a bush, watering a plant, learning a new skill, or simply sitting in the sun. “They place importance on what truly matters and let go of what does not,” said Dr McKenzie.

While physical wellness matters, Dr McKenzie is quick to point out that the mindset plays an equally, if not more significant role. “You can eat well and exercise but still be deeply unhappy. The will to live, the will to love, and the will to share are just as vital.”

ADAPTATION: A CORNERSTONE OF POSITIVE AGEING

One surprising finding from recent ageing research is that older adults can, in fact, learn new things. This debunks the myth that “you cannot teach an old dog new tricks”. Whether it is a senior learning to use a smartphone, joining an art class, or starting a garden in their golden years, adaptation is a key marker of positive ageing.

“We are seeing seniors at 100 and 105 who are still active and eager to try new things. Lifelong learning and curiosity are important ingredients in the longevity mix,” Dr McKenzie stated.

No one knows the hour or the day. As octogenarian Madge Francis once said, “It is God’s plan.” But what is becoming clear is that longevity is influenced by a blend of faith, mindset, purpose, nutrition, and joy.

SOURCE: Golden Designs. They may be reached at www.goldendesigns.org.