Seniors Over Age 90 Report: “60 Minutes” 5/4/2014

News Anchor Leslie Stahl reported this past Sunday on America's senior citizens over 90 years of age. "60 Minutes" was reviewing a study started in 1980, with periodic updates. The latest findings "60 Minutes" felt were worthy of focusing on for one of the three segments of the May 4th, 2014, broadcast.

The over 90 years old demographic is the largest growing demographic in the United States.

NOTE: I am "adding to the broadcast" here! Check with your doctor BEFORE doing any of these things in your diet or lifestyle. If you are diabetic or have other medical conditions, you will have different "rules".

See also:

http://www.cbs.com/shows/60_minutes/video/dRWD3hwiSX1mgZ_KUyERm9Fx8vUW_s42/over-a-barrel-90-/

http://www.recapo.com/60-minutes/60-minutes-interviews/60-minutes-live-age-90-long-exercise-longevity/

Findings for living a longer  healthy life:

Diet and Exercise:

Surprises:

• No vitamins made difference - take these, or not, no difference!
• Drinking coffee is a good idea - 1 - 3 cups per day is better for seniors than "not drinking coffee".
• Drink alcohol - two glasses per day  is better than none. It doesn't matter what you drink.
• Gain some weight - it is much better to be of "average weight" or even "a little overweight", than to be "underweight".
• Don't worry so much about what you are eating.
• Date more, or enjoy your relationship. It's good for you.

Expected:

• Exercise at least 45 minutes per day. If you need to do "less", do at least 15 minutes per day. Perhaps go for a walk in the morning and garden in the afternoon.

Mental Health

Surprise:

• You can still get dementia after age 90.
• Odds for "getting dementia" double every year after age 65.
• More people "over age 90" have dementia, than "ALL of the other people under age 90" with dementia!
• Medical science can't completely and accurately diagnose dementia until after someone dies and they do an autopsy on their brain.
• If you have high blood pressure, you have less chance for dementia, if you are over age 90.

Expected:

• Being "mentally active" is very good for you - for every hour a day of each year of intense mental activity you can add one year on your life year after year.
• Many people are getting micro infarcs - like small strokes.
• More at risk for micro infarcs if you have low blood pressure.

The Big Mystery - "The Role of Plaques and Tangles":

• If you have "NO plaques and tangles" in your brain - you might still have thinking problemsAND the corollary is also true:
• If you HAVE "plaques and tangles" in your brain - you may NOT have thinking problems.
• Medical science now can scan for plaques and tangles.

Tags: dating, dementia, diet, exercise, mental health, over age 90, seniors