Super-agers give us their tips on how to live your best life
nine years ago. I’m not being a martyr; I just don’t like overtaxing the system with medication.
In fact, when I had breast cancer six years ago — it was a tiny lump, so I had a lumpectomy — I was prescribed tamoxifen to stop it returning, but only took it for a week.
I hated the side-effects — I was tired and aching and didn’t want to spend my old age like that. My GP accepted it (I think because of my age), though I am not advocating everyone does this.
I eat fish at least twice a week and there is very little red meat in my diet. I don’t drink caffeine, but I enjoy red bush tea.
After my first husband died suddenly from asthma aged 46, I took up sailing and aerobics. I’m a little bit old for that now, but I’ve been going to Pilates twice a week for the past 15 to 20 years and use an exercise bike every day for at least 15 minutes.
Until eight years ago, I was a volunteer for Childline. I also read a lot. It’s important to keep your mind occupied. Genes help, too — my mother died at 86 and never had a day’s illness (my father died at 71 — still a good age then). I don’t recall having a cholesterol test and, when I admitted this to my GP, he laughed and said if I’d got to this age without knowing my readings, I was probably okay.
EXPERT COMMENT:
Thelma has a good diet and lifestyle and Pilates will help increase her strength and flexibility so it is great for balance — and preventing falls.
However, having had a knee replacement after suffering osteoporosis, she should do some weight-bearing exercise — simple things such as climbing stairs or walking around the garden.
A few cups of tea or coffee a day are perfectly fine, but red bush is a good alternative to caffeine, as it’s high in antioxidants (which minimise the cell damage that may lead to heart disease or cancer) and vitamin C, which will boost her immune system.
I would never advocate a patient stopping medication without consulting their doctor, but there’s no doubt polypharmacy — taking many prescription and over-the-counter medicines — is of concern, as there can be a risk of adverse reactions between drugs, especially if they’re not regularly reviewed.