Learn the secrets of living for a century
WHAT’S the secret of a long life? Gertrude ‘Topsy’ Hindley, 103, this week revealed that she believes not watching television has helped her live to a grand old age.
Instead of worrying about the TV news, Sidmouth resident Topsy listens to the radio and has spent her extra free time helping friends and setting up a local animal rescue centre.
Scientists in Sweden have some other suggestions. They looked at 855 men over a 50-year period — and found that the ten who reached their 100th birthday were all non-smokers who had kept themselves slim and fit, maintained a good posture and had low cholesterol and low blood pressure.
They had all worked until at least their mid-fifties, drank no more than four cups of coffee a day and owned their home by the age of 50 or rented a good property.
Having mothers who lived into their 80s or 90s was also an important factor, says the Gothenburg University team.
All the centenarians were still living at home and enjoying life, which backs up research by University College London that found pensioners with a sense of purpose live two years longer.
And a recent study by Imperial College suggests that healthier eating habits and new medical advances will help people to survive longer, too. Scientists predict that life expectancy will increase for men from 79.5 years for those today, to 85.7 for those in 2030, and for women from 83.3 to 87.6. Simple lifestyle changes could all extend life.
STAY SAFE WHEN BATHING
BATH boards, grab rails, slip-resistant
mats and bath lifts are just a few of the products that help make the bathroom a safer place for seniors. And having an easy-access shower installed can also be a wise move to avoid a fall.
Showering could prove more practical and less time-consuming for everyday washing than taking a bath.
Grab bars, slip-resistant flooring and drop-down seating aid stability and take the pressure off joints.
If you prefer bathing in a tub, think about having a hydrovescent spa system fitted to a new walk-in bath. Thousands of tiny bubbles will gently massage you and ease your aches and pains.
Jazz up the whole bathroom with LED lighting that changes colour, for a fun and funky feel that’s very relaxing.
BE TRANSPORTED UP TO BED
A HOME lift could see you beamed up to the bedroom each night — Star Trek-style.
These great new lifts allow users to move between floors smoothly and quietly — and are not just for those with mobility issues.
People have been known to install them to carry shopping, help with a baby or toddler, replace a dumbwaiter or even reach a helicopter pad! And for those who had felt restricted to ground-floor living there is now more property choice.
With no need for a lift shaft, building work is simpler that you’d think.
The lift pictured above can carry two people, is just 3ft 8in at its widest — and only requires an aperture in the ceiling of the same compact dimensions. It does not need to be attached to the walls, making the installation process much cleaner.
A hexagonal, glass-panelled pod that looks rather like a Star Trek transporter sits in a corner downstairs and travels up and down one floor, powered by a hydraulic mechanism hidden in the pillar at its rear.
Gravity means that it simply floats down in a controlled and natural manner. The only noise that you might hear is the soft hydraulics on ascent. On the way down this slick and quiet glass lift is virtually noiseless.
Plus, it has touch-sensitive edges, so will stop if it hits a piece of furniture that has been accidentally left in the way.
And should there ever be a problem, there is a full battery back-up and a manual override on the inside and outside, as well as for the doors. A phone can also be hardwired to the inside of the lift.
LOVE being in the sun? Now is the time to think about getting a lightweight mobility scooter to make summer holidays more feasible. Pack it in the car or take it on a train, coach or plane! Or look for a larger model that could take you on outings to the park or woods.