Those attending the 90s Birthday Party May 9 at the Golden Age Center were, from left, (front) Alberta Zachary, Lillie Collins, Virginia Barker, Cora Farthing, (middle) Madge Merrell, Rosene Allison, Ethel Burrell, Louise Morgan, Geneva Welch, (back) Margie Messer, Daisy Watson, Irona Madden, Irene Gilmore, Bert Moses, Regina Fisher, Fern Watson and Mary Monteith. Not pictured: Ed Klerlein and Thad Stiles. - Herald photos by Rose Hooper
Jackson County is blessed with a number of citizens over the age of 90, said Helen Bryson, director of the Jackson County Department on Aging. She and others honored the 19 attending the 90s Birthday Party Friday, May 9. The party is one of the many activities the Department on Aging celebrates during May in recognition of Older Americans Month. One in eight North Carolinians, or nearly 1 million people, are age 65 or older, according to Bryson. Worldwide, the number of people who live beyond the age of 100 is rapidly growing. In the United States, it is estimated there are more than 48,427 individuals over 100. Throughout the world it is estimated there are 180,000 centenarians. By 2050, the number is project to increase to 3.2 million. Geriatric researchers have been especially interested in Dominica, where 21 centenarians live on the Caribbean island. Dominica's Minister of Health Herbert Sabaroche attributes the longevity to "fresh foods, clean water, pure air, a high level of relaxation, good family support, belief in God, low stress and lots of exercise." One of those residents, 102-year-old Augista Mathilde Daroux, recently told reporters that she thinks her long life is due, in part, to drinking lots of cane juice and eating arrowroot, fish, river crabs, prawns and crayfish. Most of the 100-year-olds on the island thrive on "callaloo," a spinach-based soup that is deep green in color and made from the leaves of the dasheen plant. They drink water straight from the river in this island free of industrial plants and chemicals and few motor vehicles. Dominicans live as extended families in small, generally self-sufficient communities and share a strong respect for the elderly and have a deeply-rooted belief in God. Bryson said she finds these qualities similar to Jackson County, where "people in the communities care about and take care of each other and churches are a focal point." The county Department on Aging also serves as a focal point for helping older adults stay active and healthy and maintain a positive outlook on life. Moderate physical activity can help improve the health of most aging adults, according to Judy Pounds, Department on Aging activities director. An inactive lifestyle can cause aging adults to lose ground in four areas important for staying healthy and independent strength, balance, flexibility and endurance, Pounds said. "Being physically active is one of the most important things older adults can do for themselves," said Pounds. "Some seniors are afraid that exercise will be too strenuous or that physical activity will harm them. But even frail, older adults can prolong their independence and improve their quality of life by becoming more physically active." Exercise helps maintain healthy bones, muscles and joints and helps aging adults with chronic, disabling condition improve their stamina and muscle strength. It also helps reduce blood pressure, Pounds said. According to her, physical activity can also improve one's mood, relieve stress, reduce the symptoms of anxiety and depression and even improve one's ability to think. "Sometimes older folks say they feel too tired to be more physically active... but others report they feel more energetic from being physically active," Pounds said. "It may take a little push to get out the door, but you're likely to come back feeling renewed and energized." |