Of
Interest:
As
of June, 2008, the U.S. Census Bureau estimates there
are about 95,000 centenarians, a number that is
increasing steadily, and is predicted to more than
quadruple by 2030, reaching 1.15 million by 2050.
Some demographers are even
predicting that high school students of today have a
good chance of reaching the century mark!
Also,
for the near term, a
conservative estimate is that at least one out of three
women age 50 today will reach 90.
National Centenarian Awareness
Project, a nonprofit 501(c(3))
organization,
celebrates active centenarians as role models for the
future of aging. Each month we present remarkable centenarians and
feature one on our inspirational calendar. Weekly, on our blog, we
discuss centenarians and what it’s like to live to 100 and beyond.
National
Centenarian Awareness Project (NCAP)
a nonprofit 501(c(3))
organization, was founded by Lynn
Peters Adler, J.D., who has devoted her career to honoring, studying,
and advocating for increased recognition and inclusion of centenarians
and all elders as a natural part of the fabric of our society. Lynn has
a wealth of information about this increasing segment of our population
and centenarians in particular. Because of her rapport with this special
group, she has a unique understanding of their needs, thoughts, behavior
and philosophies of life. Lynn’s work is predicated on the belief that
ageism in America is both wrong and unnecessary.
Lynn’s voice on centenarians, longevity and positive aging, with an
emphasis on quality of life issues, has been heard throughout the
United States. She continues her long-standing involvement in
community service with her appointment to a new term on the Arizona
Governor’s Advisory Council on Aging (www.azgovernor.gov/gaca) and the Arizona Attorney
General’s Senior Advisory Council. For ten years she served as
chairperson of the Phoenix Mayor’s Aging Services Commission.
She founded the Arizona Centenarian Program during her first term on
the Governor’s Advisory Council on Aging in the mid 1980s.
(click for more: About Lynn
Peters Adler)
Lynn, through her company Sterling
Resources Inc., is a consultant to
businesses
on programs relating to aging, longevity, centenarians and others of
advanced age.
She also serves as
a catalyst to bring active centenarians to the public’s attention, often
through print and broadcast media.
National
Centenarian Awareness Project
Mission:
“It is
a great distinction to live to 100 years or more.” –
Lynn Peters Adler, 1985
ADVOCACY:
For the continued involvement of our
elders as integral members of society.
CELEBRATION/RECOGNITION:
NCAP seeks to contact and honor all those 100 years old
and older as our living links to history and works with
community entities to promote recognition of our eldest
citizens. Click
to learn about NCAP Centenarian Recognition Program.
INSPIRATION: Active centenarians are role models
for the future of aging
Direct email
to:
adler@NCAP100s.org
800-243-1889 or 602-363-8980 -
cellphone
Our Centenarian 2009 Calendar is inspirational.
Each month we feature a remarkable centenarian and invite you to read
about the centenarian and print out the month's calendar.
We’re catching up with the Clarks, one year
later. Featured last July, Will and Lois Clark celebrated their 75th
wedding anniversary a few months ago, but, as they discovered, it
was not without its challenges.
A “freak accident,” as Dr. Clark described it,
threatened to scuttle this long awaited event. They had already
celebrated their 104th and 101st birthdays, respectively, but to
this devoted couple their milestone anniversary had even greater
significance.
Through a combination of courage, persistence and
determination to do what was right for them, seek appropriate help
as needed, and with the assistance and support of their devoted
family, Will and Lois did achieve their goal.
Click on the calendar for a larger view, to print out
the calendar and read more about the Clarks.
"Elsa's Own Blue Zone" Book Cover
Elsa Hoffmann, our
celebrity centenarian,
is the subject of a new book!
In the new book, “Elsa’s Own Blue Zone — America’s Centenarian
Sweetheart’s Insights for Positive Aging and Living,” author
Sharon Textor-Black shares with readers the philosophies she learned
from her grandmother Elsa Brehm Hoffmann, a woman who became a
national celebrity at 100. At 101, Elsa still drives, does her own
banking, and is out and about daily.
Hoffmann, a stunning, strong and active
centenarian who defies the stereotypes of age, was interviewed by
Barbara Walters during the blockbuster April 2008 longevity special
“How to Live to be 150 … Can You Do It?” Hoffmann was
featured as one of the most active, multi-faceted American seniors,
supported by two years of research by the network and the National
Centenarian Awareness Project. Hoffmann credits her healthful habits
and optimistic life philosophies for her happiness and
accomplishments.
In fact, Dr. Michael Brickey, award winning author and a
psychologist, describes Elsa, saying: “You cannot find a better role
model of a vital, life embracing centenarian.”
“’Elsa’s Own Blue Zone’ is about
Elsa and her long successful life in modern America, citing real
life examples to help you do the same despite adversities we all
face.” says Textor-Black. She adds, “Baby Boomers and Seniors alike
will be inspired and motivated by Elsa’s insights to care for mind,
soul, body and loved ones, engaging in life full force.” Textor-Black
specifies: “History, photos, biography, research, humor, and most
importantly, Elsa’s wisdom and life experiences - from her
hyperbaric chamber treatment to running businesses to leading a
parade; it’s all in there!”
The
predominant themes to Andy Rasch’s long life are his service to his
country, concern for others and his desire for independence. At age
107, he remarkably continues to maintain all three.
Andy and his sister were orphaned before
the age of 5 and placed in an orphanage in the Midwest where they
were abused and neglected, “horribly,” Andy recalls. The memories
of those years and of his mother’s tragic death in a train accident
bring tears to his eyes. At the age of 16, Andy ran away, promising
his sister he would return for her as soon as he could. Andy joined
the Navy and has the documentation
Andy Rasch, 107, with
medals, ribbons and other
memorabilia from his service years.
to prove it. He served aboard
the USS Oklahoma battleship during WWI, and he has an array of
ribbons for bravery and a flag from that era.
“They didn’t give medals – they gave
ribbons," he recalls. He points out the heavy fabric of the flag
and the predominant white stitching at the edges: “They don’t sew
flags with this type of stitching anymore,” he explains. Andy’s
story about his WWI service was broadcast by a local TV station in
2006. The station verified his service with the Veterans
Administration. Andy continues, talking in more detail about how he
went into a burning section of the ship and rescued four men: “I
kept going back in and pulling them out,” he says, “there was fire
all around.”
USS Oklahoma
After
the war ended, Andy kept his promise to his sister. “She was outside
in the yard and I motioned to her to come to the wrought iron
fence. I told her, ‘Come with me, Sister, we’ll be all right.’ She
was so thin that she managed to squeeze through the bars of the
fence.” They remained very close even after she married at the age
of 21. He keeps a photo of her nearby his favorite chair in the
living room of the small apartment where he lives alone.
“You’ll be surprised when you see me,” Andy
tells me on the phone. “I’m not a ‘little
old man.'" In fact,
Andy is about 6 feet tall and weighs around 200 pounds he
says. He and a “lady friend,” who lives nearby and is in her 90s,
enjoy going out for breakfast at the local IHOP and sometimes she
cooks for him. Other times, friends take him out for meals. “I’m
not much of a cook – never have been – but I can manage,” he assures
me. “I grew four inches and put on my natural weight, once I got
out of that place [the orphanage] – they were starving us. Even the
Navy food tasted good to me,” he says ruefully. “Other guys used to
complain; I was grateful.”
Andy also served in WWII as an Army
Reservist. Throughout his life he has been involved in
organizations helping children, and he continues to do so. “His
philanthropy is impressive,” friend Iness confirms. “He really
cares about the welfare of children who need assistance, no matter
what their circumstances.” The high rate of homeless children is
one of his many concerns, and he donates to local organizations to
try and make a difference. “If you can make a difference in one
child’s life, then you’ve accomplished something,” Andy believes.
“When we grew up (referring to his sister), there wasn’t anyone to
help us – we had to make it on our own. I’m glad to see people
caring about kids today.”
Over the years, Andy has collected
newspaper articles of fellow WWI veterans, including obituaries. “I
used to keep in touch with a couple of guys in Wisconsin,” he says,
“but they are gone now.” He also has a recent article about Frank
Buckles, 108, shown at the White House with President George W.
Bush. [Mr. Buckles is recognized as the last surviving WWI
veteran.] “He may be the oldest WWI Vet,” Andy remarks, “but he’s
not the last!” Does he mind being left out? “Not really. I know
who I am and what I’ve done in my life,” he says philosophically.
“Except that he gets to be buried in Arlington [National] Cemetery.”
Vicente Osorio, a naturalized citizen at age 100
On April
4th, 2008, Manuel Vicente Osorio Rios, 100 years old, posed as a
proud American citizen, becoming the first Arizonian and the 11th in
the nation to be naturalized at 100 years old, the day before his
101st birthday. He recalled the special day as one of the proudest
moments in his life; it was his life-long dream to become an
American citizen.
The ABC Barbara Walters Special on
aging and longevity "Live to be 150" aired the first of April,
2008.
I was asked two years ago to participate in this
project and it was both a wonderful and exhilarating experience.
It was an honor and a privilege to work
with Ms. Walters and her talented and caring team of professionals.
We’ve put together a “behind the scene”
feature with bios of
The Barbara Walters Special features five of our
centenarians:
Pictured (l-r): Dorothy Young, "Rosie" Ross, Lillian Cox,
Barbara Walters, Dr. Karl Hartzell and Elsa Hoffmann.
each of the five centenarians who traveled to New
York City last September for this history-making, first-ever event.
When a “TV legend” is interested in longevity, it makes all the work I
have devoted my career to over the past 23 years worthwhile – AGING IS IN!!
Ms. Walters is even more attractive in person; she
was so gracious with the centenarians and her staff so very considerate
and respectful. I have participated in a lot of media productions over
the years and often with centenarians. Some of the experiences have unfortunately been somewhere
between upsetting and disappointing. But
with Ms. Walters’ team, it was “top notch,” as one of my 100-year-old
friends put it, and another summed it up as a “magical experience.”
