Centenarian Secrets to Staying Alive Longer

Adele Dunlap is America’s oldest living resident at 113 years of age. (Photo: ABC News)

One hundred thirteen is the magic number, or 113 years, 7 months and 1 week to be exact. That’s the age of the woman who was just named America’s oldest living resident, Adele Dunlap, according to ABC News. The New Jersey resident, born Dec. 12, 1902, became the record holder on July 8 after the previous oldest resident (also 113 years old) died. So what’s her secret to such a long life?

The centenarian, who currently resides in the County Arch Care Center, is known by people at the facility as “quiet,” but she still participates in her favorite activities like word games, church, and entertainment events, which coincide with what she’s liked to do her whole life. The youngest of four children, who had three children herself, Dunlap enjoyed theater parties and luncheons with friends while married to her late husband, Earl Dunlap Jr. 

While Dunlap’s made it this long with such an easygoing persona, other centenarians have shared wilder secrets to living such long lives.

Just last year, popular centenarian Agnes Fenton turned 110, recalling her daily drinking habit as the reason for her long life. In fact, she drank three Miller Lights and a shot of Scotch each day for 70 years on her doctor’s recommendation.

Going against doctor’s wishes, however, then 100-year-old Dorothy Howe claimed that whisky had something to do with her longevity, along with smoking 15 cigarettes a day. A habit that is strictly condemned by the world’s oldest person, the late Susannah Mushatt Jones. The Guinness Book of World Records holder boasted of not smoking a day in her life, but also attributed her extensive years to her love of bacon and Doublemint gum.

Although indulging in good food and drink is surely a recipe for a long life, 100-year-old Elsa Bailey fulfilled her craving for adventure by skiing on her birthday back in 2013. But her longevity is seemingly owed to daily time on her trampoline. “It activates every cell in your body,” she told Good Morning America.

Along with the advice of feeling good, another centenarian places emphasis on looking good in order to increase her years. Back in 2011, Huffington Post spoke to 100-year-old Ruth Coben, whose secret to living a long life was maintaining a “beautiful life” filled with skincare products and nice clothing. And while Coben advises not to even look at a calendar, one of the world’s longest-serving physicians once advised to always have a plan for the future.

While much of this advice is unconventional and not tested, we can only hope that 100 years of life is truly this fun. So eat, drink, and be merry because a life this long is worth living when you’re doing whatever you want.