CENTENARIAN RESEARCH STUDY

"How old would you be, if you didn't know how old you was?"    -Satchel Paige

When this study was initiated in 1996, little did any of us know there were so many centenarians living in Prince George's County, Maryland. Of even greater surprise was the number of them still living in their own homes and communities. This Centenarian Research Study is the natural outgrowth of our seniors' exercise, physical activity and lifetime sports programs and research studies. The major premise of these studies is that longevity and functional health are enhanced as a result of active lifestyles. Plain and simple!

We first received worldwide recognition when I was fortunate enough to present our lifetime sports and physical activity research studies at the International Conference on Aging and Physical Activity. Our world wide renown continues as this centenarian research study was validated by the Harvard University School of Medicine Centenarian Research Center in 1998.

Over the years we have found some truly remarkable individuals. For example, we found a centenarian couple who had been married to each other for more than 82 years, longer than the current U.S. life expectancy. We found a set of centenarian sisters, a set of centenarian sisters-in-law, and a 102 year old woman who wrote her autobiography at the age of 95. One year we found a significant number of centenarians living in the Seat Pleasant general area and we found a significant number of lifelong county residents.

We know there are far more centenarians living in Prince George's County than our research reveals because each year we find centenarians who do not want to be profiled or featured in any way. We accept this phenomenon as a signal that more older people are becoming much more accepting of their longevity as a natural continuation of the life cycle rather than some extraordinary feat. This is a good thing!

We continue to thank Dr. Thomas Perls and the Harvard University School of Medicine for their support; we thank all those who continue to assist and support us in this most worthy endeavor; and we thank you.

It is my heart's fondest desire that we'd each live a hundred-plus healthy, happy, productive years, with no regrets! God bless