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President Gerald Ford died at the age of 93. What was the secret to his longevity? It may have been a life filled with physical activity.
Gerald Ford turned down pro football offers from both the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers. Instead he coached boxing and football at Yale, where he eventually attended law school. He also worked as a physical fitness instructor.
When he became president at the age of 61, he was in excellent physical condition. He swam daily and skied often. He also enjoyed golf and tennis on a regular basis.
Living longer
One hundred years ago, only 4 percent of Americans (about 3 million) lived past the age of 65. Today, that number exceeds 36 million. It is expected to nearly double in the next 25 years.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, healthy aging depends on the following:
- Healthy living. Research has shown that remaining physically active, eating a healthy diet and refraining from smoking are more important factors than genetics in promoting healthy aging.
- Disease detection. Screening for chronic diseases - and catching them when they are still treatable - saves lives.
- Immunizations. Influenza and pneumonia kill 36,000 seniors each year. Receiving timely immunizations reduces the risk for hospitalization and death from these diseases.
- Injury prevention. The most common cause of injuries in the elderly is falls. More than one-third of adults aged 65 or older fall each year. Twenty percent to 30 percent of those injuries are moderate to severe, resulting in a lack of mobility and independence.
- Self-management techniques. Programs that teach seniors to manage pain, fatigue and stress and to develop exercise routines help them to live productive lives.
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This article was reviewed and updated June 2007.
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