Britain’s senior population is living longer and healthier lives, thanks to a rare group of individuals known as “super-agers.” These extraordinary individuals, who are the focus of intensive scientific research, are redefining what it means to grow old.
At 89 years old, Lajuana Weathers from Illinois is the epitome of a super-ager. She starts each day with a refreshing celery juice, strives to increase her daily step count, and meditates regularly. Weathers is part of the SuperAging Research Initiative at the University of Chicago, which studies those over 80 with memory performance on par with people decades younger.
“I concentrate on how good it is to be alive,” says Weathers, who dresses in a way that “satisfies” her and sings along to choral music to boost her mood. Despite her advanced age, Weathers is remarkably active, walking for 40 minutes each morning and evening, doing occupational therapy twice a week, and attending a weekly wellness class.
Ralph Rehbock, 91, is another super-ager from the Chicago suburbs. The German-born Holocaust survivor is the first vice-president of the Illinois Holocaust Museum, sharing his story of escape from the Nazis. Rehbock also manages the singing group for a social club for male retirees, and works tirelessly on an extensive family tree project.
Researchers have found that the brains of super-agers like Weathers and Rehbock are “indistinguishable” from those of people decades younger, with no thinning of the cortex, the outer layer of the brain. This suggests that lifestyle factors, such as physical activity and social engagement, play a crucial role in maintaining cognitive function.
Other super-agers are pushing the boundaries of physical capability. Ina Koolhaas Revers, a 78-year-old powerlifting champion from Amsterdam, has muscle mass and strength comparable to women in their 20s. Meanwhile, 78-year-old Hans Smeets from the Netherlands has a VO2 max, a measure of cardiorespiratory fitness, that would place him in the top 75th percentile of 20- to 29-year-olds.
The secrets to their success seem to be a combination of genetics, healthy lifestyles, and a commitment to staying active and engaged. As Professor Eric Topol, author of “Super Ager,” explains, “Lifestyle is fundamental” to healthy ageing, with factors like an anti-inflammatory diet, regular exercise, and quality sleep being crucial.
While not everyone may be able to compete in triathlons or powerlifting competitions, the super-agers demonstrate that it’s never too late to start prioritising your health. As 65-year-old Neil Hunter, an Ironman Age-Group world champion, says, “My mantra is: get fit, stay healthy, be happy.”
