Talk about “getting older without getting old.”
A recent UnitedHealthcare 100@100 survey provides an in-depth look into the lives of centenarians living in the U.S. It reveals not frailty or limitation, as many expected, but resilience, Clarity, and a profound sense of purpose.
It comes as no surprise here at SuperAging News that these 100-year-olds are defying every cliché of Aging. They feel decades younger than their age. They meditate, lift weights, and video-chat with grandchildren. They embrace change, nurture friendships, and lean into joy with the kind of hard-won perspective that only a century of living can provide. Their stories form a portrait of Longevity that challenges us to reconsider not just how long we want to live, but how fully.
What emerges is a SuperAger manifesto for living: stay curious, stay connected, stay grateful. And above all — don’t let a number define you.
We’ve written about it a lot in our books and on these pages—how for far too long, society has viewed aging as a slow fade, a time of diminishing returns, faded ambitions, and growing fragility. That view, unfortunately, still shapes many policies, products, and expectations. But the 100@100 survey validates the SuperAging ethos: aging doesn’t have to be a decline. Instead, for an increasing number of older adults, it’s a time of adaptation, fulfillment, and continued Growth.
In fact, many centenarians in the survey don’t feel 100. On average, they say they feel more like 68. And they’re not sitting still (literally). Nearly 70% walk or hike weekly, while 46% engage in strength training. Nearly one third say they still enjoy working in their garden.
Not surprisingly, 67% say they eat a healthy Diet, and 42% practice Meditation or other Stress-relieving activities. They’re not shy about embracing Technology, from smart phones and video games to Artificial Intelligence platforms like ChatGPT. Sustaining friendships and community ties remain important, as well as having a “positive outlook” despite any challenges.
It’s the combination of things centenarians are doing to stay active and engaged that’s impressive, Dr. Rhonda Randall, a geriatrician and the chief medical officer of UnitedHealthcare, told NPR. “It’s not just one thing,” she says. “What we can learn from these folks is that it’s a holistic approach” to aging.
What stands out in their stories isn’t just how long they’ve lived — but how deliberately. A few nuggets from the survey:
The revelations from the survey matter not only to those already well into their later years, but to anyone — at any age — looking to shape a life that’s fulfilling, resilient, and meaningful. Here are four key takeaways:
This survey was conducted at a time when people are living longer than ever. The fastest-growing segment of the population? The very old. In the U.S. alone, there are approximately100,000 centenarians. This number is expected to surge to more than 400,000 in the next three decades. And as longevity increases, so does the potential for reimagining what the later years can look like: A time not of decline, but of evolution.
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