Centenarian Self-Perceptions of Factors Responsible for Attainment of Extended Health and Longevity

Abstract

Pathways healthy and physically functional centenarians take to achieve advanced old age have fascinated mankind for centuries. This hermeneutic phenomenological study documents characteristics perceived by centenarians as important and central to their attainment of advanced longevity. Secondary data including written transcripts and audio and video interviews were collected from the Internet for 19 centenarians ranging in age from 100 to 115. Four themes were identified and described: (a) lifestyle choices, (b) community and environment, (c) goal setting and attainment, and (d) attitude towards life. Centenarians credited tangible, easily understood personal lifestyle choices for their attainment of advanced longevity. No consensus was found between the current analysis and major themes identified in a literature review from quantitative studies. Future research should include qualitative analysis utilizing primary interviews of centenarians and mixed methods studies designed to explore the differences between the current qualitative and quantitative research findings.

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the Frederick Banting and Charles Best Canada Graduate Scholarship Doctoral Award 2009–2013 from the Canadian Institute of Health Research.