Honoring our centenarians

Every year, in the Summer issue of our quarterly THRIVE60+ newsletter, we honor Dutchess County’s centenarians and couples married 70 years or more.

And it’s getting crowded at the top. The number of centenarians and ultra-long-term married couples keeps growing. It’s a trend we really like to see, and a testimony to all the things our older adults are doing to maximize their chances of long, happy, independent lives.

So what’s their big secret?

We ask this question of as many of our oldest adults as we can find. They’ve given us some diverse and intriguing answers as to how they’ve been able to stick around for so long, and how we might follow if we did this same. They’ve sworn by good nutrition, strong faith, nine golden raisins soaked in gin, regular exercise, a sense of purpose ... wait, can we go back to that third one, the one with the raisins?

It’s a common European folk remedy, where the raisins are soaked, sometimes for weeks, in whatever the popular local spirit may be. There’s no science that we’re aware of to support the longevity claims, but we weren’t about to get into an argument with a 107-year-old. As always, it’s best to consult with a healthcare provider before attempting to treat yourself with any therapy that has not been prescribed for you.

We’ve been in touch with centenarians’ families, some for several years. When their centenarian family member passes away, they’ve often said something we never expected: we were surprised. How can that be?

The answer lies in a phenomenon that may be even more impressive than their long lives: How so many of them remained physically and mentally active, in many cases until they day they died. They were not only extending their lifespan; they extended their “healthspan,” the amount of time living in good health, free from chronic disease and disabilities associated with aging. And so, their next of kin tell us things like “He just mowed the lawn three days ago” and “She came in from the garden, sat down in her favorite chair, and passed away.”

The Office for the Aging is again looking for Dutchess County centenarians or 70+ year married couples. We honored 36 centenarians in 2024; and if current trends continue, we may honor 40 or more this year. If these unique examples of successful aging turn 100 or more, or celebrate their milestone anniversary at any point this year, we’d love to know about it and honor them in the Summer 2025 THRIVE60+ newsletter. Reach out to OFA at 845-486-2555 or ofa@dutchessny.gov to let us know.

Golden Living is prepared by the Dutchess County Office for the Aging.