The following article is a transcript of the Community Focus segment that we do each month for KEOM 88.5FM in Mesquite, Texas. It was recorded at their studios on July 22, 2003. The Community Focus segment is alternated with other guests several times each month. The Community Focus segment is aired weekdays at 10:15AM, 2:15PM and 6:15PM. The program is hosted by Dr. James Griffin, the Station Director. The topic of Mike's segment this month is A Study in Smart Living.

Q:So, Mike, what are we talking about today?

A: Well, Dr. Griffin, I was scrounging around on the internet the other day trying to find information that might show what the relationship is between a sense of purpose and longevity. What I found was fascinating. In 2001, Long Island University completed a study in which 545 seniors between the ages of 80 and 100 answered a questionnaire that shed light on the values and lifestyles that they felt are important to their length of days.

Q: What did they find?

A: First, the majority of these elderly folks didn't feel elderly at all. Indeed, 72% felt that they were very independent. Certainly, when our society seeks to curb this sense of personal freedom, it generally has a negative effect. While some changes may have to be made as we age, we should do everything possible to encourage a sense of personal freedom.

When they were specifically asked to check all the things that they felt explained their old age, 66% felt that it came from an active lifestyle and 64% felt that it came from enjoying life. Other attitudes and behaviors that they felt contributed to their long lives were things like an active thought life, faith in God, good self care, and positive attitudes toward life and living.

Working with the elderly, I often see them dealing with adversity. The style with which centenarians handle adversity seems important in this study. When study participants were asked what they did "When I am feeling low or unhappy,"� just under half said that they talked to themselves in a positive way, others would actively socialize, some would engage in a creative activity that was pleasant, such as crafts, and still others would attempt to find some one to talk with about it.

Q: How did they respond when they went through a loss or a disappointment?

A: This is probably where it gets the hardest, as it would for any age. Most, 64% in fact, tried to look at it philosophically. Others said I work it out through concentrated physical activity.� Finally, 12% said that It gets me down for a long time.� This is consistent with what we know about the process of grief and bereavement.

Q: What other things seemed interesting?

A: Well, one thing that certainly defined these remarkable folks was that they continued to enjoy time with others. Fully 70% said that they socialized with friends frequently. Only 28% said they socialized occasionally or rarely. Certainly, this seems an important factor in endowing life with meaning and pleasure.

Finally, one marker that defined who these folks are is their volunteerism. Even in their advanced years, 46% of these men and women made the time and energy to volunteer. Again, it strikes me as amazing that even between the ages of 80 and 100, those among us who live the longest still live and practice their belief that life is only lived well if we are sharing it.

All of this reminds me of a quote by George Bernard Shaw: "This is the true joy in life, being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one. Being a force of nature instead of a feverish, selfish little clod of ailments and grievances complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy. I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the whole community and as I live it is my privilege - my privilege to do for it whatever I can."
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To read the press release for the study for yourself, GO HERE!