Elderly Ethel Caterham Tops World's Age Chart, Offers Wisdom at 115
Lively chat time, folks! Let's dive into the remarkable story of Ethel Caterham, the spritely 115-year-old living it up in a Surrey retirement home. Ethel's the oldest person on the block, and she's got a killer secret to her longevity: "Do what you want and avoid the noise"!
Now, Ethel's journey is one for the history books. Born in Hampshire, England in 1909, she was just one of eight kiddos. At 18, she jetted off to India for an au pair gig, but three years and a bunch of adventures later, she was back home in Blighty. In true Ethel fashion, she met her husband, Norman, in 1931 and married him up in 1933. The pair spent some overseas time together in Hong Kong, where Ethel even set up her own kindergarten!
Sadly, Norman and one of Ethel's daughters passed away in 1976 and 2020, respectively. But our resilient gal's still got a full house with three granddaughters and five great-grandkids. To this day, she's a driving force, hopping behind the wheel at 97, and beating board games like a boss.
For her 115th, Ethel even nabbed a birthday shout-out from the king himself! In her own words, "I've lived all over the world and ended up in this beautiful place where everyone treats me right."
Ethel swapped her crown for a napkin at the table last Wednesday, as another centenarian, Inah Canabarro Lucas, claimed the oldest living person title. But what's Ethel's secret to the big 1-1-5? "I never argue and do what I want"!
Boosting Your Longevity
Centenarians and long-living gurus often dish out tips for living a long, vibrant life. So, here's a slice of their collective wisdom:
1. Stay Smiling
Louise Jean Signore, 112 years young in New York, keeps her wits sharp with daily strolls, despite age catching up.
2. Go Wild on Deliciousness
Ruth Goldberg Jaskow, 101 years old, enjoys life to the fullest by chowing down on whatever tickles her fancy.
3. Rejoice in the Moments
Katie MacRae, 107 and still counting, advocates for keeping active and finding joy in life's simple pleasures.
4. Be a Brainiac
Buddy Grover, a former lighthouse keeper, maintained his mental fitness by solving Sudoku and crossword puzzles daily.
Psst! Want more? Check out these tips, courtesy of SuperAgers experts and research [1][2][4]:
- Mental Activity (reading, learning, solving puzzles)
- Regular Physical Activity (exercise, laughter as "light exercise")
- Strong Social Connections (community, friends, family)
- Healthy Diet (plant-based, balanced nutrition)
- Stress Management (laughter, mindfulness, hobbies)
- Purpose/Optimism (goals, hobbies, positive outlook)
- Preventive Healthcare (regular check-ups, early interventions)
So there you have it, folks! Ethel's set the bar high, but remember: it's not just about the years – it's about the quality of life during those years. Cheers to chasing that triple-digit number and making every day count! 🎉💎✨
- Intriguingly, Ethel Caterham, the 115-year-old who recently lost her title as the oldest living person, attributes her longevity to a simple philosophy: "Do what you want and avoid the noise."
- Remarkably, Ethel's story echoes the advice of other centenarians who emphasize the importance of finding joy in life's simple pleasures, as Katie MacRae, 107 and still counting, recommends.
- For those seeking longevity tips, science shows that maintaining mental activity, regular physical activity, strong social connections, a healthy diet, stress management, purpose, and optimism can contribute significantly to a long and vibrant life, gleaned from the wisdom of super agers experts and research.
- As we learn from Ethel's journey and other longevity gurus, it's essential to focus on the quality of life during those years rather than just the number, to make every day count and chase the triple-digit number with zest.
