Senior Would Like to Aim for Record

Q. Grandpa Bruce is 91 and is still trying to live on his own. He used to joke that he’d live to be 120 and claimed he might end up being the oldest man on record. Remaining at home is becoming a challenge for him, although I think he could make it longer with help. I’d like to find information about the world’s oldest people to spur on this ultra-competitive senior, plus some suggestions for helping him since I don’t live in his city.

Those are lofty targets for Grandpa Bruce. Guinness World Records, according to recent news media reports, proclaimed Jiroemon Kiumua of Japan as the oldest man ever, the oldest living man and the oldest living person at 115.

Kiumua, who was born April 19, 1897, gained worldwide attention recently following the death of a record-breaking Iowa woman. It’s unlikely that Kiumua’s ongoing longevity will approach Methuselah’s 969 years – from about 3339 B.C. to about 2370 B.C. – as the oldest person recorded in the Bible.

Kimura reached the record books after Dina Manfredini of Johnston, Iowa, died at 115 years, 257 days. The oldest person reportedly was Jeanne Calment of France, who lived to 122 years and 164 days (1875-1997). Kimura, who lives in Kyotango City, Kyoto, has 14 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren and 13 great, great-grandchildren.

His motto is “eat light to live long.” Japan has the most centenarians in the world per capita. Okinawa has the highest concentration of centenarians, where the ratio is 50 per 100,000 people. By United States standards, Grandpa Bruce has been around much longer than most. The Centers for Disease Control recently reported that an American’s life expectancy has reached 78.5 years.

While that fabled fountain of youth can remain elusive, perhaps the local Home Instead Senior Care® office could help keep Grandpa Bruce on the move. A Home Instead CAREGiver℠ might provide the kind of personal touch and companionship that would motivate your grandfather to get up and go each day with support that includes meal preparation, light housekeeping and medication reminders.

CAREGivers often are seniors themselves who have just the right approach to working with other older adults.

For more information about Home Instead Senior Care®, contact Sharon Massafra at (203) 386-1151 or go to www.homeinstead.com/307. For more about living longer, check out http://www.nia.nih.gov/health/publication/can-we-prevent-aging.