THURSDAY, Aug. 10 (HealthDay News) -- A majority of Americans who are older than 99 report being satisfied with their life choices, and more attribute their longevity to spirituality and faith than genes or medical care, according to a survey by the Evercare unit of UnitedHealth Group.
The provider of health plans to the elderly conducted telephone interviews with 100 people -- 66 women and 34 men -- who were at least 99 years old, including two-thirds between the ages of 100 and 104.
Sixty-one percent indicated they did everything they wanted in their lives, and 78 percent said there was nothing in the past they would have done less, although 13 percent would have traveled more and 9 percent would have worked less. Twenty-three percent cited faith as the reason for living long, compared with only 3 percent who attributed longevity to genes or medical care. Thirty percent said raising a family was their greatest achievement, while 39 percent said the best time of their lives was in their 20s or 30s. More than half had thought about their own death, and 61 percent had prepared a living will.
"Centenarians are the fastest-growing segment of the American population," said Dr. John Mach, Evercare's CEO. "This survey will help deepen our understanding of what is most important to centenarians."
