Aging gracefully: a retrospective analysis of functional status in Okinawan centenarians.
OBJECTIVE
This study retrospectively explored the late-life functional status of Okinawan centenarians.


METHODS
Activities of daily living were measured retrospectively at five time points (10, 5, 3, and 1 year prior and present) for 22 centenarians in relation to seven physical, two sensory, and two cognitive functions using the Inoue Index.


RESULTS
In all, 82% of individuals were still functioning independently at a mean age of 92 years and almost two-thirds were still functioning independently at a mean age of 97 years.


CONCLUSIONS
Preliminary analyses suggest high functional status in Okinawan centenarians throughout their 90 s. The genetic and environmental factors contributing to this successful aging phenomenon deserve further investigation.
Willcox
D Craig
DC
College of Nursing, Okinawa Prefectural University, Okinawa, Japan. willcox@okinawa-nurs.ac.jp
Willcox
Bradley J
BJ
Shimajiri
Sanae
S
Kurechi
Sayuri
S
Suzuki
Makoto
M
D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology*; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology*; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D008297:Male; D010808:Physical Examination / Q000379:methods; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors