The wellspring of advice on how to be healthier and live longer will never run dry. Tips range from getting enough exercise to eating a plant-based diet. One common guiding principle encourages us to develop healthy, lifelong friendships.
To get this much-needed wisdom from older Americans, Pew Research Center asked 2,582 Americans ages 65 and older key questions. “Based on your own experience, what advice would you give young people to prepare for old age?”
“Respondents answered this question in their own words. Responses were then coded into up to three categories per person based on the themes they mentioned,” the report states.
The topic most older Americans gave advice on was health. Participants shared tips on how to eat, how often to exercise, the importance of staying up to date with medical appointments, and more.
Centenarians interviewed by CNBC Make It in the past emphasized the importance of eating a plant-based diet that focuses on whole foods like fruits and vegetables. Many healthy adults over the age of 90 also say that walking and moving as often as possible is important for longevity.
Malcolm Eidelson told Make It in 2023, at the age of 94, “I try to walk every day without making excuses.” “I’m looking forward to it. A lot of times I’m a little down, so I said, ‘Let’s go outside and walk,’ and it made me feel so much better.”
Another important factor for seniors to emphasize was finances. “Many seniors simply emphasized the need to save, while others elaborated more on their investment strategies,” the report said.
Here’s a complete list of themes that stood out in geriatric advice from older Americans:
Health (49%)Economics (37%)Thinking/View of Life (24%)Human Relations (11%)Activity (8%)Work (8%)Faith/Religion (7%)
One of the top three topics was also having the right mindset and outlook on life. Nearly a quarter of older adults surveyed said younger people practice gratitude and enjoy life as much as possible.
When asked what her secret to living a long and happy life was, Roslyn Menaker told the Guardian: “I wear a beautiful hat and walk every day. I’m in a wheelchair now.” The magazine interviewed her in 2023 when she was 103 years old.
“What else is important?” Menaker added. “Happiness, joy, gratitude. Positive thinking. Kindness and generosity. Try not to worry.”
Want to level up your AI skills? Sign up for CNBC Make It’s new online course, “How to use AI to better communicate at work by Smarter by CNBC Make It.” Get specific prompts to optimize your emails, notes, and presentations for tone, context, and audience.
Plus, sign up for the CNBC Make It newsletter for tips and tricks to succeed at work, money, and life, and request to join our exclusive community on LinkedIn to connect with experts and colleagues.
