< The Latest 2025-08-31T14:45:56+0000
The Pasadena Star-News | Sun 08/31 07:45am PST | Helen Dennis
Q. At age 86, I want to continue to live a long and healthy life. I have heard of the term “super agers.” How old are they, and is there anything we can learn from them? Thank you. W.N.
Many of us believe that getting older automatically means we are victims of cognitive decline. Indeed, there are some cognitive changes that come with age. We may occasionally forget a person’s name or where we placed our keys. It may take us a little longer to learn new information or to multitask. That’s considered normal.
But this doesn’t happen to all older adults. There is a special group called “super agers.” They are considered relatively rare with no known precise number. Dr. Emily Rogalski, a professor of neurology at the University of Chicago, reports that “far less than 10 percent of the people she sees are super agers,” according to a New York Times article .
The term was introduced in 2008 by researchers at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine , which has conducted a 25-year study of super agers. They define the term as “someone who is 80 years or older and still has the memory skills of a person 30 years younger .” The focus is on cognition.
Super agers experience physical changes that affect their cognitive abilities in positive ways. They experience brain shrinkage at half the annual rate of other older adults. The part of the brain that atrophies at a slower rate than average is associated with abstract thinking, creativity and judgment, according to UCLA Health .
This has nothing to do with IQ or educational level. Super agers and their contemporaries are similar in this respect. What differentiates them is that super agers might view problem-solving differently, according to Dr. Bradford Dickerson, a neurologist at Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts General Hospital, as quoted in the Harvard newsletter . He notes, “They may approach these tasks as a challenge they can succeed at, in contrast to typical older adults who may give up.”
Furthermore, when compared to other adults their age, superagers are better at remembering past events and a list of words. Northwestern researchers found that super agers could remember at least nine out of 15 words in a delayed-recall test, which is on par with individuals in their 50s and 60s. Lifestyle counts. And that’s good news.
Super agers share some commonalities about how they go about living their lives.
They have an active lifestyle. We know physical activity is important. It increases oxygen intake, strengthens the heart as well as strengthening other muscles, important in preventing falls. It also helps maintain an optimum weight. Even just exercising twice a week counts.
Super agers continue to challenge themselves. Mental activity is as important as physical activity . That might be taking up an instrument, learning a new sport, joining a book group or learning to knit. These all contribute to cognitive health.
They are social butterflies. Super agers are gregarious. Researchers at Northwestern University found that super agers reported having more satisfying, high-quality relationships compared to their cognitively average, same-age peers. Apparently, you don’t have to be the life of the party, just having those quality relationships helps slow cognitive decline.
Super agers are tenacious. The National Geographic reports that super agers live life on their own terms . That might mean having multiple romantic partners or volunteering in communities. They value autonomy and connection, according to neuropsychologist Tamar Gefen, a study author.
Superagers eat well. Many have diets that are rich in nutrients that fight inflammation and cell damage . These foods are rich in antioxidants, polyphenols and omega-3 fatty acids in foods such as berries, whole grains, fatty fish and more.
Super agers indulge. Superagers are not necessarily teetotalers; they don’t avoid alcohol. They enjoy an occasional glass of alcohol or a nightly nightcap. The key is moderation. Many are fitness buffs.
So, what have we learned?
Thank you, W. N., for your question and best wishes for that long and healthy life. Just as a reminder, know that kindness is everything.
Helen Dennis is a nationally recognized leader on issues of aging and the new retirement with academic, corporate and nonprofit experience. Contact Helen with your questions and comments at Helendenn@gmail.com . Visit Helen at HelenMdennis.com and follow her on facebook.com/SuccessfulAgingCommunity