People Age 90+ Doing Well in Our Community
@DeborahDiane (40293)
Laguna Woods, California
November 23, 2020 3:55pm CST
If you watch the television show "60 Minutes," you may have seen the stories they have done a few times on the 90+ Study at the University of California in Irvine.
The research they are doing is taking place in our retirement community, Laguna Woods Village. Our community has been around about 55 years, and has approximately 18,000 residents, ranging in age from their early 50s to over age 100. There is no assisted living in our community, so everyone here lives independently on their own, or in a few cases, they hire their own caregivers to help them during the last few years of their lives. The community is built around two golf courses, and most people here are very active taking exercise classes (outdoors now because of Covid), playing golf or tennis, swimming, dancing and doing other activities.
The UCI research started about 40 years ago, when many of the people they studied were in their 50s. The UCI researchers have followed these people for decades to find what they ate, drank and how much exercise they got. They have done brain scans and autopsies on their brains. They have learned a lot about aging and dementia from their research and hope it will help them find a cure in the future.
Even though I am just 71, I have signed up to participate in the research, too, as have several of my friends. Right now, I just take tests on my computer every 3 months and they are watching to see if there are any changes in my memory. When I get older, the testing will become more intensive.
If you missed the episodes, they can be found on YouTube.
The first one:
The second one:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H45kUHfQYdE
There are other episodes about it, too. Just search for: 60 Minutes 90+ study.
The head researcher is named Claudia Kawas, and she has many YouTube videos you can watch and find out what she has learned from her research.
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16 people like this
16 responses
@changjiangzhibin89 (16763)
• China
24 Nov 20
Nice to see you ! It is great you have signed up to participate in this research on how to promote longevity !
4 people like this
@changjiangzhibin89 (16763)
• China
25 Nov 20
@DeborahDiane I wish you good health and a long life !
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40293)
• Laguna Woods, California
25 Nov 20
@changjiangzhibin89 - Thank you! Wishing the same for you! 
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40293)
• Laguna Woods, California
24 Nov 20
Good to see you, too! I think we all want to live a long, health life, if we can!
1 person likes this
@much2say (55606)
• Los Angeles, California
23 Nov 20
I saw bits and pieces of this the other night (I think) . . . but I didn't realize they had been doing the research there! I will tell my husband - he was the one really watching this as there is alzheimers and dementia in his family.
4 people like this
@DeborahDiane (40293)
• Laguna Woods, California
24 Nov 20
@much2say - The research they are doing is very interesting, because it has gone on for so long. Even though I live here, it is interesting to see what they are learning from the people who have participated in the research over the years! Tell your husband to look up Dr. Claudia Kawas on YouTube. She is the head researcher, and there are a number of videos of her explaining their research. Every time I watch one of the videos, I learn something new!
@kaylachan (69712)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
23 Nov 20
Well, people are living longer and longer. I hope my husband is one of them. He's 60, now. and surprisingly pretty healthy despite being a drinker and a smoker.
3 people like this
@DeborahDiane (40293)
• Laguna Woods, California
24 Nov 20
@kaylachan - I am glad your husband is healthy and hope he stays that way. My husband was extremely healthy until his mid-60s, when he developed a series of illnesses. At age 75, he is still alive, but the illnesses have certainly taken their toll.
1 person likes this
@kaylachan (69712)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
24 Nov 20
Oh, I know how that goes. My mom lived to be 79, and lived with congestive heart failure for as long as I could remember. My husband's biggest problem is asthma. (mostly from all the smoking over the years), but that's the most of it.@DeborahDiane
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40293)
• Laguna Woods, California
25 Nov 20
@kaylachan - I'm 71, so people who die in their 70s seems very young to me, now! 
I hope your husband lives a long time. 
I hope your husband lives a long time. 
@LadyDuck (471500)
• Switzerland
25 Nov 20
@DeborahDiane I noticed that all people I know who are still active in their late 80's do a lot better than those in the nursery homes. I think that a too easy life, no worries, no bills to pay, no cooking and cleaning is not good for our brain.
My husband was worried because he often cannot remember things... he was the same 50 years ago!
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40293)
• Laguna Woods, California
25 Nov 20
@LadyDuck - Every time we talk about our husbands, they could be brothers! My husband has also been forgetful for 50 years! I am always helping him remember to go to doctor appointments, or telling him where to find his eyeglasses and his car keys!
I agree that it is important to live an active life. I think we are much more likely to age better if we stay active and need to take care of our own responsibilities.
I am always helping him remember to go to doctor appointments, or telling him where to find his eyeglasses and his car keys!
I agree that it is important to live an active life. I think we are much more likely to age better if we stay active and need to take care of our own responsibilities.@DeborahDiane (40293)
• Laguna Woods, California
24 Nov 20
The research they have done at the University of California in Irvine has been interesting. They have learned that some people do well, and do not lose their memories, despite having all the problems inside their brain that indicate they should have Alzheimers. They have learned about new forms of dementia. I am glad I am participating in their studies, even in a minimal way right now. It has been interesting watching the programs on "60 Minutes" to find out more about what they have learned.
I can understand why all this would interest your husband. None of us want to end our lives with dementia. I hope they find a cure for these problems over the next 20 years.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29413)
• Eugene, Oregon
11 Dec 20
That is really interesting research. I will look her up.
3 people like this
@Tampa_girl7 (50250)
• United States
11 Dec 20
Haven’t seen you here in ages. How are you and Anne ?
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40293)
• Laguna Woods, California
11 Dec 20
@Tampa_girl7 - Good to see you around, too, Marie!
@DeborahDiane (40293)
• Laguna Woods, California
11 Dec 20
@JamesHxstatic - Hi James! I am rarely on here, but I thought this was some interesting information that others would like to know about, especially since "60 Minutes" has covered this project several times. I was happy when I was able to join the UCI project. I hope I never develop dementia, but who knows in 10 or 15 years? I would like to know I'm getting the most cutting-age help available at the time.
@DeborahDiane (40293)
• Laguna Woods, California
24 Nov 20
Thank you! We have enjoyed living here for the past 16 years. I enjoy seeing it featured during the research shown on "60 Minutes," too.
1 person likes this
@crossbones27 (49452)
• Mojave, California
23 Dec 20
I do not think you would let me in your community, haha. Neat update and yeah if we can do anything right people can get past the hardships. Problem is we live in a fake society now. Which I think yourself called out some months ago, so go good to see you and thanks.
1 person likes this
@crossbones27 (49452)
• Mojave, California
23 Dec 20
@DeborahDiane Laguna woods, is that like the out back of Laguna Beach, I did not know California had woods outside the mountains.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40293)
• Laguna Woods, California
23 Dec 20
@crossbones27 - It is a pretty diverse community, so you probably could get in! Our country is certainly crazy right now, though. Between the pandemic, politics, and everything else, I'm kind of happy I have a reason to just stay home and avoid other people right now. It's good to see you are still here, too!
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40293)
• Laguna Woods, California
24 Dec 20
@crossbones27 - Ha ha! Laguna Woods Village is a retirement community on the inland side of Laguna Beach. When it was developed in the 1960's, they planted 35,000 trees, so we have many large hardwood and fruit trees all over the community ... lemons, oranges, grapefruit, and other fruits. We have parks within the community, with lots of pretty, tree shaded paths. We even have horseback riding trails. It is a very pleasant retirement community of 18,000 people from all over the nation and the world. So, I guess you are right. We are the Out Back of Laguna Beach!
1 person likes this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
22 Dec 20
@DeborahDiane Oh I'm so sorry about your husband being in the hospital, and even sorrier that you can't be with him. That must be awful for you both.
I'm actually doing very well, my son and daughter visit regularly - they are allowed because I am 81 and 'vulnerable'. We will all be together at Christmas - we are allowed 3 households.
I also have a paying guest - he's been here nearly three months - got stuck here due to lockdown and can't go anywhere else at the moment. He's very pleasant and he's out all day working anyway.
I really hope you husband recovers and can come home to you. Sending sympathetic thoughts to you. Good luck.
I'm actually doing very well, my son and daughter visit regularly - they are allowed because I am 81 and 'vulnerable'. We will all be together at Christmas - we are allowed 3 households.
I also have a paying guest - he's been here nearly three months - got stuck here due to lockdown and can't go anywhere else at the moment. He's very pleasant and he's out all day working anyway.
I really hope you husband recovers and can come home to you. Sending sympathetic thoughts to you. Good luck.1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40293)
• Laguna Woods, California
22 Dec 20
@jaboUK - I am so glad to hear from you, too! Right now, my husband is in the hospital. They believe he might be having a heart attack. I cannot be at the hospital with him, because of Covid, so I am home doing MyLot, waiting to hear from him or the doctor. This is such a crazy time for someone to be sick, whether it is Covid or something else. I hope he will be OK. It is hard to know what is going on.
I have been thinking about you, too. I know you lost your husband, and I wondered how you are doing. Are you alone, or do you have a family member you can see? I hope you are doing OK during this terrible pandemic!
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40293)
• Laguna Woods, California
22 Dec 20
@jaboUK - Thank you so much, Janet! My husband was able to come home last night. They think he was having an allergic reaction to an antibiotic he was on because of some dental work. He is now taking an antihistamine, and I hope that helps him.
I'm so glad you are doing well, that you can see your son and daughter regularly, and that you have a paying guest. It is good for people to be able to have others around. It is not good to be alone all the time. I feel sorry for people right now who live alone, do not work, and are afraid or unable to leave their homes. It must be very lonely for them.
Hope you have a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (106271)
• Marion, Ohio
13 Apr 21
I would sign up to if they were doing it here. That is what helps improve things for everyone.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40293)
• Laguna Woods, California
13 Apr 21
@wolfgirl569 - It has been an interesting project to follow. It is paused right now, because the researchers are not currently meeting with patients because of Covid. However, I expect that to change by this fall, and I am looking forward to participating in the program more often, then. Right now, I just take a few little screening tests online every three months, but I am glad they are still doing that.
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39509)
• United States
25 Nov 20
keepin' active 'tis very key to ones well-bein', particularly 's we get a bit more 'well seasoned'. glad ya joined the study, hon.
2 people like this
@crazyhorseladycx (39509)
• United States
25 Nov 20
@DeborahDiane great to see ya, too! i came back a few months 'go, i think? 'tis nice to read that'cher 'nvolved'n such, i'll keep fingers crossed ya don't get such. thankfully they're learnin' more'n more'n the cause, earlier diagnosis'n intervention helpful.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40293)
• Laguna Woods, California
27 Nov 20
@crazyhorseladycx - I hope they keep learning more about demenia and Alzheimer's Disease, too. I think that most of us do not want to end up with severe dementia. My mother was only about 10 years older than me when she developed severe dementia. I hope I can avoid the same fate.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40293)
• Laguna Woods, California
25 Nov 20
@crazyhorseladycx - Good to see you are still around, too. I don't do much here anymore, but I thought this study was very interesting. I have enjoyed being part of it. I hope it help prevent me from getting dementia in my 80s, like my mother did.
1 person likes this
@KristenH (33386)
• Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio
25 Nov 20
@DeborahDiane That just blows my mind.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40293)
• Laguna Woods, California
24 Nov 20
@KristenH - What is really interesting is how much they have learned about dementia by studying people who have lived here for 35 or 40 years. They have learned a lot!
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40293)
• Laguna Woods, California
13 Dec 20
@DianneN - I hope that my cognitive ability never starts to decline and I can think as clearly at 91 as I do at 71. However, I thought being in this study would be a good way to have professionals monitor me and offer me cutting edge brain help, if I ever need it!
1 person likes this
@JWMILLER (3275)
• Westmoreland, Tennessee
27 Jan 21
Really interesting. Health studies have shown that exercising helps good health continue. No exercise brings destruction of health.
@DeborahDiane (40293)
• Laguna Woods, California
27 Jan 21
@JWMILLER - Yes, it is so important to get exercise, eat right, and see our doctors regularly for testing. Doing these things can extend both the length of our lives and the quality of our lives!
@oahuwriter (26777)
• United States
18 Feb 21
Interesting. Your neighborhood will contribute a lot for many. Thank you.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40293)
• Laguna Woods, California
19 Feb 21
@oahuwriter - It is really important to keep our brains in good shape. There are some herbs that can help keep us sharp. Did you know that the silica in Fiji Water removes the toxins from hard metals like aluminum from our brains? It is also important to get exercise, eat a healthy, plant-based diet, and keep your mind involved in the real world, whatever that means for you. Good luck keeping your brain healthy!
1 person likes this
@oahuwriter (26777)
• United States
18 Feb 21
@DeborahDiane
Me too. I've been reading on how to prevent dementia & alzhhimers disease, with herbs. Lots of information on internet.
1 person likes this
@oahuwriter (26777)
• United States
19 Feb 21
@DeborahDiane
Say, thanks for the tips. I definitely will keep healthier in every way, though I might indulge in pastries every once in a while.
1 person likes this
@Tampa_girl7 (50250)
• United States
11 Dec 20
It’s nice to see you here. I hope that you and your husband are well.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40293)
• Laguna Woods, California
11 Dec 20
@Tamp_girl7 - Good to see you, too. I rarely do much on MyLot anymore, but I thought this was a topic that might interest people, especially since "60 Minutes" has covered it. However, I think of people often and wonder how everyone is doing. My husband and I are staying home 99% of the time and staying safe. We are both doing well, despite my husband's health problems, and we stay busy on Zoom! LOL Hope you are well, too!
@JWMILLER (3275)
• Westmoreland, Tennessee
30 Jan 21
Really interesting. Last info l saw said exercise is absolutely necessary for older good health.
@DeborahDiane (40293)
• Laguna Woods, California
30 Jan 21
@JWMILLER - Yes, physical exercise, a healthy diet with lots of fruits and vegetables, and some socializing for mental and physical stimulation are all important for good physical and mental health as you get older.
