Approaching the American age of centenarians

It’s long been believed that the average human life expectancy is very close to 85 years old, but new research from Duke University says that may be an antiquated figure.

James Vaupel a research professor at Duke University and the director of its Population, Policy, Aging and Research Center believes that that number is closer to 100 and has been for some time. In this month’s issue of Nature magazine, he explains his research in detail.

We also turn to Neenah Ellis, author, documentarian and general manager of Public Radio Station WYSO in Yellow Springs, Ohio. Neenah is the author of “If I Live to be 100: Lessons from Centenarians,” and she shares her insights and thoughts on the increasing number of active and elderly Americans.

Along with the folks at the National Centenarian Awareness Project, a non-profit dedicated to the education of better living through aging, we hear voices of the elderly who paint a new picture on geriatric social life. Listen to some of these voices below:

105-year-old Dr. Will Clark on health (in photo with Lois Clark).

102-year-old Elsa Hoffman offers tips for growing older.

101-year-old Leon Depres on the most significant change in his a lifetime.

Elsa Hoffman on reaching 102 years old.