Centenarians cite whiskey and family ties while researcher flags grip strength

Two centenarians described different ingredients in a long life: Ruby, who celebrated her 100th birthday in England, offered the lighthearted advice to behave, eat well and perhaps have a whiskey, while 101-year-old New Yorker Kenneth Rehm emphasized happiness, love, compromise and close family relationships. Rehm, a Navy veteran and former comptroller, also said staying active and engaged helped shape his outlook. Separately, healthcare researcher Neal Shah pointed to brisk natural walking, grip strength, balance and the ability to stand from a chair without using one’s hands as useful signs of health and longevity in older adults, noting that strength-related risk factors can be improved.