Centenarians cite whiskey and family ties while researcher flags grip strength

Three centenarians describe personal perspectives on longevity: 107-year-old Dorothy Creighton enjoys bacon and eggs and jelly babies and values family; Welsh WWII veteran Owen Filer enjoys fish and chips and credits lifelong work and “living properly”; and 101-year-old Kenneth Rehm emphasizes happiness, family, staying active and a positive outlook. Their accounts are anecdotes, not evidence that particular foods or habits guarantee a long life. Healthcare researcher Neal Shah says brisk natural walking, grip strength and the ability to rise from a chair without using one’s hands can indicate strength, balance and health in older adults.