What can we do to avoid ailments of old age that plagued our parents and grandparents?

My parents and grandparents did not reach old age. Cancer got them first. So many different types of cancer, can you guard against all? In my wider family, brother and aunt, dementia got them. Old age doesn’t affect my family apart from that.

My dad died at almost 92, after a brief illness of a sudden-onset prostate cancer. Prior to that, he enjoyed robust good health. He took no medications and had no conditions. The doctors couldn't believe his doctors notes were so meagre!

My mum is 91 this year and takes tablets for blood pressure. She is not very mobile due to arthritis but otherwise has no illnesses.

They just live/d a normal life, did nothing to excess but enjoyed the things they did do.

Oh, and my dad never worried about a thing in his life!

My mum died at 58, DH's parents died at 52 and 57. My dad lived the longest, to 69 and he was a chain smoking alcoholic!

Here is a list of steps you can take to prevent or slow the progression of macular degeneration, I found online:-

Don't smoke.
Eat plenty of dark, leafy green vegetables, such as raw spinach.
Eat fruit and nuts daily.
Limit your intake of refined carbohydrates (high-glycemic index foods).
Keep your blood pressure and cholesterol under control.
Wear sunglasses outdoors to block UV and blue light that may cause eye damage.
Have regular eye exams.
Eat fish or take a fish oil supplement.
Exercise regularly, and maintain a healthy weight.

I am very lucky with my genes, but I think I already have more problems now than my mother who is nearly 99. My maternal grandmother had very bad rheumatism, but my mother doesn't have it and I have no signs so far.

My father had back problems but this was an occupational hazard.

The only thing I need to prevent is getting old itself.

And don’t forget the whisky..

“Britain's oldest person is celebrated her 112th birthday yesterday and revealed the secret to her long life is a dram of WHISKY every day for the last six decades.

Originally from Devon Grace Jones, known to her friends as "Amazing Grace", reached the landmark age after the death of Olive Evelyn Boar, from Felixstowe, Suffolk, in August (2018) at the age of 113.

And, by coincidence, she also takes the title from another Grace Jones, a South Londoner, born 1899, who also died at the age of 113, in November 2013.

The new record holder however puts her longevity is down to a nightcap of Famous Grouse single malt whisky every evening for the last 62 years.

Mrs Jones, a Liverpudlian by birth, was born on September 16, 1906 – only five years after the death of Queen Victoria.

She lived in Sidmouth, Devon before moving to relocate with her family in Worcestershire in 2005.

She has lived through 26 prime ministers and survived both world wars.”

Grace Jones is (and looks) amazing.

My aunt died in her eighties and swore by a tot of whisky every night. She had pneumonia in her fifties and it was what the doctor recommended then! What killed her was smoking, or she might have managed her hundred.

Cataracts do not count, they are so quick and easy to deal with. One of DS's friend had them in his 40s, mine both needed doing before 65.

I am another who comes from a healthy long lived family. DF was medication free until he was nearly 80 then needed pills for high blood pressure. He lived until 92, independent, driving and an active member of the committees of three village groups.

DM developed atrial fibrillation around 80, after one of her DDs died and died in her sleep at 85, otherwise still busy and active. Nine of my DFs eleven siblings lived to at least 80, Seven got to very late 80s, Three into their 90s. Only one case of dementia. and one case of disabling arthritis All the others were like DF, mentally and physically active to the end.

I am 75 and on no medication, fit in mind and body and last saw my GP over a year ago to get my carpal tunnel syndrome dealt with. Fingers crossed, I am doing OK at present.

My gran lived to be 99 (with very little ill health throughout her life) my poor mum (her daughter) only lived to her early 70's until she was taken by the dreaded C and kidney failure. She never drank alcohol or smoked in her entire life.

My mum never smoked or touched alcohol either gilly but died of a heart attack at 58. Stress was her killer, mainly caused by my dad.

I don't mean to sound melodramatic KatyK but I think stress will see DH and I off too. It certainly caused DH's recent stroke.

My second husband died of a heart attack very young. He was very fit, played sport, barely drank and never smoked. I honestly don't think there's anything much any of us can do. You will either live a long life or you won't.

I agree gilly Stress will see me off too. Good wishes to you and your DH.

I'm still wondering how to avoid a dowager's hump.

Mum was 96 when she died but had so many things wrong with her it would have been better if she'd popped off at 89 when she had a stroke.

Isn’t a dowager’s hump caused by osteoporosis? And too much whisky?

Ha Ha. That'll be Mum then.

Can't stand the stuff.

my mother had osteoporosis ,its a hellish condition .She was very weight conscious all her life and cut out all sorts of foods that would have been beneficial to her .She had breathing issues because of a long going "chest" condition,she's had sunray treatment for it from she was 4 in the mid 20's and it plagued her all her life.
I'm on HRT that should stop the osteoporosis and I haven't any other major health problems .A herniated disc at the moment but I'm working on getting that sorted .My dad died just before he was 70 ,,heart attack.He was a smoker ,I've never even tried a cigarette so hopefully that will stand me in good stead.

Nothing can guarantee you a long life, but eating sensibly, keeping active and keeping your weight down, do help.

There will always be exceptions, but exceptions do not prove that the overall advice was wrong. Most of those who live to advanced ages in good health have followed them.

For me its all the things mentioned above but also to have a pupose to every day, to stay engaged with life, people, politucs etc, to have fun as often as possible, avoid negative influences, engage the brain and get the focus off self and help others.