Investigation of healthy living strategies in elderly who achieved to live long and healthy

OBJECTIVE: To determine the lifestyles, healthy living strategies and socio-cultural characteristics of elderly people who lived long and healthy. METHODS: This study was a cross-sectional study. This study was conducted on 472 elderly patients, aged 80 years and over, selected by random sampling method. The socio-demographic characteristics and daily living activities of the elderly were determined by face to face interview technique using the “Elderly Questionnaire” developed by the researchers in 2018. Chi-square test was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Based on the average age (84) of the elderly in the research group, it was seen that they were able to exceed the average life expectancy of their fathers (72) and mothers (73). It has been found that the participants live 11-12 years longer than their parents. It was also found that more than half (51.9%) of the elderly have the habit of walking regularly every day. It was determined that the elderly mostly consumed vegetables and fruits (88.5%), milk and dairy products and meat, respectively. CONCLUSION: The elderly stated that natural and healthy nutrition, working and staying away from stress in the top three places as the reason of their long and healthy life.