They were born before the invention of the automobile and radio. The iceman delivered ice to cool the icebox by horse and buggy. Hazel “Buddy” Nilson and Dorrie Aber-Noyek have outlived all of their childhood friends, but they don’t feel old.
“Every year I'm a year older. I’m 103,” said Hazel Nilson.
“I stop and think sometimes you’re a nearly a 105. How could it be?” said Dorrie Aber-Noyek.
They’re called Super Agers and they are a growing phenomenon; people who live to be centurions.
“I've outlived everybody. All my college friends are gone. My church friends from when I was a kid are gone,” said Nilson. “They'd be my age but they are gone.”
So what’s the secret to their success? Researchers at University of Miami Miller School of Medicine say people who live to be over 100 have some characteristics in common.
“They often have a lifetime history of being mentally and physically active which continues into old age. In addition they typically have not had conditions such as cancer and heart disease very early in their lives,” said Dr. Philip Harvey with the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.
Both Dorrie Aber-Noyek and Hazel Nilson are very active.
Hazel a former Physical Education teacher attends exercise class two times a week.
She even went white water rafting at age 95.
Dorrie volunteers at Memorial Regional Hospital delivering mail through the labyrinth of corridors.
“A lot of these people have tendencies of being positive and optimistic outgoing. People who are reclusive often don't survive to 100,” said Harvey.
But if you ask the women for their secrets its good healthy genes, among other things.
“I look at the bright side of things rather than the bad side,” said Nilson.
Researchers studying these Super Agers are trying to unlock the genetic code.
“The issue is we don't understand what aging is really caused by but we know that there are hundreds if not 1000's of different genes involved in various aging processes,” said University of Miami Miller School of Medicine Dr. Claes Wahlestedet
“Everyday, I say how could you have gotten to this stage. And you really don't notice it because the years fly,” said Aber-Noyek.