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Cuba: Secrets of a Long Life from Centuries
The Republic of Cuba... This island nation in the Caribbean is still haunted by the romance of the 1959 revolution. After the overthrow of the dictator Batista, the country received another unofficial name - Freedom Island.
For more than half a century, its residents have been living in conditions of socialism: free education, medicine and pension services. . .
Celia Biscay, 105
Celia Biscay, 105
105-year-old Celia Biscay retired in the early 70s of the last century. Most of her active life she worked as a maid. The last place of work is the mansion of a prominent figure of the Communist Party. Celia saw the first figures of the Cuban revolution not only on television.
The result of Celia’s work was a valuable gift from the state. She was given a two-bedroom apartment in the east of Havana. Despite the age of 105, this woman can hardly be called a homebody. Three times a week, Celia starts her day in this cozy park in the heart of the Cuban capital. Meeting at the fountain is not just a friendly meeting of those over 60. All these grandparents have one thing in common – a passionate desire not to grow old.
Cuba is obsessed with healthy old age. The 120-Year-Old Club was established on Liberty Island in 2004. This unique society was founded by Fidel Castro’s personal physician. Any Cuban can join the ranks of future centenarians, regardless of age. Only a few requirements need to be met. The first rule of the club is to be a caring person.
Members of the club of 120-year-olds are officially prohibited from smoking and drinking alcohol. The emphasis is on a positive attitude. The organizers of the movement do not want to see pessimists and skeptics among their colleagues.
Archeo Aguilerrá, 101
This grandfather doesn't need company for morning exercise. Without reminders or help, he does 15 squats a day. Then he goes on a walk through the nearby neighborhoods, where he has long had an unusual nickname - this brave old man is called the Eternal.
Archeo Aguilerrá was born on January 1, 1913. During his long life he changed several professions. In his youth, Archeo was seriously engaged in boxing.
The first work of ninth-grader Aguilera was the place of bouncers in a cabaret - a 100-year-old man from childhood was distinguished by heroic health. He continued to work in the office until he was 85. On retirement, Archeo resigned as head of the personnel department of the fishing cartel. The centenarian still does not tolerate silence and loneliness.
- I get up at seven in the morning, have breakfast at 7:30, go out on the porch, walk around the neighborhood, chat with friends. Then I go home and watch TV. I love football. Ready to talk about it for hours. Of course, sometimes I get bored. Then I go back to the street to talk to some pretty girl. Girls are the best cure for boredom.
Archeo spends his life in the house of his youngest daughter. It's hard to believe that this beautiful lady is already 70. His grandsons and great-grandchildren visit him at the earliest opportunity. But doing that now is quite difficult. The younger generations of the Aguilerr family now live in the United States. Young people usually leave the country.
Delia Calavero, 102
Her only son moved to Sweden in 2000. My husband died over 40 years ago. Therefore, evenings and weekends the old lady spends absolutely alone.
Delia Calavero is an indigenous harbor. Editor by profession, she is a true representative of the Cuban intelligentsia. The day after her 100th birthday, Delia went to a theatrical performance.
Today, Delia’s daily life is not just about domestic issues. Most of my life is spent in a special place. In this unusual institution, the centenarian is accompanied by a social worker.
There are no nursing homes in Cuba. They were replaced by so-called kindergartens for the elderly. The nearest one is a kilometer from Delia's house. Step-by-step accessibility is one of the basic principles of these institutions.
The first homes of grandparents appeared in Havana in the late 90s of the last century. The modern Cuban capital is covered by a network of 74 similar centers. The youngest participants in this program are 65 years old. There is no upper age limit. The only condition is that the elderly person should be healthy.
The main task of these centers is to prevent people from being alone with old age. Everyone who comes will have a busy schedule. It includes regular visits of district doctors and geriatric specialists. Four meals a day with a high content of vegetables and fruits, training memory and mental abilities, needlework classes. And this is not all the methods of combating aging that local gerontologists use.
Cuban geriatricians consider dancing a real exercise for the brain. The latest research confirms that regular exercise really makes us younger.
Moderate exercise spurs the birth of nerve cells in the brain. To explain this amazing fact, scientists can not yet. You can train your brain, fight dementia in other ways. For example, through intellectual games.
- I'm no dancer now. I'd rather go to the domino. I play everything: chess and checkers. But dominoes are my thing. I know my business here. In general, I am gambling and it is difficult to beat me, says Dalia Calavero.
Despite her extreme age, Delia managed to maintain an amazing clarity of thinking, cheerfulness of spirit and a craving for communication. Thanks to these qualities, the centenarian looks younger than his years.
A light outlook on life and optimism is common to many Cubans. In the international happiness index, Freedom Island consistently ranks high. Cuba is now on the 12th place among the happiest countries in the world. The leader is neighboring Costa Rica, another state with a high concentration of centenarians.
Vitality, physical activity, strong social ties. Each of these factors gives Cuban pensioners extra years of life.
Arsenio Palacio, 103
The experience of the project “Rules of Life of a Centenarian” shows that most centenarians have increased stress resistance. Cuba is no exception.
At the age of 21, Arsenio Palacio became the main breadwinner in the family. After his father’s death, he took care of his mother and nine younger brothers. This happened in 1932.
Viñales is a quiet place in the northwest of the country. Its first inhabitants were tobacco planters in 1878. Modern Viñales is part of the agricultural region, which produces almost 70% of all Cuban tobacco. Like most villagers, Arsenio grew raw materials for famous Cuban cigars from an early age.
In fact, for decades, he never smoked a cigar. A 103-year-old man remembered his only cigarette for life.
- I only smoked one cigarette. Ever since I was a kid. I got really kicked for it. My father kicked me. And I quit smoking forever. I hardly drink rum either. Well, maybe once a year for a birthday. You need to be calm, believe in the best and not sit idle. But the most important thing is to think, to think what you are doing, and then everything will work out. I still don't like sitting around. There's always something to do. I fold clothes, clean the house.
His mother died when he was under 30. Seven of the nine brothers passed away. Arsenio's only wife died in 1991. Despite severe upheavals, the old-timer demonstrates calm, prudence and mental balance.
Another characteristic feature of Cuban centenarians is autonomy. Even at an extreme age, they tend to take care of themselves.
Like other old-timers, Arsenio is under medical supervision. In addition to the district clinic, each Cuban home is monitored by a family doctor living next door. The schedule of these specialists is round the clock. Accessible medicine is the pride of Liberty Island. Of the 11 million Cubans, 800,000 work in the health care system.
Elvira Hernandez, 103
Señora Hernandez is a difficult Cuban. Her husband held an important position in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Due to the high position of the head of the family, Hernandez never experienced financial problems. The main vocation of the future long-lived was the care of household members. She's a mother of three. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren have travelled all over the world, from Canada to Poland.
- My life is about the people around me: my children, my grandchildren, my children’s spouses, their friends. Think about what it would mean to live if I were alone. I would definitely feel like a junkie or something.
Serious emotional overload bypassed the centenarian side. The main stress factor for her body was a bad habit common in Cuba. Elvira Hernandez smoked for 70 years. Despite the dangerous addiction, the woman maintained good health. There are no chronic diseases in her medical records.
Elvira Hernandez got rid of nicotine addiction at the insistence of doctors. For 13 years she has been leading a healthy lifestyle. And yet the main rule of his longevity grandmother considers mental health.
- No one should do anything wrong in life, help everyone who can be helped, those who need it, do not treat anyone badly, on the contrary, please those who are dear to you. You are young, have children, so that later there is someone to fight for and there is a desire to live, to see how they grow, to see how they rise and go forward. It's the most important thing in life.
Our scientific journey to Freedom Island has come to an end. It is time to sum up the results of the next expedition “Rules of life of a hundred-year-old man”.
According to the results of our trip, we can say that the most important thing is a positive attitude. Because ultimately it determines our physiological processes in the body. The next rule is to maintain physical activity. Regular preventive medical check-ups are equally important, which many people underestimate. The final rule is to build close relationships within and outside your family. It could be your neighbors or friends. The main thing is to avoid loneliness in old age. published
P.S. And remember, just changing our consumption – together we change the world!
Source: project.moya-planeta.ru/pravila_zhizni_stoletnego_cheloveka_kuba/
For more than half a century, its residents have been living in conditions of socialism: free education, medicine and pension services. . .
Celia Biscay, 105
Celia Biscay, 105
105-year-old Celia Biscay retired in the early 70s of the last century. Most of her active life she worked as a maid. The last place of work is the mansion of a prominent figure of the Communist Party. Celia saw the first figures of the Cuban revolution not only on television.
The result of Celia’s work was a valuable gift from the state. She was given a two-bedroom apartment in the east of Havana. Despite the age of 105, this woman can hardly be called a homebody. Three times a week, Celia starts her day in this cozy park in the heart of the Cuban capital. Meeting at the fountain is not just a friendly meeting of those over 60. All these grandparents have one thing in common – a passionate desire not to grow old.
Cuba is obsessed with healthy old age. The 120-Year-Old Club was established on Liberty Island in 2004. This unique society was founded by Fidel Castro’s personal physician. Any Cuban can join the ranks of future centenarians, regardless of age. Only a few requirements need to be met. The first rule of the club is to be a caring person.
Members of the club of 120-year-olds are officially prohibited from smoking and drinking alcohol. The emphasis is on a positive attitude. The organizers of the movement do not want to see pessimists and skeptics among their colleagues.
Archeo Aguilerrá, 101
This grandfather doesn't need company for morning exercise. Without reminders or help, he does 15 squats a day. Then he goes on a walk through the nearby neighborhoods, where he has long had an unusual nickname - this brave old man is called the Eternal.
Archeo Aguilerrá was born on January 1, 1913. During his long life he changed several professions. In his youth, Archeo was seriously engaged in boxing.
The first work of ninth-grader Aguilera was the place of bouncers in a cabaret - a 100-year-old man from childhood was distinguished by heroic health. He continued to work in the office until he was 85. On retirement, Archeo resigned as head of the personnel department of the fishing cartel. The centenarian still does not tolerate silence and loneliness.
- I get up at seven in the morning, have breakfast at 7:30, go out on the porch, walk around the neighborhood, chat with friends. Then I go home and watch TV. I love football. Ready to talk about it for hours. Of course, sometimes I get bored. Then I go back to the street to talk to some pretty girl. Girls are the best cure for boredom.
Archeo spends his life in the house of his youngest daughter. It's hard to believe that this beautiful lady is already 70. His grandsons and great-grandchildren visit him at the earliest opportunity. But doing that now is quite difficult. The younger generations of the Aguilerr family now live in the United States. Young people usually leave the country.
Delia Calavero, 102
Her only son moved to Sweden in 2000. My husband died over 40 years ago. Therefore, evenings and weekends the old lady spends absolutely alone.
Delia Calavero is an indigenous harbor. Editor by profession, she is a true representative of the Cuban intelligentsia. The day after her 100th birthday, Delia went to a theatrical performance.
Today, Delia’s daily life is not just about domestic issues. Most of my life is spent in a special place. In this unusual institution, the centenarian is accompanied by a social worker.
There are no nursing homes in Cuba. They were replaced by so-called kindergartens for the elderly. The nearest one is a kilometer from Delia's house. Step-by-step accessibility is one of the basic principles of these institutions.
The first homes of grandparents appeared in Havana in the late 90s of the last century. The modern Cuban capital is covered by a network of 74 similar centers. The youngest participants in this program are 65 years old. There is no upper age limit. The only condition is that the elderly person should be healthy.
The main task of these centers is to prevent people from being alone with old age. Everyone who comes will have a busy schedule. It includes regular visits of district doctors and geriatric specialists. Four meals a day with a high content of vegetables and fruits, training memory and mental abilities, needlework classes. And this is not all the methods of combating aging that local gerontologists use.
Cuban geriatricians consider dancing a real exercise for the brain. The latest research confirms that regular exercise really makes us younger.
Moderate exercise spurs the birth of nerve cells in the brain. To explain this amazing fact, scientists can not yet. You can train your brain, fight dementia in other ways. For example, through intellectual games.
- I'm no dancer now. I'd rather go to the domino. I play everything: chess and checkers. But dominoes are my thing. I know my business here. In general, I am gambling and it is difficult to beat me, says Dalia Calavero.
Despite her extreme age, Delia managed to maintain an amazing clarity of thinking, cheerfulness of spirit and a craving for communication. Thanks to these qualities, the centenarian looks younger than his years.
A light outlook on life and optimism is common to many Cubans. In the international happiness index, Freedom Island consistently ranks high. Cuba is now on the 12th place among the happiest countries in the world. The leader is neighboring Costa Rica, another state with a high concentration of centenarians.
Vitality, physical activity, strong social ties. Each of these factors gives Cuban pensioners extra years of life.
Arsenio Palacio, 103
The experience of the project “Rules of Life of a Centenarian” shows that most centenarians have increased stress resistance. Cuba is no exception.
At the age of 21, Arsenio Palacio became the main breadwinner in the family. After his father’s death, he took care of his mother and nine younger brothers. This happened in 1932.
Viñales is a quiet place in the northwest of the country. Its first inhabitants were tobacco planters in 1878. Modern Viñales is part of the agricultural region, which produces almost 70% of all Cuban tobacco. Like most villagers, Arsenio grew raw materials for famous Cuban cigars from an early age.
In fact, for decades, he never smoked a cigar. A 103-year-old man remembered his only cigarette for life.
- I only smoked one cigarette. Ever since I was a kid. I got really kicked for it. My father kicked me. And I quit smoking forever. I hardly drink rum either. Well, maybe once a year for a birthday. You need to be calm, believe in the best and not sit idle. But the most important thing is to think, to think what you are doing, and then everything will work out. I still don't like sitting around. There's always something to do. I fold clothes, clean the house.
His mother died when he was under 30. Seven of the nine brothers passed away. Arsenio's only wife died in 1991. Despite severe upheavals, the old-timer demonstrates calm, prudence and mental balance.
Another characteristic feature of Cuban centenarians is autonomy. Even at an extreme age, they tend to take care of themselves.
Like other old-timers, Arsenio is under medical supervision. In addition to the district clinic, each Cuban home is monitored by a family doctor living next door. The schedule of these specialists is round the clock. Accessible medicine is the pride of Liberty Island. Of the 11 million Cubans, 800,000 work in the health care system.
Elvira Hernandez, 103
Señora Hernandez is a difficult Cuban. Her husband held an important position in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Due to the high position of the head of the family, Hernandez never experienced financial problems. The main vocation of the future long-lived was the care of household members. She's a mother of three. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren have travelled all over the world, from Canada to Poland.
- My life is about the people around me: my children, my grandchildren, my children’s spouses, their friends. Think about what it would mean to live if I were alone. I would definitely feel like a junkie or something.
Serious emotional overload bypassed the centenarian side. The main stress factor for her body was a bad habit common in Cuba. Elvira Hernandez smoked for 70 years. Despite the dangerous addiction, the woman maintained good health. There are no chronic diseases in her medical records.
Elvira Hernandez got rid of nicotine addiction at the insistence of doctors. For 13 years she has been leading a healthy lifestyle. And yet the main rule of his longevity grandmother considers mental health.
- No one should do anything wrong in life, help everyone who can be helped, those who need it, do not treat anyone badly, on the contrary, please those who are dear to you. You are young, have children, so that later there is someone to fight for and there is a desire to live, to see how they grow, to see how they rise and go forward. It's the most important thing in life.
Our scientific journey to Freedom Island has come to an end. It is time to sum up the results of the next expedition “Rules of life of a hundred-year-old man”.
According to the results of our trip, we can say that the most important thing is a positive attitude. Because ultimately it determines our physiological processes in the body. The next rule is to maintain physical activity. Regular preventive medical check-ups are equally important, which many people underestimate. The final rule is to build close relationships within and outside your family. It could be your neighbors or friends. The main thing is to avoid loneliness in old age. published
P.S. And remember, just changing our consumption – together we change the world!
Source: project.moya-planeta.ru/pravila_zhizni_stoletnego_cheloveka_kuba/
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