How we feel about ourselves and our ability to adapt to an accumulation of challenging life experiences may be as important — or more important — than health factors in determining if we survive to be 100 years old, according to research from the University of Georgia.

The research used data collected as part of the Georgia Centenarian Study, one of only two centenarian studies in the country, to measure psychological and social factors in addition to genetics and health of so-called expert survivors. It is published in the current edition of the journal Current Gerontology and Geriatrics Research.

Two hundred forty-four people age100 years or older were studied between 2001 and 2009. The research found that critical life events and personal history, along with how people adapt to stressful situations and cope with them are crucial to explaining successful aging.

What is happening to you matters, but more importantly, it is your perception of what is happening to you that is really important for your individual health.

A majority of past research on the oldest of the old focused on health factors, but the researchers found that centenarians’ feelings about their own health, well-being and support systems, rather than measures such as blood pressure and blood sugar are stronger predictors of survival.

Personality also determined how well the centenarians reacted to life stress and change, and therefore whether they were as happy in their old age as they were when young. Healthy 100-year-olds had personalities described as open and conscientious. Neurotic personalities tended to be less healthy, the study found.

An individual confronted with a stressful situation can either find a quick emotional solution or ruminate on the problem. One is very destructive in terms of general well-being and the other is very adaptive.

Decrease in Physical Activity Accelerates Health Decline

Other research drawing from the Georgia Centenarian Study compared physical function of the elderly living in the community with those living in retirement facilities and found that physical activity decreased by approximately one-third when community residents moved to retirement facilities. By understanding physical decline in functioning, caregivers can help maintain a high quality of life for the centenarian with appropriate support.

Although still rare, centenarians are a growing segment of the population. There were an estimated 50,454 in 2000, but the number is expected to rise to more than 800,000 by 2050, making accurate information about their well-being increasingly important.

One phenomenon that occurs all over the world is that women live longer than men. In industrialized countries such as the U.S., France and Japan, five to six women reach 100 years for every man who does. Only Sardinia has a one-to-one ratio. ­At the opposite extreme, 13 South Korean women live to be 100 for every man. Let’s stay active together. Your always Welcome at the Senior Center.

Upcoming Events

Monday: Blood pressure check, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.; cards, 12:30 p.m.

Tuesday: Get up and Get started Exercise with Evie, 9 a.m.; Cards and Duplicate Bridge, 12:30 p.m.

Wednesday: Wood Carving Club, 8:30 a.m.; Tai Chi classes, 9:30 a.m. Pinochle and Cribbage Tournament; Duplicate Bridge, 12:30 p.m.; Stitching Bee’s. Bring your handy work, 1 p.m.; open chess, 1 p.m.

Thursday: Get up and Get started Exercise with Evie 9 a.m.; Eye clinic, 11:30 a.m.; cards, 12:30 p.m.; bingo, 1 p.m.; open chess, 1 p.m.

Friday: Tai Chi, 9:30 a.m.; cards, 12:30 p.m.

Weekly Card Results

Monday Bridge

Tournament result for March 21, two tables

1st Bud Higgins; 2nd Mabel Vaale; 3rd Jaynard Johnson; 4th Carolyne Higgins; 5th Mary Johnson.

Tues Afternoon “500”

Tournament results for March 22, four tables

1st Helen Broitzman; 2nd Lois Anderson; 3rd Gene Rauen; 4th Beulah Luthe.

Pinochle

Jaynard Johnson

Wednesday Bridge

Tournament result for March 22

1st Sheryl Ehkle, 1st Fred Langlock; 2nd Dick Hansen, 2nd Larry Crowe; 3rd John Allen, 3rd Jaynard Johnson; 4th Bud Higgins, 4th Jim Fisher.

Weekly “500”

Tournament result for March 25, four tables

1st Helen Broitzman; 2nd Dennis Bray; 3rd Fran Bolstad; 4th Lois Anderson

Weekly Cribbage

Tournament result for March 23, three 1/4 tables

1st Mable Vaale, 2nd Loretta Nelson, 3rd Lorraine Low

Friday Bridge

Tournament result for March 25, four tables

1st Ella Rouhoff; 2nd Larry Larson; 3rd Jaynard Johnson; 4th Arnie Lang; 5th Dick Hansen; 6th John Allen.

Friday Cribbage

Tournament results for March 25, one and half tables

1st Dorothy Peterson, 2nd Loretta Prantner

Semcac Daily Meals

Monday: Onion smothered beef steak

Tuesday: Chicken pot pie

Wednesday: Liver and onions. Alternative: Beef steak

Thursday: Hot turkey sandwich

Friday: Baked fish. Alternative: Pork steak