Those who live to 100 years and beyond are healthier and less likely to die of cancer than younger pensioners, new research suggests.
A study of centenarians, by the International Longevity Centre UK (ILC-UK) and Age UK, found that those aged 100 and over enjoy better health than pensioners years younger than them, with many remaining fit and healthy right up until their final weeks.
"Some research appears to suggest that centenarians continue to enjoy better physical health than 'younger' cohorts of older people into their centenarian years and avoid many of the non-communicable diseases associated with older age," says David Sinclair from ILC-UK.
"This pattern is even thought to extend to supercentenarians (those aged 110+) who are found to be no more susceptible to illness and disability than nonagenarians and showed similar levels of independence."
However, although older people are less likely to develop cancer, the study found that centenarians are more prone to degenerative conditions, such as dementia or blindness, as well as loneliness. Experts believe this could be because they have outlived their spouses and family friends.
In the UK, 12,640 people have reached their 100th birthday and received the birthday telegraph from the Queen. Experts predict that there will be a twelve-fold increase in the number of centenarians over the next 30 years and that a quarter of children born today will live to 100.
Researchers also appealed for better care for centenarians and urge the Government to develop a 'care voucher' scheme, similar to childcare vouchers, to ensure centenarians are well looked after by their family without stretching their finances or jeopardising their jobs.
"Whilst reaching 100 years of age is an aspiration for many, it is one which few people have achieved," says David Sinclair from ILC-UK.
"With significant growth in the numbers of centenarians ahead, it is vital now that our efforts are focused on understanding how we support and deliver improvements in quality of life for the oldest old. Government and other policy makers must begin to better adapt services to address this huge demographic change ahead of us."