I found a lovely little article dated 2 May 2008 - coming out of the Minister for Ageing's Department in Australia:
"Record Number of Australians Living to be more than 100 Years of Age and New Phenomenon of “Super-Centenarians”

It was all about the incredible shift in the number of people reaching 100 and going beyond. Here in Australia we can boast the fourth longest life expectancy in the world (behind the Japanese, Swiss and Icelanders) however if we look at the indigenous people only 1,116 Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islanders are presently over 85 which is not something to be proud of.

But generally the figures are extraordinary:

"Currently, there are 2,860 Australians over the age of 100 and that is expected to explode to 78,000 by 2055."

That increase in the ageing population is almost unimaginable.

In fact, at 2055 I will BE 100 and it won't be a novelty any more. I'll just be one of 78,000, 100 and overs!!!!

The ones who make it over 110 are now known as the “super centenarians” and around the world in 2006 there were 96 over 110 so we can expect to a lot more as the years go by.

Remember in the good old days, if you made it to 70 you were thought to be really, REALLY old!

Good heavens, that is still in the midst of life nowadays.

In this article I was thrilled to read this line:

"People used to joke that 45 was the ‘new’ 30 – but today with record numbers of Australians reaching 100 - 100 is now becoming the new 75."

Are you not feeling good about yourselves now! We can't use the "it must be because I'm old" line anymore.

OLD is 100 plus girls, so get on with your life.

I think we should believe that we will make it to 100 (let’s make it our goal) and live life like a 45 year old until we get there. That is why it is time to look after every bit of our body as it has a lot of living ahead of it.

The article tells us we are lucky here in Oz as 'we have active lifestyles'. I keep telling you to exercise, don't I!  And medical advances have increased our life expectancy beyond our wildest dreams so it seems.

You know, the younger ones will have so much wisdom coming their way because of this. We over 100's will be fonts of knowledge and have gallons of experience, and yes, we will drive everyone crazy with our advice!!! 

Aged care is going to be interesting to and I wonder if during this current financial crisis, because the generations will be forced to live together, so will begin the process of family support both ways.  

Apparently at the moment we have 167,070 aged care beds with a population of 2.8 million over 65 years olds. Statistics tell us in 2047 we are looking at 7.2 million over 65's.

How in the world is the government going to be able to manage so support this increase unless our families come to our aid.

It's a worry given the 'all about me' generation usually doesn’t think  'all about us'.

Maybe instead of paying the government for aged care facilities we will be paying our children to look after us and then everyone gains - well, that is us and the kind or moneyless child!!!!

It might just come down to whoever looks after us gets the inheritance and a sort of black mail will emerge, sibling rivalry will rear its ugly head, but by golly we will have our aged care covered!  Can you imagine it?

What are your thoughts on the subject? Do you wonder what will happen to you? It seems so far away I know, but at some point the provided health care facilities will disappear and we will be left to fend for ourselves.

BUT hey, this is not meant to be a depressing tale. This is about the joy of knowing there are many, many years ahead.

Don't just think you will stop working or 'dancing the last fandango' at 65 to wind down.  Good grief, you will have another 25 years of active living and if all goes well, at least another 10 plus to look forward to. 

And you will still only be 100!

So my advice, keep exercising and slather on that moisturiser. 

Those wrinkles may be hard to keep under control as the clock ticks onto 100, but who knows what medical marvels will be just around the corner! 
Fingers crossed eh!!!

Gigi©Janet Gilchrist Wise Womens World