Dr. Claudia Kawas to speak on the “oldest-old”

Published 1:01 pm Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Dr. Claudia Kawas has been working in the field of aging and dementia for almost 30 years.

“It’s an oxymoron to say that the older I get, the more interested I am in aging,” she said.

About a decade ago, Kawas found data that showed people over 90 were the fastest growing segment of population in most of the world. She said this remarkable demographic is the result of extending life expectancy by 27 years over the past century.

“But little is known about people who live this long,” she said. “In addition, most of us feel that living long isn’t the only important thing, we also want to live well. So I have been trying to learn from our oldest old citizens what we can do to increase our chances of doing both.”

Kawas now oversees “The 90-plus Study,” initiated in 2003 at the University of California, Irvine, to study the oldest-old, the fastest growing age group in the United States. She will share major findings of the ongoing study at the Orcas Center, Sunday Nov. 4, 2 p.m. Her talk will discuss factors associated with longevity and delves into questions like what makes people live to age 90 and beyond, what types of food, activities or lifestyles are associated with living longer and what are ways to remain dementia-free in your 90’s?

The 90-plus Study primarily investigates certain lifestyle and dietary factors, and some cardiovascular factors such as hypertension.

“We have some surprising results that I will share,” said Kawas. “We also are studying the brain tissues of these people, which has taught us a lot about thinking as we age, and are beginning to do genetic studies.”

The lecture is part of the Crossroads Lecture Series, which brings speakers to Orcas Island to share their expertise.

The study has encompassed more than 1,600 people, some in terrific shape, others not.

“Definitely, contact with so many 90-plus and 100-plus-year-olds has affected me deeply, although the ways are hard to summarize in a few words,” she said. “Suffice it to say they continue to teach me a lot.”

Tickets are $10 at Darvill’s Bookstore or at the door. Visit www.orcascrossroads.org for more information.