The Nova Scotia centenarian study: Fitness and frailty in late life

Canada¿s population is aging. Not only are more people living longer, but older adults themselves live longer. The aging population, particularly meeting the needs of frail older adults, is one of the major challenges facing Canada. What determines extreme longevity? What determines frail not successful aging? We propose to use a unique population to examine these questions. Our estimate of centenarianism in Nova Scotia, 210/million, is one of the largest prevalences yet identified. The goals of our study are to confirm this estimate through a comprehensive survey of Nova Scotia¿s centenarians, to measure differing degrees of fitness and frailty among centenarians, and to examine their relationship to clinical, environmental, lifestyle and genetic factors. The results of this study will have broad implications, including to the basic science of aging, clinical care for older adults, the promotion of healthy aging, and public policy.