Ellen McDonald - An Exemplary Centenarian

Ellen McDonald is just a couple of months away from celebrating her 101st birthday. She is part of a growing number of people who have lived to 100 and more. This is why she makes part of research that will prove vital 20 or 30 years down the line, when it is projected that those who live to this age will double and even triple.

The research is being conducted by the International Longevity Centre with funding from Age UK. It functions as an attempt to better prepare for a near future where people in the age group after 80 and 90 is projected to increase exponentially.

According to a report in the Yorkshire Post, some believe that the UK is critically unprepared for this trend; an assessment that is not difficult to believe if the spending cuts, state of care homes, and winter deaths are taken into account.

Ellen’s story is, as yet, unusual and inspiring. At 14, she started working full time in a textile mill, where she met her husband Jim.

Right now, Ellen is challenged by her relative lack of mobility, but she still lives at home and makes regular visits to her local over 55s club. According to her doctor, she has “a good brain,” which will probably serve this robust lady for several more years.

What's this?