Men are more likely to indulge in self-destructive practices, such as heavy alcohol consumption, smoking, drug use, irresponsible sexual behavior and fast driving. Job stress, while certainly not uniquely male, is also a large contributor to earlier mortality.

The principal risk of the woman alone in late life is financial. Educate yourself about your money situation, and be sure to participate in budgeting and planning. It's also important to stay social and stay needed. Those who can sustain a support system do well; those who can't fall by the wayside.

Inevitably, aging does bring losses, and it is possible to fall victim to helplessness and hopelessness. But when hope perishes, all is lost. So learn to confront life's losses, laugh at them, grow from them, and thus turn them into life's gains.

Your participation is important in your health. Your doctor is not the boss; you are partners in maintaining your well-being. Your ability to communicate with your doctor is also essential. Ask questions and be an active patient.

Sex is very close to the essence of life. Some biologists even claim that it is all there is to life. Yet no one is more repressed than older people. The truth is that older people can. Older people do. Older people are sexier than younger people perceive them to be and are sexier than they perceive themselves to be.

For most of us, work provides not just money, but a sense of identity. A regular paycheck can provide continued evidence of our value and meaning. Yet retirement also provides the opportunity to rethink your job. Almost infinite choices exist, so do something you love.

Stretching probably gets even more important as you age because stiffness and loss of elasticity are part of the aging process. Be sure you put your muscles through their full range of exertion at least twice each week.

If you want to be 100, be bright, pretty and clean. Keep a sparkle in your eye and in your step. Keep your hair neat and groomed. Be well-shaved. Be strong. Keep your teeth in good shape, and maintain good hygiene.