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By Karen Burton SuperAgers are those folks who age well. So, what does that mean? According to Harvard researchers, the term "super agers" was coined to qualify those in a recent clinical study who were statistically deemed the "healthiest and the happiest." The decades-long research made a surprising determination. What separates the super agers from the rest was one stand-out detail: they had strong social connections. Period. It had nothing to do with fame or fortune. It was not about marital status. Though diet and exercise are important, it wasn't about those things either. The dominant common denominator of SuperAgers is they had curated a vibrant social circle, undergirded with a guided sense of purpose and meaning. See for yourself and be inspired as you learn about four of our Four Seasons SuperAgers, with the average age of 84. Each of them supports the research and illustrates a powerful proverbial truism, "He who refreshes others will himself be refreshed." Whether family is close by or gone, whether friends or spouses have died, whether health could be better, they showcase that our last chapter can be our best. These folks, like the rest of us, have suffered many losses, betrayals, and disappointments, yet they aren't wasting their pain. Instead, they are using what they learned from it to help others. Another study about aging and longevity emphasized the Relationship Quotient (RQ), the art of developing interpersonal relationships. Social researcher Brene Brown espouses, "Vulnerability is the portal to creativity, joy, belonging, and love." Developing high RQ reinforces personal fulfillment, which increases serotonin production, raises energy levels, improves memory, enhances problem-solving abilities, and activates the immune system and the part of the brain that produces endorphins. Bottom line: RQ increases psychological, physical, emotional, social, intellectual, and spiritual well-being. Another clinical study of the aged summarized two contrasting mindsets. These Swedish researchers coined the terms the "wellderly" and the "illderly." The former reconciles the terminus of life with an open heart. Their emphasis is on what they have — from a place of abundance, curiosity, gratitude, and acceptance. Whereas illderlies enter their later years with a closed heart. Their emphasis is on what they don't have — from a place of scarcity, disregard, grievances, and resentments. The study concluded that despite its challenges and inconveniences, old age can be a highly productive, highly rewarding, and ultimately, a meaningful period of life. So, a question: What are we curating for ourselves? Maybe we can take a risk and do something different to expand our connections. Perhaps we can attend a new event, check out a game club, join an exercise class, try a new craft, join a committee, learn some new dance steps, enjoy movie nights, sample some wine, do a new sport, go on a new adventure. Let others do the driving, whether it's the Travel Club or the 4x4 Club. A long-time resident calls our community a "League of Nations." All nationalities, ethnicities, religions, races, sexual orientations, socioeconomic backgrounds, health levels, and life experiences abound at Four Seasons. We've got a smorgasbord of people, activities, and interests to enjoy. Let's pick up our plate and partake of these social goodies to add more health and happiness to our body, mind, and soul. The SuperAgers Among Us The SuperAgers Among Us Dan Hazeltine, 70, a retired educator, serves others with dedicated generosity. He wears many hats at Carol's Kitchen, facilitates online "Love of Aging" discussions, serves as the Rainbow Group's chairperson, among many other involvements. His theatrical career was booming (having worked with Debbie Reynolds and other top musical performers), when he got hit hard with a life- changing illness that changed everything. He attributes this hardship to changing his priorities. Dan inspires, "Anyone who's not dead can make a difference." He imparts, "We need to jump out of our plane of comfort … to our next phases of life … It is in jumping out where our souls are unshackled and we are free to fly." 20 FOUR SEASONS BREEZE | SEPTEMBER 2023