Thirty minutes of sport a day, protein at every meal, a circle of friends: it is possible to stay healthy until age 100. The Journal offers you simple and realistic tips for fending off illness and the secrets of centenarians about their longevity.
A very small man from La Tuque is in the process of achieving an extraordinary feat: he crosses 105e Quebec winter.
“I never thought I would get there! laughingly admits Jean Brassard, who is 5 feet 1 inch tall and weighs 120 pounds. I love life and it makes me love it.”
Nicknamed “the kid” because he always makes jokes, the La Tuque resident will celebrate his 106th birthday next June. He was born in 1919.
“I’m not afraid of death, I don’t even think about it,” he swears.
Mr. Brassard is one of 443 centenarians in Quebec, according to the Quebec Statistics Institute. In great shape, the eldest takes some medication, but has never had a major illness.
“I’m a happy little guy. I try to live life as simply as possible. It’s practical,” advises the man who made a career in a paper mill in La Tuque, in Mauricie.
Difficulty shoveling
Retired since 1981, Mr. Brassard remained in his house until he was 102 years old.
“I realized that I had difficulty pushing the mower and blowing snow,” confides the man who now lives in a CHSLD.
“There, I am truly retired!” he laughs, adding that he is happy in this new place. I have always had an easy time adapting. Where I hang my hat, I am at home.”
A widower since 2001, Mr. Brassard accompanied his wife for several years through illness, while she fought cancer. They had no children.
Dean of his CHSLD, the little man makes breakfast every morning. He also walks almost an hour a day in the hallways of the residence, or to go to the bank or the grocery store.
Walk, always walk
“I walk as much as possible. I have an electric chair, but I hardly use it, he swears. I have no pain in my legs, they are in perfect condition!”
As for his secret to living so old and healthy, Mr. Brassard admits to having always eaten well and almost never smoked.
“I think my cheerfulness got me there,” he concludes. I don’t know how far I’ll go. I don’t stop at my age!”
