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Adopt and present a resolution proclaiming the week of December 1-7, 2024, as Centenarian Week in Solano County, and Receive a video presentation
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Published Notice Required? Yes ____ No _X _
Public Hearing Required? Yes ____ No _X _
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
Supervisors John M. Vasquez and Monica Brown recommend the Board of Supervisors adopt and present a resolution proclaiming the week of December 1-7, 2024, as Centenarian Week in Solano County, and receive a video presentation.
SUMMARY:
This year will mark the 18th Annual Centenarian Commemoration in Solano County. The Centenarian Commemoration is designed to honor and pay tribute to individuals who have reached 100 years of age or older.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The costs associated with preparing the agenda item are nominal and absorbed by the Department’s FY2024/25 Working Budget. The costs associated with preparation and purchase of the resolution materials are included in the Board’s FY2024/25 Working Budget.
DISCUSSION:
To date, the Board of Supervisors has honored more than 325 centenarians, the oldest of them, Reta Wills of Vallejo, who reached super-centenarian status of 110 years old in 2021.
According to the Boston University School of Medicine New England Centenarian Study, centenarians are remarkable examples of healthy aging. Centenarians come from all walks of life. They have different educational, socioeconomic, and religious backgrounds and they are of different ethnicities and live in regions all over the globe. However, they do share some of the following characteristics associated with healthy aging:
1) They generally do not smoke,
2) They remain active and engaged with their families and the community either through extended working, volunteer work, and contributing to the household throughout their later years,
3) They stay physically strong through exercise and physical activity,
4) They maintain a healthy diet, tend to be thin, and
5) They are better able to handle stress.
While genetics play a role in longevity with 20-30% of longevity attributed to genetic factors, environmental factors (e.g., lifestyle choices) account for 70-80% of longevity. Most centenarians are women (85% compared to 15% of men); Super-centenarians (those who are 110 years old or older) occur at a rate of about 1 per 7 million with estimated 60-70 super-centenarians in the U.S.
A longitudinal study conducted by the University of Georgia found that contrary to the general belief that the most elderly are frail and living in nursing homes, “20 to 25% of centenarians are community-dwelling, cognitively intact, and generally vibrant and full of life.” Those who need daily assistance, according to another study are cared for by their families. Estimates state that about 80 percent of what is considered long-term care, including personal care and care for chronic illness, is being provided from within the family, usually by women.
Centenarians have defied life expectancy projections by at least 20 years. They hold the keys to longevity and quality of life. As an aging society we have much to learn from them. Centenarians serve as a guiding light and example of aging with dignity. Their contributions to the understanding of the aging process and how to age with self-respect and pride are laudable and worthy of recognition.
This year, as they have done for the past four years, the Solano County Board of Supervisors will host a virtual celebration, honoring Solano County’s most senior residents with a video presentation, followed up later with the delivery of a Centenarian yearbook and resolutions from the Board.
2024 Centenarians:
The following are the 2024 Solano County Centenarian honorees. These 44 individuals will be recognized by the Board, including:
From the City of Benicia
Helen Jacks, 101
From the City of Dixon
Oakley Dexter, 101
From the City of Fairfield
Farideh Amirkhizi, 103
Lois Bartley, 100
Marian Coles, 101
Anna Conger, 102
Caroline Low, 103
Grace Miyagashima, 104
Helen Rodden, 100
Stephen Shanahan, 100
Charlotte Stack, 104
Maria Tavanier, 100
From the City of Suisun City
Elizabeth Tate, 101
From the City of Vacaville
Lilia Abastillas, 100
Peggy Bassford Byrd, 100
Emerita Caliz, 100
Helen Devlin, 101
Charlie Dohs, 100
John Gonge, 103
Elena (Ella) Hampton, 100
Shirley Helmich, 102
Peral Joe, 102
Eugene Lyons, 100
Lanelle “Corky” Matthews, 99+
Helen Louise Melvin, 100
Dona Cecilia Nunez, 102
Eugene Peterson, 100
Virginia Plunkett, 103
Alma Spratt, 100
Gloria Townsend, 100
Mildred Velky, 101
Guadalupe Vidales, 104
Margaret White, 101
From the City of Vallejo
Irene Acuna, 100
Leona Burns, 100
Adelina Diaz, 105
Maria Mattos Duarte, 100
Helen Hatcher, 102
Dorothy Herger, 100
Eunice Hilton, 102
Virginia Mangabat, 102
Jessie Payne, 100
Emma Lee Woodson, 100
Leona Young, 103
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board may choose not to adopt and present the resolution and receive the video; however, this is not recommended because centenarians have helped shape our nation as it is today. They hold the secrets to aging well and serve as a role model for quality of life for all ages.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION