Oregon Public Broadcasting

Researchers from Portland State University, Oregon Health and Science University, and Kaiser Permanente, have pinpointed half a dozen factors that can help you live to a ripe old age and enjoy good health. Kristian Foden-Vencil reports.

Elderly people who have a positive outlook; lower stress levels; and who appreciate a little tipple -- but don’t smoke -- are more likely to enjoy life, according to a study published in the ‘Journal of Gerontology.’

Researcher David Feeny, of Kaiser Permanente, says a little money also helps – but you don’t have to be rich.

David Feeny: “Our results certainly indicate that if you’re at very low income you’re much less likely to thrive at older age. But at quite moderate levels of incomes and up, the people were able to thrive.”

The study is one of the first of its kind -- because it looks at factors that help people do well, rather than make them sick.