AGING AMERICANS: ACTIVITY KEY TO SENIOR LONGEVITY

Editor's Note: This is the third of a five-part series examining the issues facing America's elderly population.

Irma Lappe thought life would slow down when she reached her 80th birthday, but not much has changed.

"I thought I'd slow down, but I don't want to," she said.

The 80-year-old Cape Girardeau resident stays active with volunteer work at St. Francis Medical Center and quilting projects at the Cape Girardeau Senior Center and her church.

Before retiring in 1981, Lappe worked as a practical nurse. Retirement was a big change, but "I'm still busy," she said.

Staying active is an important factor in living longer, says Ann Diaton, director of Missouri's Department of Aging.

And living longer means staying healthy as well.

"There's a greater interest in staying healthy longer," said Desma Reno, director of the Institute of Gerontology at Southeast Missouri State University. "Overall, senior citizens are making great strides to maintain their health as long as they can."

Although many elderly people live with chronic conditions like heart disease, diabetes or other illnesses, they are learning to manage their illnesses, Reno said.

"Even those who are considered on the ill end of the spectrum and are living in nursing care are keeping active," she said. With exercise programs, "they have fewer complications with the conditions they do have."

Exercise is just one of the many activities senior adults take up after retirement. Some meet daily at senior centers for card games, bingo or quilting projects; others volunteer at nonprofit agencies or hospitals.

Lappe began a new hobby after her husband's death 10 years ago. Although she is now an avid quilter at the Senior Center, Lappe didn't even know how to make a stitch when she first began sewing.

"When I lost my husband, I was in a difficult state," she said. "I was depressed and had a friend who suggested I attend a church quilting bee."

So Lappe went to one of the weekly quilting sessions at St. Vincent's Church and keeps going back. "I think I cried the whole time," she said of her first visit. "But nobody took my stitches out."

Now she quilts weekly.

For other seniors, the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) offers a chance to stay busy while helping in the community.

"It makes them feel like the community needs them," said Tina McDowell, RSVP administrator. "They aren't a burden to the community. Many people feel like a burden when they get older, but this shows them they can give back. They are accepted and are part of the community again."

RSVP volunteers are adults 55 or older who want to volunteer with area agencies in Scott or Cape Girardeau counties. Assignments include everything from clerical help to tutoring or working in nursing centers and hospitals.

"We have agencies calling all the time for volunteers," McDowell said. "Sometimes it takes time to fill the need, because you are finding the right person who wants to do that work."

There are 532 senior citizens enrolled in the RSVP program, which was recently recognized as the best senior service corps program in the state.

"These people live longer and healthier lives because they stay active," McDowell said. "Some people say they'll travel or take it easy when they retire. Traveling is great for a while, but you need to keep your body and mind active. You need to keep your brain cells going."

For RSVP information, call (573) 887-3664 or 335-7555.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

LIFE AFTER RETIREMENT

Staying active

-- Exercise is important in living longer lives, but poor health is not as prevalent among the elderly as many assume. About 75 percent of people 65 to 74 consider themselves in good health. Two-thirds of people 75 and older consider themselves in good health.

-- Heart disease is the leading cause of death among the elderly. About 70 percent of people who died in 1991 were 65 or older.

-- Elderly white men were more likely to smoke, smoke heavily, drink and drink heavily than elderly women. Elderly black men are about twice as likely to smoke than elderly white men.