- Vincent Dransfield is 110, lives alone, and drives his car every day.
- He's also never had any major health issues like heart disease or cancer.
- He credits drinking milk every day and his social connections with helping him live longer.
At 110, the 8th oldest man in the world still drives his car every day.
Born in 1914, Vincent Dransfield recently told TODAY.com that he can still "manage to do everything" and lives alone in Little Falls, New Jersey, his home over the past 79 years.
According to TODAY.com, the supercentenarian has never had any major health issues, like heart disease or cancer, and has only ever been under anesthesia twice. He also doesn't have backaches or headaches, according to his granddaughter, Erica Lista.
He shared his daily routine and longevity tips with the outlet, including an active social life, lots of movement, and a flexible diet.
1. He drinks milk every day
During the Great Depression, Dransfield started working at a dairy farm at 15, delivering milk for five years.
"I was drinking milk and eating well because I worked on a farm," he told TODAY.com. "And I often go back and think they gave me a good start in life and for my bones in my body."
Cow's milk is high in protein, which can help you retain muscle mass as you get older. Dransfield prefers to drink his morning glass of milk with Ovaltine, a milk flavoring product, and even had his guests drink it at his 100th birthday party.
2. He eats what he wants, including sweets and burgers
The Mediterranean diet is considered to be the healthiest in the world. It emphasizes eating whole foods and lean protein while cutting down on red meat, dairy, and sugar.
Dransfield's eating habits are more flexible: He indulges in burgers, chocolate, and sweets. He also eats microwavable meals and buys food from a local restaurant.
Lista said that her grandfather has never been vigilant about his diet. "He has eaten whatever he wants," she told TODAY.com. "He has never watched his weight. He's never had to lose weight. He's always been fit."
3. He stopped smoking and doesn't drink much
Drinking and smoking are considered to be bad for longevity. While Dransfield will have the occasional beer, he doesn't enjoy other alcohol or imbibe that often.
Dransfield's smoking history is a little more unusual: he only started smoking when he was 50 after a friend offered him a cigarette. But after 20 years, he "threw the cigarettes out and that was it," Lista said.
4. He has a strong sense of purpose
A risk of retirement is faster early decline, and longevity is associated with an enjoyment of learning new things and challenging yourself. Dransfield loved working — he did so for 60 years, mostly as an auto parts manager. When he retired in his late 70s, it was only because his wife requested it.
Even so, he also volunteered for over 80 years as a local firefighter, serving as chief for some time.
5. He's active, even if he doesn't work out
Dransfield's fire department volunteer work, which he started when he was 21, kept him moving for many years.
"I was active and ran out when the alarm went off for 40 years," he said. "Then for the next 40 years, (I continued) when I felt like it."
Dransfield never worked out at a gym and jokes about people who jog. "He's like, 'Where are they running to?'" Lista said.
Instead, he runs errands by himself and keeps in motion. Regular movement, such as daily walks or light exercise, is associated with longer life spans.
6. He socializes a lot
One of the most universal longevity secrets is having a vibrant social life, whether it involves calling friends or striking up conversations with everyone you meet.
While Dransfield's wife died in 1992, he still keeps in regular contact with his family: one child, three grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren. His grandchildren visit him once a week and call every other day to check in.
He also said his many friends from the fire department kept him going in life, especially after he lost his wife. "Every day, he would go to the fire house from 3 to 5, and all the old guys would sit there and hang out," Lista said. "That was like his family."
Dransfield credits his close connections with his good health. "Knowing people and loving people makes me live longer," he said.
