Living to be 100, even with a chronic illness

Not everyone is destined to live one hundred years on this planet. It's a somber truth, but even the healthiest sometimes don't make it that long. Maybe it's because some people feel that when really old individuals reach a certain benchmark, they consider it a "point of no return" if you will.

This moniker sometimes can describe elderly people with chronic illnesses. But there's still a big chance for centenarian hopefuls, even after getting diagnosed with heart disease or diabetes. Boston University conducted a survey of 700 senior citizens who were lucky enough to live to be 100-years-old.

A third of these people had developed medical conditions related to such extreme aging (like heart disease). The researchers figured out that combined with a relatively healthy lifestyle and good conditioning, aggressive medical attention helped prolong their lives. This could include direct treatment on an assertive scale, or regular checkups (even house calls with a nurse). It goes to show you that there really isn't a "point of no return" for anyone out there, especially those who would be considered beyond the realm of help.