Snake oil and other potions have been hawked for centuries to humans who hoped to find a way to outwit the grim reaper. The fountain of youth has been sought after by explorers through the centuries.

And yet our older friends are still dying of that ailment called old age. Will we ever beat the odds against living forever? Well, we can't be faulted for trying. The information revolution has resulted in more people than ever learning how to beat these odds. The Internet is buzzing with information about treatments and medications of every kind along with the state of the art advice about exercise, sleep, anti-stress tips and how to maintain a healthy environment.

Anti-aging creams and applications are a billion dollar business, not to mention the makeovers that are now available to the affluent. If it wrinkles, there is a cosmetic surgeon willing to smooth it out. If it bulges, there is a way to cut out the excess fat. If there is a hormone or application to slow aging, someone is using it.

"Oh, I can't eat peanuts. I am type O and the chemical makeup of peanuts is detrimental to my well being." You often hear friends remarking that they can't eat gluten or dairy products or refined sugar or whatever. All in an effort to maximize longevity.

I even stumbled upon a longevity quiz prepared by Dr. Klaatz and Dr. Goldman which included gender, age, heredity, family income, education, temperament, occupation, environment, health status, weight, psychosocial factors and more. My score was a lifespan of 113 years! Well, I have always said that I planned to live well beyond 100 since I have so many goals that I couldn't attain if I died young. My husband's lifespan came out to age 75. For an 87 year old almost recovered from a brain hemorrhage I think he has beat the odds already don't you?

Starting this quiz was rather disheartening because the first chance to get points gave my husband a minus 5 for being male and a minus 10 for being over 65. Add to this the heredity factors of stroke, diabetes and cancer and he lost another 6 points. However, stopping smoking added three points. Luckily we don't have a family income of under $9,000 a year or that would dump another 10 points.

Living near a busy arterial isn't a positive influence on one's health but we each got 10 points for being in a long-term relationship. I could tell the researchers who prepared this survey that their definition of sex twice a week as satisfactory enough to add four points doesn't cut it with us octogenarians. Kissing and saying we love each other is just as rewarding these days.

Most researchers don't really understand anyone over 65 it seems. Perhaps when I get to the 113 years that my survey predicts I will live, I can be one of the experts on aging and write another survey giving my sage advice to all those younger people who are 100-year-old wannabes. So check back with me in 27 years and you will know if I made it to 113. You can bet if I get there I will be writing all about it.

Georgie Bright Kunkel is a freelance writer and speaker who can be reached at gnkunkel@comcast.net