Studys Show Seniors Would Be Happier If They Continued To Work
ANDREA KOPPEL, CNN ANCHOR: Just imagine if the fountain of youth wasn't in a bottle, pill or to be found on some island off Tahiti. Instead, it was all about staying busy and, dare I even say it, continuing to work. We're talking to America's oldest worker today, Dr. Russell Clark, a real estate developer and retired physician, is 102 years old. And Andrea Wooten is President of Experience Works, a leading non-profit company in older worker training and employment. Welcome to you both.</s>ANDREA WOOTEN, PRESIDENT OF EXPERIENCE WORKS: Thank you.</s>KOPPEL: Dr. Clark, I'd like to begin with you first, if I may. Why do you continue working, and do you enjoy it?</s>RUSSELL CLARK, REAL ESTATE DEVELOPER: Well, I saw her on the other night at the football game.</s>KOPPEL: Is that right? Dr. Clark, let me see if I can speak loudly enough so that you can hear me. Why do you continue working now at 102 years old and what exactly are you doing?</s>CLARK: Right now, I'm busy in my office taking care of the business that I have in Las Vegas.</s>KOPPEL: In Las Vegas, are you a gambler?</s>CLARK: Pardon?</s>KOPPEL: Are you a gambler?</s>CLARK: I'm in auram (ph) right now.</s>KOPPEL: You know, I was reading about your biography, and I understand that you had a brother who passed away at 103 1/2.</s>CLARK: Yes.</s>KOPPEL: And you had an uncle and aunt that lived to about 104 and 105. So clearly, longevity runs in your family.</s>CLARK: It does, and my aunt was 106.</s>KOPPEL: 106?</s>CLARK: Yes.</s>KOPPEL: So to what do you attribute your family's longevity? Is it just good genes?</s>CLARK: Well, the genes play a part, and she was a hard worker, optimistic, kept busy, loved people, served the community, served her nation.</s>KOPPEL: Do you think, Dr. Clark, do you recommend to other senior citizens that they continue working into their 80s and 90s, and dare I say like you, over 100?</s>CLARK: I think there's millions that can do that, continue on working. I think they would be happier. They'd find their objective in life, and they'd find their niche, and be happy over what they're serving and doing with other people.</s>KOPPEL: How do you think your life has been different, in other words, the fact that you've lived to be such a ripe, old age if I may say, do you think that you've been a happier person because you've continued working even after you retired from the medical profession?</s>CLARK: Well, I was happy in the medical profession, but there's a time, you know, turning the gavel over to someone else. I felt that was the time when I was around 80 years of age, and then I felt that there was other things to do that could help in the community, in the city, and the nation.</s>KOPPEL: I'd like, if I may, sir, to bring in Ms. Wooten, who is with Experience Works, and who helped find you as the oldest working American. Ms. Wooten, tell us about your organization, and are there a lot of candidates out there for the oldest American worker?</s>WOOTEN: Experience Works is a national nonprofit organization that puts the experience of older individuals to work by providing training and employment, and community service opportunities. We found that there are an increasing number of older people who are wanting to work. Many need to work, but many want to work because they want the social interaction, and they want the challenge and the fulfillment that comes from work that I believe Dr. Clark just mentioned. You know, this fulfillment as we go through life is something that we see very characteristic of all the people that we recognize. They really view work not as work, but as a purpose in life. It gives them meaning.</s>KOPPEL: Dr. Clark, I have to confess, you know, when folks are my age, we're all thinking about that day when we won't have to work anymore. Give us some words of wisdom as to why we should appreciate the jobs that we're doing now.</s>CLARK: I think, number one, is live for today, tomorrow may never come. Have goals and priorities. Reach out and find something that's worthwhile to do, rather than sit in the hammock all day long or the rocking chair and counting the cars that go by. I think that that's more or less kind of a neglect of foresight and they haven't reached their pinnacle in happiness and service to other people and to their own country.</s>KOPPEL: Wonderful advice, and Dr. Clark, I understand you have a birthday next month. When is it in November?</s>CLARK: 19th of November.</s>KOPPEL: Well, mine is the 27th. I want to wish another Sagittarian a very happy birthday. I hope you make it to 103 and a lot longer.</s>CLARK: I think it will be a little bit longer.</s>KOPPEL: Well, I hope so, too. Dr. Russell Clark and Andrea Wooten, I want to thank both you for coming in tonight and hopefully giving our viewers some inspiration.</s>CLARK: Well, thanks. I appreciate it. and it's been a pleasure and an honor to do it.</s>WOOTEN: Thank you. USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com Work>