Senior Longevity Secrets: What Dick Van Dyke Teaches Us About Aging Well

Dick Van Dyke Shows Seniors the Power of Moving at Any Age

When someone reaches 100, everyone wants “the secret.” According to Dick Van Dyke — who hits that milestone next month — there really isn’t one. His belief is refreshingly simple: steady, meaningful daily habits shape a long, vibrant life.

Van Dyke shares his routines and reflections in his new book,100 Rules for Living to 100: An Optimist’s Guide to a Happy Life.After a century of dancing, laughing, and staying curious, he’s more than earned the right to offer advice.

He Keeps Moving — Every Single Week

Van Dyke still trains three times a week at the gym using circuit routines. On the days in between, he practices stretching and yoga. Doctors are stunned when he casually touches his toes. He even sneaks in a soft-shoe step between machines.

Movement supports longevity, mobility, heart health, and cognitive function — science backs that up again and again. Van Dyke is simply the most joyful proof possible that exercise isn’t just about muscles. It strengthens the whole person.

He Stays Playful

He refuses to become the stereotypical “grumpy old man.” Instead, he hunts for moments of joy: humming in the grocery store, joking with strangers, making toddlers laugh. He believes playfulness gives a sense of freedom and natural lightness. Research agrees. A playful spirit lowers stress, improves well-being, and helps people bounce back when life gets challenging.

He Says Yes — A Lot

Curiosity is another cornerstone. When someone invites him to try something new, he usually does. That’s how he ended up directing schoolchildren or appearing in a Coldplay video. Keeping the mind open to learning and novelty is protective for emotional health and brain health.

He Builds Strong Social Connections

Staying socially engaged is one of his non-negotiables. He gathers his grandchildren and great-grandchildren often. He sings with a group of younger men, which he calls “rejuvenating.” He jokes, “I don’t have friends my age. So I’m in the market for some 100-year-old friends.”

Connection is one of the strongest predictors of long-term well-being — and he treats it as essential.

A Growing Club of Centenarians

In the U.S., there are now around 90,000 centenarians. By 2050, projections estimate roughly 380,000. Globally, more than 600,000 people are 100+, with numbers rising as life expectancy improves.

Genetics matter, but lifestyle habits play a larger role than many expect: movement, social connection, curiosity, and optimism. Van Dyke checks every box.

The Bottom Line for Seniors

Van Dyke acknowledges that aging brings challenges. Yet he insists, “No one is a grumpy old man at heart. We all have the capacity for a joyful and purposeful life.”

Move often. Stay playful, curious, and connected. It’s not a secret — just a great way to live, and a path we help seniors build every day at Desert Fitness Collective.