But, as people live longer lives, how will that impact the local medical community?

When Channel 6 News asked the question, "What's the secret to living to 100?" it seemed everyone thought they had the answer. Many said they eat right, never smoked and are active.

Some, like Hazel Ryder and Freida Bothwell, said even at 105 and 100 years old respectively, numbers don't mean a thing when it comes to aging.

Ryder and Bothwell are part of a growing segment of the American population that's reaching 100 years old and making it known that aging is nothing to be afraid of.

Penny Tronzo is a registered nurse who's dedicated her life to teaching older Americans how to enjoy and thrive in the years post-retirement.

"Aging is just a state of mind," Tronzo said.

"If you remain physically active, if you remain mentally active, if you remain socially active and if you remain spiritually active, that's the battle right there."

Ryder said she's taken that advice to heart. Even after recovering from a heart attack at the age of 104, she is still actively exercising.

"I don't want to lay down and play dead," she said.

While staying active may be the key to Ryder's longevity, Bothwell and her 97-year-old sister, Elsie, may simply be blessed with good genes.

Dr. Michael Tatarko of Memorial Medical Center said, "People who tend to live to those ages are usually healthy -- that's how they get to 100. We have a number of those in our region."

As the numbers grow, Tatarko said the medical community will likely feel the pinch -- especially in the Alleghenies.

He said there are two things local residents will have to address. The first is replacing doctors as they retire, and the second is anticipating a greater need for medical care as patients get older.

Tatarko said the key to addressing those issues may be to move services such as therapy out of hospitals and into the community.

Both Tatarko and Tronzo said no matter how old a person is, they can keep from aging. First and foremost, giving up smoking can extend life expectancy by about 17 years, they said.

Further, the medical providers said people should surround themselves by positive people and exercise their minds.

Ryder and Bothwell said, even after they hit 100, they still enjoy trying new things. Ryder, for example, made her first national television appearance on "The Today Show" at age 105.

"Live a good life, enjoy yourself and be happy," Bothwell said.