Meet Paulette Dorflaufer, part crossing guard, part local legend. Every morning before her 7:15 a.m. shift in Livingston, New Jersey, she wakes up early to put together a full glamorous outfit: fur coats in winter, shawls in fall, always an ornamental hat, a chapeau, and a coat of lipstick, all topped with a bright-yellow safety vest. "I'm French," she'll tell you. "You never know when you'll be invited to a party.
But behind the fabulousness is a remarkable life. Born in Nazi-occupied France in 1943 to a Jewish family, Paulette survived the Holocaust as a baby while her parents and siblings were taken to concentration camps. She grew up in a Paris orphanage before being adopted by a New Jersey family at age 4. Decades later, she tracked down her surviving siblings through the French Embassy, and the reunion was everything. Today, at over 80 years old, she's been working the same corner outside a local elementary school for 25 years. She calls it her happy corner.
How old are you and how old do you feel?
I am 82 but I feel like 60 years old.
What helps you maintain your physical, mental, and social well-being?
Older people should sing or hum to themselves regularly. Playing card games such as solitaire is also a great way to keep the mind active. Remember to exercise, spend time outdoors in the fresh air and sunshine, stay physically active, and listen to music. These simple daily habits can help support both mental and physical well-being.
What advice do you have for aging well?
Keep a smile on your face, think positively, and find reasons to feel happy. Stay active and keep moving. Get plenty of sunshine, exercise regularly, and make sure you're getting the vitamins you need. A positive attitude and healthy habits can make a real difference.
Life expectancy 2023
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