Imagine waking up at 4 a.m. to go to work. That’s what Jocleta Wilson does! She’s 100 years old and works at Home Depot a few mornings a week. She says staying busy is the secret to her long, happy life.

Why Does She Work?

Jocleta doesn’t work for the money. She works to stay active and feel important. She loves moving around and talking to people. Working the cash register keeps her on her feet for four hours straight, which helps her stay fit. Talking to customers keeps her mind sharp and makes her happy. She loves making people smile!

She’s Always Been Active

Jocleta has always been busy. She used to be a professional dancer, and she still loves to dance. She also taught herself to play the piano, and she enjoys painting and cooking. Every morning, she writes a to-do list while drinking her coffee.

And She’s Had More Than Her Share Of Past Difficulties

”I’ve had cancer three times,” she said. “COPD, Emphysema, and I have a pacemaker. But you can’t sweat the small stuff. So, I just don’t think about it.”

Staying Busy Helps You Stay Healthy

Experts say that staying active and connected is especially important for older adults, especially those who live alone. It means people are looking out for you, and it helps you avoid feeling lonely. Loneliness can lead to problems like depression, anxiety, and even heart disease.

Find Something You Love To Do

It’s important to find activities that you enjoy and that you can do. Maybe it’s chair yoga instead of regular yoga, or volunteering at the library. The key is to find something that makes you feel good.

Other Amazing Seniors

Jocleta isn’t the only active senior. There’s Virginia Oliver — otherwise known as the “Lobster Lady” — who, at 104, is still hauling lobster traps in Maine.

Hilda Jaffe, 102, walks 3,000 steps a day, belongs to a book club and volunteers at the New York Public Library.

Doug Turner, 87, throws an annual winter party for his neighborhood in Bucks County, Pa., and delivers handwritten invites door-to-door.

Deborah Szekely, 102, is a wellness guru, and she still works two days a week at Rancho La Puerta, the fitness and spa retreat she founded in 1940 in Mexico. She hosts regular dinners and lunches, and she holds a weekly Q&A session for around 100-150 guests at the resort.

Tips for Staying Busy

• Set a routine: Do things at the same time every day.
• Connect with friends: Invite them for lunch and find things you like to do together.
• Find your purpose: Do something that makes you feel useful and happy.

Jocleta knows not everyone can work at 100, but she believes everyone can find ways to stay connected and active. She says, “Keep pushing yourself!”

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Oldest Home Depot employee in the country lives in Louisville