Being old will suck.

[JesseJames]

Fascinating article
http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/prem/200505/mann

Considering that people are living longer, what do you think the quality of life will be when or if you reach that age?
I don't know about you all but I don't want get old and decrepit and become a burden to anyone.
I don't buy into this live to a ripe old age bologna. I fear the old folks home more than I fear death itself. Sitting catatonic all day and eating apple sauce then go change your Depends undergarments. A long slow death if you ask me.

[bousozoku]

Pretty much once I can't do for myself, it's over for me. I don't want to continue. Anything over 40 <coughs loudly> is downhill anyway. :p

[emw]

I don't think it's unrealistic to assume we can remain reasonably vibrant well into our 80's, and perhaps beyond, given the pace of today's medical technology.

My wife's grandmother is going on 96 years old, and she still lives by herself and does very well. Granted, she doesn't drive, and is somewhat hobbled, but doesn't require a walker, wheelchair, or cane. Her mental capacity is excellent - she's still sharp as a whip, and I enjoy conversing with her. If I can be like that when I'm older, I'll be quite happy.

No, I wouldn't want to live in a state where I need to rely on others to change my diapers, but I hope that if I continue to take care of myself, that won't be the case.

[WinterMute]

Pretty much once I can't do for myself, it's over for me. I don't want to continue. Anything over 40 <coughs loudly> is downhill anyway. :p

Speak for yourself decay-boy, personally, I'm fitter at 41 than I was at 30, sure it's harder to stay fit, and injury takes longer to heal, but I'm damned if I'm going to be fat, fifty and *********... :D ;)

The more you do, the more you CAN do, and that applies to the mind too.

Sure, I might get Alzhiemers, but I won't know much about that, and I can always walk off a cliff before I forget how to walk.

Death and degeneration are the only sure things boys and girls, better get ready for it.

[wdlove]

Pretty much once I can't do for myself, it's over for me. I don't want to continue. Anything over 40 <coughs loudly> is downhill anyway. :p

I'm more than a decade past 40 and doing very well thank you. My mother was self sufficient till she was 83. It was just the last year of her life that she had problems. It was only the last few months of her condition, that I wouldn't want to live that way.

[CorvusCamenarum]

I don't think it's unrealistic to assume we can remain reasonably vibrant well into our 80's, and perhaps beyond, given the pace of today's medical technology.

Agreed. My grandfather is in his mid-70s, plays tennis 4 times a week, and manages to beat people my age (I'm not quite 30 yet). According to his doctor, he has the health of a 45 year old.

No, I wouldn't want to live in a state where I need to rely on others to change my diapers, but I hope that if I continue to take care of myself, that won't be the case.

Doubly agreed. We haven't quite made it to the utopia of the Star Trek world where everyone is still spry at 95. I really don't relish the thought of being 90 and reliant on 30 different medications just to make it through the day.

[stoid]

I have an 88 year old grandmother who, other than the fact that she has never had a driver's license is still completely self-sufficient. She just had to get a set of hearing aids, as her mid-range and high-range hearing has declined in the past decade, but she it a very remarkable woman, and I only hope that I'm in half as good shape at 88.

[ravenvii]

I just hope that they figure out how to unattach my brain from my body, freeze it, and then re-attach it to a brand new, maybe genetically cloned from myself, body. Then I'd be nearly immortal. MWAHAHAHA

... *ahem*...

Only when my mind becomes irrepairably damaged do I want to die.

[pseudobrit]

No worries here.
My genes have me dying of cancer at least before I'm 80, possibly before 60.

All the more reason to plan retirement at 50ish.

Social Secur-what?

[Chip NoVaMac]

The way things are going for the majority, living longer will only help Walmart with their staffing. Since we seem to be set on disregarding the elderly, as long as we can have ours now.

[PlaceofDis]

old age does creep me out a bit more than death

as long as i lived happily, have that happiness to share with the ones i love, and can be as independent as possible is all i want

[IJ Reilly]

Getting old sucks, but it sure beats the alternative.

[MacAztec]

Once I need help walking around I am going to shoot myself.

[stubeeef]

I live in a new little cul-de-sac. There are 2 retired couples who have moved in. One in their mid 70's the other in their 80's. They travel, comeby to play with my kids and drink some wine, one "lil old lady" is usually out gardening and spent 2 hours with a shovel digging the other day.

It has kept me in wonder, I pray to do as well.

[stubeeef]

The way things are going for the majority, living longer will only help Walmart with their staffing. Since we seem to be set on disregarding the elderly, as long as we can have ours now.

ROFLOL!!! :p :p :p

[skunk]

It's all in the mind.

[PlaceofDis]

It's all in the mind.


until your hip goes out from you ignoring the pain! haha

but i do agree that many people have a tendency to just 'give up' later on in life, i think its a combination of mindset and staying active

[ham_man]

My grandfather is 85 years old and somehow manages too chop cotton in the summer. My grandmother is 85 as well and works daily in her garden. I would be blessed to live such a life...

[wdlove]

The way things are going for the majority, living longer will only help Walmart with their staffing. Since we seem to be set on disregarding the elderly, as long as we can have ours now.

The way we look at aging is evolving. The aging of the baby boomer will have many effects, hopefully for the good.

[Lacero]

Yes. Great time to invest in drug companies and health care providers. The population is aging rapidly.

[Abstract]

Pretty much once I can't do for myself, it's over for me. I don't want to continue. Anything over 40 <coughs loudly> is downhill anyway. :p

40? I feel sorry for all those old farts over 25. :D

Getting old sucks, but it sure beats the alternative.

Staying young? :confused:

[scem0]

I think the alternative is dying... :cool:

Yeah, getting old looks pretty depressing, but there's no telling what the world will be like in 50 years (if there is a world :eek: ), so who knows?

scem0

[Toreador93]

I have few fears in life...and one of them is growing old. Unless you have a lot of kids, you probably won't get many visits, and I would imagine getting really lonely.

Also, my body has all sorts of aches now, mostly back and knees (at age 22), so I'm sure it'll be many times worse when I'm 50 or 60.

I don't look forward go growing old. Hopefully stem cell research will advance enough to give me some new body parts (generating new teeth will be commercial in the next decade - loosing teeth is another fear of mine). Otherwise, I couldn't bear to live such a miserable and lonely life.

[ziwi]

I don't think it's unrealistic to assume we can remain reasonably vibrant well into our 80's, and perhaps beyond, given the pace of today's medical technology.

My wife's grandmother is going on 96 years old, and she still lives by herself and does very well. Granted, she doesn't drive, and is somewhat hobbled, but doesn't require a walker, wheelchair, or cane. Her mental capacity is excellent - she's still sharp as a whip, and I enjoy conversing with her. If I can be like that when I'm older, I'll be quite happy.

No, I wouldn't want to live in a state where I need to rely on others to change my diapers, but I hope that if I continue to take care of myself, that won't be the case.


I have a similar situation with a 93 year old grandmother living on her own, only bathroom on 2nd floor. Still kicking and sharp and self sufficient - I think the key is to stay away from the doctors - once you go they find stuff wrong due to your age to get insurance kickbacks. A few years back my gmom went to the doctor for a leg problem - first time in 55 years - all of a sudden she is put on the daily pill box diet for stuff she doesn't have, but is prescribed as a prevenative measure...WTF! We have an RN in the family that we had check her out from time to time so that is how I know she didn't have high blood pressure and all, yet they prescribe medication to control it.

[Chip NoVaMac]

I have few fears in life...and one of them is growing old. Unless you have a lot of kids, you probably won't get many visits, and I would imagine getting really lonely.

Also, my body has all sorts of aches now, mostly back and knees (at age 22), so I'm sure it'll be many times worse when I'm 50 or 60.

I don't look forward go growing old. Hopefully stem cell research will advance enough to give me some new body parts (generating new teeth will be commercial in the next decade - loosing teeth is another fear of mine). Otherwise, I couldn't bear to live such a miserable and lonely life.

The issue of loneliness is something that our society has allowed to happen. No longer are families, for multiple reasons, living even in the same state any more. And even if they live in the same city, it is a "duty" to go visit, not a pleasure

[stubeeef]

The issue of loneliness is something that our society has allowed to happen. No longer are families, for multiple reasons, living even in the same state any more. And even if they live in the same city, it is a "duty" to go visit, not a pleasure

age doesn't preclude loneliness, plently of young vibrant lonely people too. Get off your duff and participate, be a volunteer it helps others and you too.

[skunk]

Took the words out of my mouth... :)

[virividox]

i think being old will be hard especially if you dont have some family to visit and take care of you. i know in my culture the children often take care of their parents once they are unable to live independently; i think thats great, a way to give back to your parents who provided so much for you as a child

[Thomas Veil]

I'd say everyone here who knows someone elderly and active is lucky. I'm 48, as are many of my relatives and contemporaries, and a few weeks back we found ourselves sitting around comparing various medical problems we each have: hearing loss, arthritis, high blood pressure, back problems, etc....and the various treatments we were on for these problems. And we suddenly realized, "Oh my god, we're starting to sound like those old people who sit around complaining about their aches and pains!" :p It happens faster than you realize.

Anybody remember the movie "Soylent Green"? I was always impressed with the scene where Edward G. Robinson goes to the euthanasia center, and how beautifully and with dignity they "put him to sleep". He had himself euthanized just because he was disgusted with life, but I couldn't help thinking, wouldn't it be nice if we could choose that way to go if we were terminal and in pain? Seems nicer than dying in a hospital bed, pumped full of morphine.

(Now, what happened to Robinson after he died was another story.... :rolleyes: .)

[Lacero]

i think being old will be hard especially if you dont have some family to visit and take care of you. i know in my culture the children often take care of their parents once they are unable to live independently; i think thats great, a way to give back to your parents who provided so much for you as a child

Honor thy parents. So many of today's adult children almost expect their parents to provide for them, especially some of the financially abundant parents. I know growing up, we were very poor, which caused me to work even harder than the rich kids. No money to go to college, I started my own business and by age 23, my business grew to 12 employees.

[apple2991]

All hail Soylent Green.

I hope I die before I get old. And I hope "my generation" doesn't spout that sentiment and then sell out (see: baby boomers).

[Mr. Durden]

As the musical genious Brett Michaels said, "everytime I bitch about getting older, I think about those who never had the chance."

Dieing old beats dieing young anyday. Still sucks, though.

Oh, and yes, the "genious" part was tongue in cheek.

[Blue Velvet]

And I hope "my generation" doesn't spout that sentiment and then sell out (see: baby boomers).

Oh, but you will... life has an unfortunate habit of intruding on the most dearly-held ideals and plans.

A long deep recession makes pragmatists of us all.

[jefhatfield]

Speak for yourself decay-boy, personally, I'm fitter at 41 than I was at 30, sure it's harder to stay fit, and injury takes longer to heal, but I'm damned if I'm going to be fat, fifty and *********... :D ;)

The more you do, the more you CAN do, and that applies to the mind too.

Sure, I might get Alzhiemers, but I won't know much about that, and I can always walk off a cliff before I forget how to walk.

Death and degeneration are the only sure things boys and girls, better get ready for it.

i don't think he was saying you are at the bottom of the hill at 40...for most, a very gradual physical decline starts in one's 30s or so but may not become so apparent until much later

when i was 28, i felt the same as when i was 18 but my sudden weight gain and inablility to eat anything i wanted to stumped me...from then on, it's been about less food and late night snacks

that's only the physical decline though...my mind seems to be expanding and my understanding with life, past 40, is a great place to be

most don't mature physically, mentally, and spiritually at the same time...when one loses peak performance in one area, another area may be on the way up and now i understand what a lot of people meant when they said, "life starts at age 40"

we all know that people live independently in their 80s and 90s and may even drive and be able to walk for miles, but that is not the norm...even in the 21st century...it's not like we all have a free ticket to live that long and that healthy...sometimes an obese person who smokes may live long and healthy and the fitness guru can die in mid life and life is not fair that way

it's a numbers game and the best one can do is the maximize their chances for a healthy long life is by exercise, good diet, and plenty of rest...just because jim fix died early doing everything right doesn't mean that if he smoked and drank like a fish that it would have done him better

live wisely

[apple2991]

Oh, but you will... life has an unfortunate habit of intruding on the most dearly-held ideals and plans.

A long deep recession makes pragmatists of us all.

Now it's over I'm dead and I haven't done anything that I want,
Or I'm still alive and there's nothing I want to do.
I will never say the word
Procrastinate again; I'll never
See myself in the mirror with my eyes closed.
I didn't apologize for
When I was eight and I made my younger brother
Have to be my personal slave.

God love em.