Nice, thoughtful post.Significant physical decline comes early. But does not matter much if one can do ordinary household chores and, most importantly, look after oneself. Mental decline is hard to measure. AT 89 - in ten days time - my memory is not what it was but only, so far, for things like place nam es that do not really matter. Estimates of what significant means will vary.
I am still of some use in helping my wife so life still has a purpose. If she was not here today would be a good time to die for me.
What if it meant you kept aging, but just never died? I'm thinking life gets pretty grim by the time you hit 300 and you're looking like Yoda with leprosy.
Plus, what do you figure it's going to take to get one of your great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great grandkids to change your diaper?
Zeke Emannuel wrote a really good piece on this about ten years ago.
WHY I HOPE TO DIE AT 75
And he stands by it ten years later as he is now in his late 60s. I agree with this on the whole, and think 80 is probably about ideal, judging from the average quality of life I’ve seen of people in their 70sand 80s.
Life would get grim for the vast majority of people by time they hit 100.
I don't know what the exact day is, but I can assure you when mine comes - I'm going to be screaming,
"No! One more!"
I want to die at ninety being shot by a jealous husband while bailing out of a second-story bedroom window.
Likewise - nice post. It's good that your father has family nearby. Our two sons and there children are in the US and Canada.Nice, thoughtful post.
My father turned 90 back in March. My mother passed away at 86 a year and a half ago. He still drives, but only to the places he knows how to get to and get home from, even though he has navigation in his Infinity. He has his routine- has morning coffee, smokes a few cigarettes throughout the day and evening, reads the paper, and watches Royals games and every crime show on television. He keeps up on the laundry. His short term memory is very poor, and his long term memory is hazy when it comes to remembering people. He writes himself notes and he’s lost without his calendar. He does remember most personal events like when he was growing up, when he served in the Navy, etc. He was always a great story teller.
He’ll never leave his townhouse. Take him out somewhere else, and he gets real confused. My brother lives with him, but it’s becoming more difficult. Dad is frail and has taken a few falls. But he can manage himself in his own place. Outside of aches and pains, no real physical issues. His blood pressure has always been normal.
He’s a tough old guy, and it’s hard watching him decline like this. But when I call him, he’s still cheerful on the phone. I’m heading to Kansas City to spend a couple of days with him.
My sisters, brother, and I figure he’ll go when he’s ready. It still may be a few years away. Hopefully, peacefully in his sleep.
Excellent article, well worth the read with some useful statistics persuading me that aiming for 60 might be better than 50Zeke Emannuel wrote a really good piece on this about ten years ago.
WHY I HOPE TO DIE AT 75
And he stands by it ten years later as he is now in his late 60s. I agree with this on the whole, and think 80 is probably about ideal, judging from the average quality of life I’ve seen of people in their 70sand 80s.
I've seen enough of my mother caring for her parents to hope that she feels the same wayBefore I become a burden to my son.
Having cared for my own parents and now my in laws - I don’t ever want my son to have to deal with it or be burdened by having to care for me.
I'm with you on that. If I become a burden, it's time to call it quits.Before I become a burden to my son.
Having cared for my own parents and now my in laws - I don’t ever want my son to have to deal with it or be burdened by having to care for me.
It's a bit morbid, but is there an ideal age to die ?
It's a bit morbid, but is there an ideal age to die ?
If it's a relief, then that must be a good age to die.There is no good age to die. For some death may be a relief. For others an interruption.
And at what age might that be? 10? 20? . . . 99?If it's a relief, then that must be a good age to die.
Whichever age brings relief.And at what age might that be? 10? 20? . . . 99?
Everyone should have the choice to determine that for themselves.Life threatening afflictions happen at any age. I hope to be among those who see it as an interruption, "I still got things to do." But current health and hospitalizations make me fully aware I could at the flip of a switch find myself among those feeling relief. Your mileage may vary.
Will your deteriorating mental faculties know when to make that call?
And so, you agree, "There is no good age to die."Whichever age brings relief.
Everyone should have the choice to determine that for themselves.
I didn't say that.And so, you agree, "There is no good age to die."
And so, you agree, "There is no good age to die."
From where I sit, kinda reads like you did.I didn't say that.
I'd say 10 years older than I am at the time asked.It's a bit morbid, but is there an ideal age to die ?
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