Extreme old age

Sunny

Sunny

SF VIP
Location
Maryland
I don't think I've ever seen this topic addressed here. I think it might provoke a valuable discussion.

Most of us are not 100 yet, or even close to it. Some may have parents or older siblings in that category. We all say we'd like to live a long life, as long as we are healthy and independent. So, what do we visualize as that life? Realistically, most people in their late 90's or above cannot live alone any longer. So what then?

I think the people in old time China got it right, at least from the point of view of the old folks. They lived with their children and grandchildren, who took care of them until their life ended. Is that a good thing for the modern western world? How feasible is it?

Maybe the best alternatives we have are the "continuing care" communities, with independent living to start with, moving into assisted living, etc.? Yet, as an independent, active person, that doesn't really appeal to me either. I wonder, is there really any good answer?

Sorry to be starting off the day on a downer, today's paper had several articles in the Health section about moving the frail elderly into hospice care, which started me thinking.
 

Sunny said:
I don't think I've ever seen this topic addressed here. I think it might provoke a valuable discussion.

Most of us are not 100 yet, or even close to it. Some may have parents or older siblings in that category. We all say we'd like to live a long life, as long as we are healthy and independent. So, what do we visualize as that life? Realistically, most people in their late 90's or above cannot live alone any longer. So what then?

Here where I am living I have met and visited with three of the male residents that are ages 94 96 & 98. They live alone and are able to walkld time China got it right, at least from the point of view of the old folks. They lived with their children and grandchildren, who took care of them until their life ended. Is that a good thing for the modern western world? How feasible is it?

Maybe the best alternatives we have are the "continuing care" communities, with independent living to start with, moving into assisted living, etc.? Yet, as an independent, active person, that doesn't really appeal to me either. I wonder, is there really any good answer?

Sorry to be starting off the day on a downer, today's paper had several articles in the Health section about moving the frail elderly into hospice care, which started me thinking.
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Here where I live I have met and visited with three single males in their 90's----94,96,98. All three can walk with out cane or walker and live alone. Two are WW 2 Vets and the 3rd a retired airline pilot.
 
I see nothing in being alive while incapacitated. Quality of life is all that matters. My father has Alzheimer's and seeing the inside of those facilities for Alzheimer's patients was as dark and morbid as any experience in my life It could only be described as hell on Earth. I am 70 now and thankful for all of my years but I m prepared to check out if I suddenly need help to clean my self. We do it for out pets that we love because it is the right thing to do.
 

Lon, that's what we can all hope for!

Fmdog, I agree completely. I've visited a number of "assisted living" communities, to visit someone or to sing with a group, etc. None of them remotely appeal to me as a place to live.
 
Saw this in the news recently. 104 year old travels from New Zealand to Switzerland to commit suicide. He said he's done, wants to be done.

https://www.khou.com/article/news/n...land/465-668478c0-6c2c-4726-91f8-2ff53fd9ff5c

That being said quality of life issues come up. And people of all ages of to be told or learn they have to work on their health, it's not just the medical industry. That means they have to educate themselves, work on fitness and nutrition, be willing to experiment or follow doctors orders. I say that because people in their 80s and 90s can still have 'a' life that isn't agony or laborious. Yes those suffering from catastrophic won't care about life at 100.

Reason I bring this up I know people you can tell their waiting for the end. Some are honest about it and other's aren't and don't follow doctor's orders, take their medications, work on fitness and nutrition and yet they are completely capable. I guess what I'm saying is don't waste your or other's time with ambivalence taking resources and people's time.

There is life near the century mark but just as when young you have to work at it and want it.
 
I’m all for assisted suicide. I have no desire to have strangers cleaning and caring for my body especially if I don’t even know what’s happening. No! Thankfully Canada now has assisted suicide as an option.
We do euthanize our beloved pets. It’s about time humanity has the same rights.
 
Keesha said:
I’m all for assisted suicide. I have no desire to have strangers cleaning and caring for my body especially if I don’t even know what’s happening. No! Thankfully Canada now has assisted suicide as an option.
We do euthanize our beloved pets. It’s about time humanity has the same rights.
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My only thing be sure and until one is sure they need to live life including doing as much for themselves as possible. Until that actual day it should be life as normal what ever that is. I just don't want see people over dwell or ponder these decisions. People in this position also should have less reason to be dishonest and do things like refuse medications, treatments as a form of slow disguised suicide. I know several who purposely lie about taking basic medications with lame excuses when it's nothing but a matter of control and/or slow suicide. If you want to go be honest about it. Don't waste other's time and efforts helping you.
 
I think that’s why it’s called ‘assisted’ suicide. The person assisting is a doctor.
Besides which, taking medicine should be my choice not somebody else’s
Anyway, depressing topic. Not something I want to contemplate at this stage in life.
Im all about living life to the fullest everyday
 
Keesha said:
I’m all for assisted suicide. I have no desire to have strangers cleaning and caring for my body especially if I don’t even know what’s happening. No! Thankfully Canada now has assisted suicide as an option.
We do euthanize our beloved pets. It’s about time humanity has the same rights.
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I agree!!
 
As to "wanting to go" if I understand "assisted suicide" there usually are very strict guidelines as to when and in what condition it is actually available to an individual. I'm 85 and rather healthy. Living self reliant is of absolute importance for me. No problem at present. I care for 3 acres with mowing and trimming and equipment maintenance and want to keep at it as long as I can. It gives me a feeling of being of some "worth". I never think of suicide when awake but at night dreams cause some concern. I'm sure some know the details of assisted suicide and its limitations. What options are available to the "do it yourself" entuusiast in this area?
 
LoneRogue said:
As to "wanting to go" if I understand "assisted suicide" there usually are very strict guidelines as to when and in what condition it is actually available to an individual. I'm 85 and rather healthy. Living self reliant is of absolute importance for me. No problem at present. I care for 3 acres with mowing and trimming and equipment maintenance and want to keep at it as long as I can. It gives me a feeling of being of some "worth". I never think of suicide when awake but at night dreams cause some concern. I'm sure some know the details of assisted suicide and its limitations. What options are available to the "do it yourself" entuusiast in this area?
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I wouldn't risk it!

I want a TNT Good Housekeeping approved method that is neat, painless and works the first time every time.

I don't mind paying a little extra for a one time purchase!
 
Aunt Bea said:
I wouldn't risk it!

I want a TNT Good Housekeeping approved method that is neat, painless and works the first time every time.

I don't mind paying a little extra for a one time purchase!
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I'm with you, Aunt Bea.

Maybe that will be the insurance policy of the future.......instead of long term care insurance policies, and as an addition to the funeral/cremation pre-paid policies, there will be an end-of-life policy that covers all the aspects of bowing out in a timely, painless, legal, and tidy manner. I'd buy one tomorrow.
 
I live in Oregon and this is the 1st state to enact an assisted suicide arrangement. I would really be interested to learn the details of how it is handled. "...timely, painless, legal, and tidy manner" is a good way to say what an "all aspects" system should be. I would guess that "timely" may not always be allowed as per an individuals wishes.
 
jujube said:
I'm with you, Aunt Bea.

Maybe that will be the insurance policy of the future.......instead of long term care insurance policies, and as an addition to the funeral/cremation pre-paid policies, there will be an end-of-life policy that covers all the aspects of bowing out in a timely, painless, legal, and tidy manner. I'd buy one tomorrow.
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Absolutely. Afterall we are soon approaching 2020. It’s about time some new options came about. We NEED changes desperately regarding this topic.
I’d buy a policy guaranteed. Then I wouldn’t have to worry about this cause I have to admit I don’t like the idea of totally giving up all my rights and living my final years miserable with other people in charge of everything. That’s not living.
 
I also believe in the ''quality of life". Who wants to live in pain or without independence or without a mind or without dignity? My ideal would be to live like George Burns, he was doing great with body AND mind until he fell just days after his 100th birthday. And YES, we should be allowed a safe and painless exit like we do for our pets. I think religion plays a part in that refusal to help. I'm thinking, I NEVER take sleeping pills, one bottle should do it when I'm ready to check out. Carbon monoxide, too, but that could be iffy if you don't do it right, you could just end up a vegetable. Any comments on the sleeping pills option?
 
My real questions are related to the system requiring official ok by medical practitioners which have legal and lawsuit concerns if not done and approved precisely correct. Doctor Kevorkian, I believe, was genuinely concerned about relieving suffering persons and he was often heavily criticized for his decisions. Assisted suicide sounds so simple and wonderful but there are still regulations that may not fit what a person genuinely wants for themselves.
 
I plan on enough sleeping pills to put me to sleep, then some blood pressure meds to lower my blood pressure to 0
PVC said:
I also believe in the ''quality of life". Who wants to live in pain or without independence or without a mind or without dignity? My ideal would be to live like George Burns, he was doing great with body AND mind until he fell just days after his 100th birthday. And YES, we should be allowed a safe and painless exit like we do for our pets. I think religion plays a part in that refusal to help. I'm thinking, I NEVER take sleeping pills, one bottle should do it when I'm ready to check out. Carbon monoxide, too, but that could be iffy if you don't do it right, you could just end up a vegetable. Any comments on the sleeping pills option?
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john19485 said:
I plan on enough sleeping pills to put me to sleep, then some blood pressure meds to lower my blood pressure to 0
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That's interesting about the BP medicine in addition to the sleeping pills. I don't like to take medicine and don't take any except for infections (have chronic ear problems), so don't have BP medicine. I'm assuming I can get sleeping pills over the counter and one bottle full should ensure death. I definitely don't want bloody or violent like jumping off a cliff or guns etc. This is certainly a morbid thread but OH, SO PRACTICAL and necessary for those of us who want death with dignity.
 
over the counter ones are no good, you can take the whole bottle, and your head with hurt the next morning , I already tried this , after I got home from Vietnam.
PVC said:
That's interesting about the BP medicine in addition to the sleeping pills. I don't like to take medicine and don't take any except for infections (have chronic ear problems), so don't have BP medicine. I'm assuming I can get sleeping pills over the counter and one bottle full should ensure death. I definitely don't want bloody or violent like jumping off a cliff or guns etc. This is certainly a morbid thread but OH, SO PRACTICAL and necessary for those of us who want death with dignity.
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I believe that assisted suicide (death with dignity) is now legal in my state, which is a good thing. I have nothing against checking out once you feel that it's your time to go, whether you do it 'legally' or on your own. It is a risk doing it on your own, you have to be sure your method will be final, but you bypass all the red tape of bringing strangers into your decision, like the doctors, etc. I still have the book that my mother in law bought when she was old and sickly, Final Exit. In it are various techniques to end your life.

My biggest concern is Alzheimer's, where I'm on my own but no longer able to know how to function, who I am or where I am....then obviously someone will step in and take over. I'd like to have my wits about me until the end, then I can decide for myself the quality of my life and where to go from there.
 
LoneRogue said:
My real questions are related to the system requiring official ok by medical practitioners which have legal and lawsuit concerns if not done and approved precisely correct. Doctor Kevorkian, I believe, was genuinely concerned about relieving suffering persons and he was often heavily criticized for his decisions. Assisted suicide sounds so simple and wonderful but there are still regulations that may not fit what a person genuinely wants for themselves.
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I think Dr. Kevorkian was genuinely caring of people, and I had no issue with what he was doing.
 
SeaBreeze said:
My biggest concern is Alzheimer's, where I'm on my own but no longer able to know how to function, who I am or where I am....then obviously someone will step in and take over. I'd like to have my wits about me until the end, then I can decide for myself the quality of my life and where to go from there.
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This is my concern also. Plus my husband doesn’t share this same viewpoint and is younger than me.
I suppose this is where a living will needs to be made. We have no children .
Anybody else share opposite viewpoints with your significant other ?
If so, what was your solution?
 

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