Do You Fear Growing Old?

pchinvegas said:
... I say we start a movement to revamp the nursing homes, get some fun activities. Good music, install some poles etc. hahah
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TWHRider said:
I swear I saw pole dancing for seniors, on some TV special - or maybe that is strong wishful thinking that I've convinced myself is reality - lol lol ...
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Whoa ... I'll tell you this: when I was working as a bouncer at strip clubs I often saw ladies on the pole who probably could have gotten the "Ride All Day For Free" senior discount on the bus line.

The funny thing was, many of them outperformed the younger ones. Whether it was because of experience or cunning or a little of both, their movements were far more refined, far more classy than the usual grab-and-spin. I won't say they did the "Superman" or the "Inverted Cross" or routinely went to the top of the 20' pole, but somehow they just seemed to retain their dignity - at least as far as possible in such circumstances.

I would think senior pole-dancing classes would be a hoot! You'd probably have to have wheelchair-accessible poles though, along with thick wrestling mats underneath, hand-grips and non-slip paint on the pole, and one of those little grabber-things to pick up their clothes when they're done with their set. ;)

"And now, fellas, drop your ****** and give a warm welcome to Niagra! We call her that because she's famous for her falls!"
 

It's too late for me to fear growing old. I see it in the mirror every morning. I dread getting to a point where I can't be independent and take care of myself anymore. I don't think anyone wants to live" like that.

As my husband puts it, "If we get lucky, we'll be safely dead first".
 
My genes are confused. On my father's side, everybody died by the age 50 from heart attacks. On my mother's side, they all live well into their 90's.
I'm 56, so I've already outlived my father by 10 years. He didn't fear death after his second heart attack and an out-of-body experience. I guess his description of that event has colored my perspective on death as well. I don't fear death, but I won't without a fight. Dylan Thomas had it right, IMO.
[h=2]DO NOT GO GENTLE INTO
THAT GOOD NIGHT[/h]
[FONT=arial, helvetica]Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rage at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light. And you, my father, there on the sad height,
Curse, bless me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
[/FONT]​
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​
 

Growing old and dying are two peas in the same pod. Can I do anything to avoid either or both - short of suicide, I mean? Nope. Sure can't.

I've looked over the Jordan River a couple of times since my heart surgery in '95. It is a sure thing that I can't avoid crossing one day, so I accept it. It will be as natural as birth, I reckon.

So no, I don't fear growing old. But as others have said, I sure don't want to end up in diapers and hugging a Teddy Bear.
 
My father died at 65. My mother died at 95. I'm 71 and I hope I got her family side for my genes. Both of her parents died in their 90s.

I take no medicine at all except one 500mg metformin tablet a day for blood sugar.

I can still do everything I've always been able to do.
 
FishWisher said:
I've looked over the Jordan River a couple of times since my heart surgery in '95. It is a sure thing that I can't avoid crossing one day, so I accept it. It will be as natural as birth, I reckon ...
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You're lucky - you're looking at the River Jordan - that's a GREAT view compared to mine ...

il_570xN_zps77d895d7.jpg


The River Styx

Kind of looks like the Hudson River back in the '70's ... :eek:
 
Pappy said:
He'll no. Bring it on. But when it comes, make it quick. I don't want to be dependent on people having to wipe everything. My dad is 97 and lives in an assistant facility but still cares for himself very well. Iwo Jima vet and smart as a whip.Bless you Dad.
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I agree, Pappy - that's the one thing that I've actually ever feared. But I've taken steps to ensure that fear never materializes, so really it isn't a fear any longer. ;)
 
When I am an old woman I shall wear purple
With a red hat which doesn't go, and doesn't suit me.
And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves
And satin sandals, and say we've no money for butter.
I shall sit down on the pavement when I'm tired
And gobble up samples in shops and press alarm bells
And run my stick along the public railings
And make up for the sobriety of my youth.
I shall go out in my slippers in the rain
And pick flowers in other people's gardens
And learn to spit.

You can wear terrible shirts and grow more fat
And eat three pounds of sausages at a go
Or only bread and pickle for a week
And hoard pens and pencils and beermats and things in boxes.

But now we must have clothes that keep us dry
And pay our rent and not swear in the street
And set a good example for the children.
We must have friends to dinner and read the papers.

But maybe I ought to practice a little now?
So people who know me are not too shocked and surprised
When suddenly I am old, and start to wear purple.


Jenny Joseph
 
I'm afraid of illness, and I'm afraid of losing my independence. I'm afraid of what will happen when I die: how much it will hurt and how much regret I'll feel over things I failed to accomplish before I'm gone. I'm afraid of ageism, and the terrible prejudice it creates. All that said, I'm not afraid of growing old. In itself, growing old is a privilege that many have failed to enjoy. My father, and his father before him died young. I'm certain they both would have preferred to grow old.
 
Derby said:
I'm afraid of illness, and I'm afraid of losing my independence. I'm afraid of what will happen when I die: how much it will hurt and how much regret I'll feel over things I failed to accomplish before I'm gone. I'm afraid of ageism, and the terrible prejudice it creates. All that said, I'm not afraid of growing old. In itself, growing old is a privilege that many have failed to enjoy. My father, and his father before him died young. I'm certain they both would have preferred to grow old.
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My thoughts exactly, Derby.
 
I never think about dying, I am aiming at 150 years and
at 77 this year I am around middle age, maybe I shouldn't
be a member here, I am too young!

In the UK we are lucky, more so than in the USA, as our
healthcare is free and although we hear some awful tales
about old peoples homes, if I ever have to go into one then
I know now that I wouldn't know then how they are treating
me.

So don't worry, enjoy what you have and will have tomorrow
and in the future, you all have done well to reach the age that
you have and that is a bonus.

"You die if you worry and you die if you don't worry, so why worry"?
That is one saying that I learned when I was younger, a lot younger.

Mike.
 
I'm 85 in a couple of months. I'm more inclined to fear growing TOO old. Older for me just means losing more independence. I enjoy being in charge of my life, having the freedom to do as I please when I please.
 
Derby said:
I'm afraid of illness, and I'm afraid of losing my independence. I'm afraid of what will happen when I die: how much it will hurt and how much regret I'll feel over things I failed to accomplish before I'm gone. I'm afraid of ageism, and the terrible prejudice it creates. All that said, I'm not afraid of growing old. In itself, growing old is a privilege that many have failed to enjoy. My father, and his father before him died young. I'm certain they both would have preferred to grow old.
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This is worth reading again
 
I read somewhere that people fear the ''process of dying'' more than fear death itself. I agree. I am not really afraid of death, I am afraid of losing my independence, or dying from a long or painful illness, or becoming wheelchair dependent, or losing my mind to Alzheimer or dementia. Death is only the Final Sleep.
 

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