For those seventy, and older: Are you happy? What is the quality of your life?

treeguy64

treeguy64

Hari Om, y'all!
Location
Austin, TX.
I suppose I could put a tick the box survey together, but I'd rather hear some exposition on why, or why not, your life at 70+ is a happy/unhappy one. (NOTE: I have taken out my request for a number, based on how happy you are.)

I got this idea from reading the thoughts of others, both in here and on other sites, when they hear of someone dying at any age under seventy (or even older). Almost always, they include a line like, "He/she was so young. That's too young to die." This got me thinking about what age I view as too young to die.

I hope this thread is seen by everyone in here. I know there are threads on loneliness and various illnesses, and I'd like to get input from everyone 70+, not just those who continuously let us know how perfect their lives are, these days.

Please respect my 70+ age listing. I could weigh in, in here, but I'm 66, so I don't want to violate my own parameter.

Thanks!
 

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I don't answer anything with numbers.

I am 70 and very happy. I'm probably not gleeful too often. Whatever gleeful is. I think my happiness and joy comes from living with a person who gets up before I do and makes me coffee and toast every morning. He always acts like he's happy to see me. Also our 2 little dogs act act gleeful to see me and both try to be the one sitting closest to me on the couch when I get up each morning.

If my husband of 54 years dies before me it will probably be hard for me to keep up my happiness level for awhile. I'll have to work on that I'm sure. Probably he will outlive me as he eats better and exercises more. He is 74 and also happy and doesn't focus on being sick or his aches and pains. It's important to focus on what makes you happy and do what you enjoy doing.

I just noticed the OP said this: "not just those who continuously let us know how perfect their lives are, these days." So maybe I should add our life isn't perfect but we try to focus on what is good about it and thus we will hopefully attract more things to be happy about. But we have had things that weren't so perfect happy. We had our oldest son die just before he turned 50, my husband has had cancer including having a bowling ball size tumor and a grapefruit size tumor removed from his abdomen. Just this morning he called to make the appointed for his number 5 CT scan and if this goes OK they will call him cancer free. I think that's what they say after 5 years.

Lots of other things I could mention but I don't think there is any need to. But I'm hoping that people don't think that those of us who don't complain a lot and try to focus on the good aren't bragging or acting like our lives are perfect.
 

Well, I turn 80 next month, so I guess I qualify. Am I happy? I have no reason not to be. I’m a very lucky guy. I have a good wife, two fine sons, and a terrific granddaughter. Our house is small, but paid for. And, we get enough from social security, my pension, and a small IRA to get by.

I’m in better shape than a lot of people my age. I have minor aches and pains, but I don’t take any prescription drugs. I can still run. (for a short distance anyway) I know I should exercise, but I don’t.

I have simple pleasures. I’m an introvert, and I enjoy fiddling with things in my garage workshop. I’m not a party or club person. My wife isn’t either, so it works out OK.

I don’t worry much about my health anymore. I know my time is probably short. I’ve had my share. If I drop dead tomorrow, I’d have no complaints. I worry more about my wife. If she goes first, it will be tough. And,she has multiple health problems.

The thing I miss most is my hearing. It has deteriorated to the point that I can’t recognize familiar tunes. And, I used to really enjoy music.

At times, my wife has asked me if I’m depressed. I’m not really. But, I do spend time just sitting and thinking and I suppose I appear that way. Time to think comes with retirement. It can be a benefit or a curse. I try not to mull over things I can’t do anything about. There are a lot of bad things going on in the world. But this has always been the case and we have muddled through somehow. I expect we still will.

So, how do you put a number on that? Pick one. I don’t know.

Don
 
I'm 71 now and other than circumstances beyond one's control, health-wise, etc., I do believe that happiness is a state of mind. We know of folks who to us seemed to have it all, and then you hear of their suicides. I feel so lucky to have been born where and who I am, a free person. When I think of much of the places in the rest of world where just surviving makes you lucky, for me to say other than I am a happy person sounds kind of selfish to me. Those of us who are free people, we really need to try and do something that we can for those who don't have our more positive circumstances of life. The inequity of it all still stumps me.
 
I think happy is the wrong word....content would be better. I'm in my 70s now and I've had an interesting, varied life. After the demands of being a wife and mother, I'm pretty much free to do as I please, which is nice. Healthwise, I'm able to do all that I did when younger, so can still enjoy walking and cycling and enjoying the wonderful Yorkshire views. I do wonder how much my parents influenced the choices I made, and wish I had not rushed into marriage so early. My life is good, and I appreciate what I have.
 
Falcon said:
For a 95 year old, I'm very happy AND Healthy! No complaints.
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You remind of of my dad (I hope that doesn't insult you) in that he's 92 now and is just as happy as ever. To, me at that age I would be thinking of how long more do I have. He's never ever said anything like that. It goes to show how different we all can be. You at 95, to me is amazing with your attitude and thinking about life. And you still are interested in women. Wow, that's great.
 
I'll be 77 in a few weeks, and "Content" would probably describe me. I have a little arthritis which acts up a bit if I overdo it with my outdoor stuff, but an Aleve pill at bedtime takes care of that....maybe once or twice a week. No prescription drugs...just the morning vitamin pill and lutein pill(for the eyes). We're not rich (by media standards), but if we want to go blow a couple hundred at the casino, we're not flirting with grocery money. On balance, compared to many others I know, I could call myself an 8 or 9 on a scale of 10.
 
treeguy64 said:
but I'd rather hear some exposition on why, or why not, your life at 70+ is a happy/unhappy one.
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Being basically an old curmudgeon and always seeing the word as half empty let me surprise you by starting with the reason why I am not sad. I have two wonderful children and three grandchildren that turn this old mans frown into a smile whenever I am with them or think about them. My son makes me feel so proud because I believe should be granted sainthood for how peacefully he handles his everyday life balancing family, work and an autistic son. My one wish in this life is I get to see that little boy hug his dad and say 'I love you dad'. I have an nice apartment with the necessary air-conditioning to battle the Texas heat and just the right amount of income at the moment to ensure I do not have to worry about that.

The half empty comes from lack of awareness.... When I lived for 20 years in Alaska In never thought or dwelt on what I was experiencing literally every day. The daily adventures, (because of living in a remote isolated cabin), the truly spectacular panoramas that millions of people in the lower 48 states spend thousands of dollars to come and enjoy was in essence my neighborhood and at no time did I stop and cherish those moments... never stopping to realize that they may never be repeated. Now three years in Texas and health and weight getting worse by the month I know I can no longer just jump in my truck and drive the 4,800 miles home like I did so many times before. Like in the photo below with my son and I in it.

I will not give up hope and every night go to bed with the thought that tomorrow I will work on my health and get back home,
but if that does not work it is in my will to have my ashes brought back and spread at an even more remote camp site off the Yukon river.

IMG_7727.jpg

https://kl1hbalaska.wordpress.com/about/
 
I'm in the "older" category. I tell folks that in only 15 years I will be 100. I think that is a positive attitude.

Ageing is a process of giving up. We have given up flying and cruising, but greatly enjoy the memories of trips we have made in the past.
 
I’m 74 next February I class myself as reasonably fit for my age
We dance ballroom twice a week walk up, to 5 km a day when not dancing ,about 6 months ago I had to walk on the treadmill at cardiology who I see one a year for a check up on my BP ,I was able to do 8 minutes on the treadmill the same as they expect a 40 year old to do.
So anyone who thinks someone who’s over 70 has one foot in the grave think again ....I’ve proved I’m far fitter than allot of
people far younger than myself ..I prove this most time I’m / we are out shopping we can’t stand walking at a snails pace behind people in shopping malls, and I’m not taking about “old” people ..Australia has recently earned the most obese country in the world status :what1: and you don’t need to read papers to know that.

I recently bought a fitness watch just to have a record of how many steps I/ we do a day
It was freezing out side yesterday so I only did 6.000 steps

So the answer to your question tree guy is yes ....the only thing as mentioned in another thread that knocks us around is loosing our dear friends
 
I'll be 72 in a few months. I'm content with life and reasonably happy. My life isn't what I planned it to be....it's better in some ways and worse in others.

I have three little girls in my life (and another showing up any day now) and I'd like to live to see them grow up. I don't want to live, though, past the time when life is no longer "good". I've seen that too much in my extended family......people hanging on for dear life when life is no longer dear.
 
I'm happy and content with my life. I'll be 74 next month. I have a lot of me time to pursue my many projects. I have achy knees and get mad at myself because I get tired quicker and it takes me longer to accomplish what I'd like to get done. My only worry are health issues in the future and not being able to keep the house up to par due to major repairs etc.

The hubby is 80 and sits in the recliner all day in front of the TV. Maybe I will also when I reach that age,who knows but I hope not.

Many of our friends and relatives now have health issues and some have passed on. Not as many around the table for holidays. I miss the good old table talk with people my own age.

As good as my life is I really don't want to be the last man standing.
 


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