How old do you want to live to...

[Fastloveinyoureyes]

Disclaimer: I work in a hospital setting which sees an awful lot of elderly people. Before I started working there I would've said 'as long as possible'

Two years down the line...not so much.

I'm sure we all know someone who's 101 and living a fabulous life, but for the majority, 85 and upwards is no bloody fun at all. A slow descent into falling apart, increasing hospital admissions, more and more meds, falls, dementia and then death in some hospital bed because you fell over and hit your head and nobody noticed you were more confused than normal.

I'm going for 75-80. After that I think i'd be happy to shuffle off this mortal coil

80 ish I think for me. Don't fancy falling apart mentally or physically. Want to be well up to 80 ish and then have a nice peaceful quick death.

90s I hope. I work with elderly people too. My strategy is to stay fit and active, to stay interested in life and the people round me, to take advantage of activities on offer for older folks to keep me sociable and cheerful.
I hope I stay in reasonable health but that's largely beyond my control so there's no point worrying about it until it happens.

Dementia runs in my family and in my opinion can be a fate worse than death. If I happen to make it to old age and start showing the signs I've asked my husband choke me out ... On the other hand, I have made peace with dying at any age and it makes me appreciate every single day, no matter how mundane.

90-92 ish.
Most of my my family seem to live till late 80s-early 90s in quite good health, then die quickly with few cases of dementia.
My nonna is 86 and still lives independently and is as sharp as she ever was.

(They mostly live in rural Italy though, I wander if i'll get as lucky as ive been exposed to more pollution and processed foods etc)

Similarly my lovely aunt (dads much older sister) is 90 years old and has just flown to UK from South Africa to spend time with her children who have flown in to UK from all over the world.

Bright as a button, still texting, WhatsApping and FaceTiming - I'd love to be as fabulous as she is at 90.

102 and then die in a freak sky-diving accident .

Totally depends on health. I want to go like my seemingly very fit and active dad who died sitting on the terrace in the sun having a coffee, totally without warning. He was 84.

I wasn't fussed on making 25, yet here I am at 58. I am healthy and reasonably fit. Truth is, I'm here so that my daughter has one living parent for a bit longer. Other than that, I don't need to be here anymore. 5 years would suit me, particularly if she finds someone who loves her and whom she loves.

@fussychica I would love to go out like that. Bless your Dad.

I am scared of dying so if I can find a vampire forever sounds good. In reality as long as possible but only if I am healthy enough to enjoy it.

I was thinking about this the other day. I have no DCs so my plan is to retire somewhere between 55 and 60ish (only 10 years to go!), then ideally pop my clogs in a quick and painless fashion by about 75. I think that gives me enough time and funds to enjoy my early retirement without worrying about a penniless frail old age with no family support. Not sure how DH would feel about it though, he's a bit younger than me!

As long as I can get. Plus completely healthy until painless end. Why not wish for the best!

Most members of my family seem to be able to stay reasonably active until their late 80s, so if the same applies to me I have no particular reason to want to go earlier. My parents are 87, still living at home, cooking, looking after their boats, making excursions, reading a lot, gardening, my mother still does a lot of sewing and plays the piano. They have never owned a car, walk everywhere. So far, a very good quality of life.

My grandfather was also active well into his 80s. My great-aunt, at the age of 85 (I think) gave a large dinner party (cooking all the food) to her friends, had a lovely time, heart-attack the next day and went. Sounds pretty ideal.

My father-in-law was mildly disabled since his teens, but was still active into his 90s and died after a short illness. He enjoyed life until the last few days.

Would hate to have to retire early: I'm 55 and feel my career is only just getting going (spent a lot of time as a carer when younger); have so much I want to write before I'm gone.

Until im a burden. I dont want my kids to think that im exactly that.

My grandparents were still really active at 88/89, driving, socialising, even weekly badminton playing!

Then one had a health crisis and the other also deteriorated rapidly. They went from being happy and energetic to longer wanting to be here just like that and the last few years were very difficult for them.

I don't think you can set a time limit, you just can't predict what will happen and when.

I used to think 60 but now I think George Michael age, which I think was 53. In reality my mum needs to go before me though, it would be terrible for her to outlive me.

As long as I’m relatively healthy, can still feed myself, wash myself and wipe my own arse, then I’m happy to shuffle along to whatever age really!

My grandparents (the 3 that are still alive) are all in their mid to late 80’s. Maternal grandfather is fit as a fiddle! He’s never had more than a bout of the flu in his life. He’s pretty much a carer for my Babcia (grandma). She’s a few years younger than him, but has suffered with horrendous arthritis for years - but other than that she’s pretty healthy. The arthritis only really affects her mobility and stops her from doing things she previously enjoyed like cooking and sewing because her hands are quite badly affected
My paternal grandmother is in abysmal shape bless her She was always a very fit, up-and-about kind of woman who appeared younger than she was. But a minor stroke and a couple of pretty serious falls in the last 10 years have really affected her health and happiness - she really does seem pretty miserable with her lot. And honestly I don’t think she will be with us much longer. As awful as it sounds, I don’t think I could handle being so healthy and independent one minute, and then have that so abruptly snatched away like she has.

So hard! Maybe 75 but I have a degenerative health condition so any time before that gets too bad. BUT i'm so scared about leaving my eldest son who has ASD and it keeps me awake at night.

I'm actually quitting nursing at the end of this year, after 30 years in the job. Palliative care provision is so poor that I can't take it anymore. They aggressively treat people who have no quality of life and refuse to allow a natural death. The suffering these poor people experience is awful and I need to walk away.

I'm planning on going between 68-72 depending on how my health and mobility fare. Various reasons mean I'm not destined for a long life, but I don't mind that and I always make the best of what I have.

There are definitely worse things than death.

I haven't given much thought to age but one of my granddads was in near perfect health and totally independent until a heart attack killed him instantly, totally out of the blue, at 89. That's how I'd like to go.

If I'm well and able anything north of 85 would do me.

I hate that people have to die in horrible circumstances sometimes. It would be so nice of we could reach the age we've chosen and have a lovely send off like you're going on a lovely holiday, then just fall asleep for good.

@ineedaknittedhat I totally agree. A peaceful death is much better than a dreadful life.

85 ish would suit me

I'm 50 now, if ds has children when he's say 30 I'll be 65 (big assumption, but I'd love to be a granny!). Would like to see them grow up so at least 85 sounds good, but my mum is 80+ now and very frail/chronically ill so maybe not.

All depends on what my 85, if I even reach it, would look like! Guess I just need to wait and see.

About 75 or earlier if health is failing