If you were offered a guarantee to die at 82 just now, would you take it?

[Deardanielle]

Okay, weird one! It was a relatives funeral the other week (died at 82, very short illness) and my dad said to a friend that if we got the option to sign up to die at 82 now we would obviously all take it. Everyone was agreeing but in my head I was thinking, I feel that’s a bit of a gamble when I could potentially make it to 90+. Obviously quality of life is important and you’d ideally not need to be in a care home for those years, would depend what age you are now etc but aside from all of that, would you agree to go at 82? Or what age would you take if you were offered it and you could live the rest of your life happily knowing you wouldn’t die til then? Happy Sunday all 🤣

I've seen many people deteriorate after 85, so I would rather go with that (although I might think differently if I get to 85!)

85. I want quality of life, no being in pain, no drawn out illness. I want to be able to take a pill when I decide and float away. Unfortunately most of this is not possible, or certainly the last one harder than it used to be because of more stringent guidelines.

I would take it as I have quite low socioeconomic status so statistically probably won't live to 82.

I'd pick 70-75 tbh but don't have a pension or property so likely to be either working until I die or else destitute. Don't really want to be working into my eighties as even in good health I imagine that would be utterly exhausting.

I would be happy to go at 85 if I could avoid dementia or too much pain. My Dad died when he was 63 from his first but massive heart attack. He had no previous symptoms and got up early on his birthday, looking forward to us taking him out for a nice meal, but died when he was eating breakfast and knew nothing about what happened. My mum, on the other hand, was always incredible for her age and was still fairly fit and healthy when she turned 90, albeit with some health issues which didn't affect her quality of life too badly. Then she developed dementia and her last four years were a living nightmare. I know she would have traded several years of her life to have died instantly at a younger age like my dad.

I have recently just watched Paul McCartney play a 3 hour concert with no breaks, and him taking just one sip of water. Paul's age is 81. You don't envisage him slowing down anytime soon, his cognitive and mobility is the same as anyone 20 years younger than him. So no, 82 is still an age to be living.

No.
I don’t want to know now when I’m going to die.
There would be so many disadvantages.

82 seems like a good innings. I wouldn't feel short changed by that. But then I saw a parent die of cancer at 55, so it's all about perspective I guess. If they had lived to 82, I'd have had 2 of my life times with them.

It's very sobering, isn't it? I recently realised that, in under two weeks' time, I will have lived more of my life without my parents living than I did with them alive - and I'm 46.

It's definitely pointless only having a number/age, though, and no other info. It's like asking if people would like to live in Paris, without ever specifying whether they would reside in the presidential suite in a swanky luxury hotel the whole time or huddled in a shop doorway in a rough suburb where all the drug addicts hang out.

I always think when you read of scientists claiming that we could all be living to 150 before too long; it sounds great if your body were to 'lock in' at 25 and then you have another 125 years of that, with your mind staying sharp and healthy and only gathering more wisdom and wonderful experiences over the years. However, if you look at your average 100yo's quality of life and then imagine deteriorating from that for another 5 decades, the shine rather wears off.

My DGM died a few years ago at almost 98, but she had a life full of sorrow, abuse and severe mental illness, not to mention plenty of physical problems on top of that. But for the odd moment here and there, it was most clearly not a happy life at all. If I could theoretically choose to have had my life (which has hardly been Arcadia) and then be gone by 49, in three years' time; or otherwise have had her life of double that time, I would jump at the former option in a heartbeat.

I think I'd opt for an even younger age if I could. Say 70 or 75. I'd be happy to live that long. I've seen too many healthy people die young and people live to be 80+ but have very little quality of life.

I don't expect to last quite that long. I already have a disabling illness and an extra diagnosis every year or so. Despite my shitty quality of life, though, I do enjoy being alive - it's a young person's cruelty to look at people like me and assert "I'd rather be dead".

The worst thing about this cruelty is that people internalise it. My daft mother's been rabbiting on about how she "should" be dead since her early seventies. She's 93. This year, she has developed more difficult conditions but she's had a bloody good time up until now!

If the 82 guarantee comes with a healthier body than I've currently got, it's a gamble I'll take. Otherwise, let those chips fall where they may!

I would happily go at 60, I'm 57 now with several autoimmune conditions. I see ds spending half his life running around looking after his dad & I don't want to create a situation where he needs to care for me as well. My mum is 85 & once she has gone I would be happy to pop off any time. Other than ds I have no family, I have no friends. I really hope that the law changes & assisted dying is accepted so that anyone can choose a time where they have had enough, take the medicine where they choose & drift off.

Both sets of my grandparents lived well into their 90's. Only became seriously ill / frail about 12-18 months before they passed away....
So, I'd take my chances.and decline the offer!

Absolutely not. I know of plenty 80+ year olds who are fit, healthy & living a great life. 3 of my closest friends still have both parents - all in their 80s & still very active

Absolutely.

I used to live in fear of death. Then I watched my parents get into their 80s and die, and now my greatest fear is living too long. It was brutal.

My grandparent was still pretty active & mentally sharp at 90, they went downhill quite quickly after. However they were fitter than me at about 85 so I can't imagine I'd be in great shape at 82 if even still alive.
Personally rather than set age where could still be active & well, I'd like euthanasia option like we have for pets so you can call time well before your suffering. Tho can imagine a future will need to work till we drop and retirement/care homes or life extenders are the preserve of the rich and everyone else will end up saving for the all inclusive dispatch holiday.

I'm aiming for 80 and no more. I'm fit and healthy at 65 but dread becoming immobile and incapable.
I certainly don't want to be looked after

I'd prefer 90 as it's more in line with the women in my family. One great aunt is building a shed from pallets at 81.

If there was no horrid illness I'll take 90. My family history is late 80s - mid 90s. Mum's side sudden death, Dad's side few months of torturous cancer and then death.

I've said dignitas will be my 90th birthday present to myself.

I'd take 82 as long as DH gets 86. I wouldn't want to guarantee 4 years without him.

This totally. I have seen with grandparents the pain and suffering of lingering. I wouldn’t want that for myself. I have also changed my mind on care. I’d rather have money to spend to have a choice than be dependent on council funding and the reduced choice that brings. When you get to a point where death feels like a blessing, that person has most likely lived too long.

Yes, but only if I could forget I'd taken the deal as soon as I agreed to it. I've seen enough family members long outlive their health not to value longevity for the sake of it, not all of whom were over 82 either.

Nope i have 3 great grandparents that made it over 100. One granddad died in an accident, but grandma was 98 and my other 2 grandparents are still alive and live by themselves at age 89 and 95. The only help they have is a cleaner once a week. They are still very fit. I think i have good genes to live long 😄

Having seen 2 grandparents with dementia in their 90s, I’d take 85.
DH’s DGM is 96 but she’s been bedbound since a fall last year. That’s no life either.

Nope - I am 77 already and making the most of ANY years I have left.

Long lived members of my family made it past 82 - several to 90+.

Not every 80 year old is ill, in pain. costing the NHS millions, taking up critical care in hospital, losing their mind. Many I know live as full a life as they can - and many still live alone.

Is it the longevity people are aiming for, or the certainty?

If your family have all died at 60, great, you've bought yourself 22 years. However, if your family all die at 80-100 say, then I'm sure the draw for them might be a finite/known date that they can plan their life around... I.e. get all their goodbyes in, make financial arrangements, see/do all they want to see/do.

I'd actually opt for the certainty.