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Original poster

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

207 replies

Deardanielle · 29/10/2023 23:10

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 🤣

OP posts:
FatherJackHackettsUnderpantsHamper · 30/10/2023 09:56

Personally I think euthanasia should be legal ( maybe to over 80s?)

The only problem with that is when older people face pressure and coercion from others to 'do the right thing'. I believe this has happened already in countries where euthanasia is legal.

It's one thing to be feeling in yourself that you've probably had enough; but quite a different thing when you're enjoying your life, but are surrounded by people grumbling that you've already outstayed your welcome - especially once the whole social credit system is rolled out.

Even if you're in good health and not troubling anybody, but the very fact that you're still alive after 80+ years is enough to make people stare at you and mutter about how selfish and greedy you are. Don't you care that your grandchildren are struggling to get on the housing ladder whilst you're still needlessly clinging on to yours instead of doing 'the decent thing'? Horrific.

CMOTDibbler · 30/10/2023 10:02

If I could be in good health and mind to 82 (not even perfect health, but self caring) I'd be happy to do that. My parents were both really ill from 65 and died at 82 and 78, no one in my family has been great in old age anyway

KingsleyBorder · 30/10/2023 10:11

FatherJackHackettsUnderpantsHamper · 30/10/2023 09:56

Personally I think euthanasia should be legal ( maybe to over 80s?)

The only problem with that is when older people face pressure and coercion from others to 'do the right thing'. I believe this has happened already in countries where euthanasia is legal.

It's one thing to be feeling in yourself that you've probably had enough; but quite a different thing when you're enjoying your life, but are surrounded by people grumbling that you've already outstayed your welcome - especially once the whole social credit system is rolled out.

Even if you're in good health and not troubling anybody, but the very fact that you're still alive after 80+ years is enough to make people stare at you and mutter about how selfish and greedy you are. Don't you care that your grandchildren are struggling to get on the housing ladder whilst you're still needlessly clinging on to yours instead of doing 'the decent thing'? Horrific.

I’ll take your word for it but I have never in my life heard anyone refer to a person in their eighties with anything other than affection and admiration, and pride about the “good genes” if it is their own relative. Who on earth are these vile people who are saying these things?

jlpth · 30/10/2023 10:12

I’d take 82 any day of the week. Nobody in my family or dh family makes it that far!

ManAboutTown · 30/10/2023 10:26

FatherJackHackettsUnderpantsHamper · 30/10/2023 09:56

Personally I think euthanasia should be legal ( maybe to over 80s?)

The only problem with that is when older people face pressure and coercion from others to 'do the right thing'. I believe this has happened already in countries where euthanasia is legal.

It's one thing to be feeling in yourself that you've probably had enough; but quite a different thing when you're enjoying your life, but are surrounded by people grumbling that you've already outstayed your welcome - especially once the whole social credit system is rolled out.

Even if you're in good health and not troubling anybody, but the very fact that you're still alive after 80+ years is enough to make people stare at you and mutter about how selfish and greedy you are. Don't you care that your grandchildren are struggling to get on the housing ladder whilst you're still needlessly clinging on to yours instead of doing 'the decent thing'? Horrific.

I'm not quite sure we're at this stage yet but it doesn't take a vivid imagination to see it happening in the next 20 years.

The countries that have legalised euthanasia (Canada and Netherlands in particular) seem to suffer from mission creep where the reasons expand over time.

There are a lot of questions about provision of social care though - it's tough once mobility goes (as well as things like eyesight) let alone the onset of dementia. Just hope I'm always able to make my own decisions

BIossomtoes · 30/10/2023 10:30

82 is young in my family - my parents were 97 and 99 when they died. I’d rather it was 90.

BestIsWest · 30/10/2023 10:33

My DF did actually die at 82 from a heart attack at home. He had no cognitive decline at all- was very sharp though he hadn’t been fully physically fit for a few months.

I loved him and miss him terribly and wish I could have had more time with him but I also know he hated the physical decline he was undergoing. He also had a great life and did pretty much everything he wanted to do.
I was relieved in a way for him.

tinkerbellvspredator · 30/10/2023 10:37

I'd take 82 even with some.health problems or dementia. Because it would mean I wouldn't be getting early onset Alzheimers like one of my parents and dying before 60 which is my greatest fear.

Lifestooshort71 · 30/10/2023 10:40

It's not knowing when you go but how you go that* *matters to me. My sister was diagnosed with stage 4 terminal cancer and her outlook was bleak - went to bed one night and never woke up, treatment hadn't even started. She was 67. I'm past that age now but, to go peacefully in my sleep one night? Yes, that'll do for me and I don't mind at what age as I won't know anything about it!

Rollercoaster1920 · 30/10/2023 10:41

If I sign up then does that mean I'm not going to die in a war, car accident or other such mishap?

If so then yes, and I'm going to become a stunt double and extreme sports star with yooftube and Instagran income streams. Possibly also become a real life Avenger.

My children would love that.

EwwSprouts · 30/10/2023 10:43

I've always said give me a good life then a heart attack at 80. Most people do not have decent last decade at all. My view is coloured by the awful last five years of my MIL life in a decent care home but with horrendous health issues.

ManAboutTown · 30/10/2023 10:44

Rollercoaster1920 · 30/10/2023 10:41

If I sign up then does that mean I'm not going to die in a war, car accident or other such mishap?

If so then yes, and I'm going to become a stunt double and extreme sports star with yooftube and Instagran income streams. Possibly also become a real life Avenger.

My children would love that.

Brilliant.

I'm hoping to die of sexual exhaustion aged 97

AgnesX · 30/10/2023 10:46

Being older now, I want to spend the remainder of my life comfortably (financially) and in good health. Life must be a bit miserable if you struggle with either or both of these things.

Hbh17 · 30/10/2023 10:47

82 is a bit late! I'm 58, and I'd be happy with mid 60s.

AFieldGuideToTrees · 30/10/2023 10:48

Is this a family who tend to die young? Otherwise I can't see the appeal.

Both sides of my family have tended to die in their 90s so 82 would be a bit drastic!

Saschka · 30/10/2023 10:49

KingsleyBorder · 30/10/2023 10:11

I’ll take your word for it but I have never in my life heard anyone refer to a person in their eighties with anything other than affection and admiration, and pride about the “good genes” if it is their own relative. Who on earth are these vile people who are saying these things?

Show quote history

People with caring responsibilities they resent (personal care isn’t covered by social services in all countries). People awaiting an inheritance or house. And some people are just cunts.

applesofthesun · 30/10/2023 10:52

No.

  1. I'm in very good health, exercise, teetotal, don't smoke etc so the indicators are positive.
  1. I know of too many people (not an extremely large number, but enough) beyond 82 who are still fairly active and enjoying their lives.
  1. I wouldn't like to linger in pain, and poor quality of life, until 82.
FatherJackHackettsUnderpantsHamper · 30/10/2023 10:59

I’ll take your word for it but I have never in my life heard anyone refer to a person in their eighties with anything other than affection and admiration, and pride about the “good genes” if it is their own relative. Who on earth are these vile people who are saying these things?

I'm not saying it's (currently) a common thing for people to say or think; but I can well see which way the wind could blow.

Whilst most of us do respect and value the elderly people in our society, it's human nature for a lot of people to look at what other people have that they may covet and transfer their grievances on to those people themselves. Look at the common attitude to the immigrants "taking our jobs and homes."

Once we reach a point whereby the expectation is no longer that we will preserve life as a matter of course (except maybe when there is no more hope at all and people are clearly in their final hours), everybody's life will become a value judgment - and maybe seen as up for negotiation - rather than an assumed given. When people see it that you have the freedom to actively give up your life, some will start to see it as your duty to do so, once you reach a certain age or health circumstances.

ManAboutTown · 30/10/2023 10:59

What's the saying ...

If you don't smoke, don't drink and don't chase women you may not live to be 100 but it will feel like it

BIossomtoes · 30/10/2023 11:01

Hbh17 · 30/10/2023 10:47

82 is a bit late! I'm 58, and I'd be happy with mid 60s.

I bet you’ve changed your mind by 2030!

ebts · 30/10/2023 11:02

That would only give me another 10 years or so. I've got far too many places to visit, people to love, things to learn to fit into that time scale. Give me to 92 please!

FatherJackHackettsUnderpantsHamper · 30/10/2023 11:05

If I sign up then does that mean I'm not going to die in a war, car accident or other such mishap?

If so then yes, and I'm going to become a stunt double and extreme sports star with yooftube and Instagran income streams. Possibly also become a real life Avenger.

My children would love that.

Grin Grin Grin

But if this theoretical contract only guarantees your actual life, there's nothing to say that you will be guaranteed a fit, healthy, able-bodied life - just one where you aren't technically dead until the agreed time.

Iactuallydidit · 30/10/2023 11:07

No…I don’t like the thought of knowing. My grandparents on DM side were both living fit, valuable and fairly active lives at 82 and had lots of things to feel joyful about eg grandchildren. Imagine being in good health at 81 and then watching the clock tick down to 82nd birthday! No thanks! Can’t believe PP in here wanting to go even earlier…but then can also see it would be pretty bad tk have health issues etc.

ManAboutTown · 30/10/2023 11:08

ebts · 30/10/2023 11:02

That would only give me another 10 years or so. I've got far too many places to visit, people to love, things to learn to fit into that time scale. Give me to 92 please!

I'm 58 and I've done a lot but never seen the Taj Mahal or Great Wall of China so I'm out there for the next 20 years

Ponderingwindow · 30/10/2023 11:11

Do I get a guarantee of being relatively healthy and dementia free until 82 if I sign up? Where is the contract, I will sign up right now.