To think not everyone wants to live a long time?

[jennymanara]

I am friends with someone who works in health education and we have talked about this. She thinks that anyone who is not very depressed wants to live a long time, and all they need is to know how to do this.

I think a lot of people actually do not want to live a long time. Even for many physically healthy people very old age can be a harsh time. Many people are very lonely, constant bereavements is an ordinary part of the territory, and seeing loved ones die from painful illnesses is tough.

Laurie I didn't see anyone "othering"

Yanbu! Me and fiancé feel the same - don't want to live into our 90s!

I've never really wanted to live past 60

Not a specific person Autumn

Just the idea that the 'elderly' and anyone younger are different. The older I get the less difference I see

Ive never really wanted to live past 60

I'm 60 in 10 years, I can't even imagine this - are you depressed/dying already?

Possibly but I wouldn't consider myself depressed

I live a pretty healthy and active life and the idea of not being able to do that I do find a very disturbing thought

I am also resigned to the fact that I will, most likely, live to 60 and beyond, I'm not gonna enforce it! but no male member of my family has lived much beyond that either

Was actually wondering about this the other day. I've felt like this since I was a teenager and assumed it would change as I got older but it hasn't

I would hate to live a long life and do nothing with my later years and be in constant pain (like my DM) equally I would hate to see my life cut short at 60 with a painful but short illness (like my DDad).

As long as I can be active, not be in (too much) pain and be useful to someone then I'm happy to live as long as possible, once those criteria are gone I would rather choose to end it.
I think we are kinder to our pets than we are to the older generation. We have an old dog and we are watching her degenerate. When it is time we will put her out of her misery. I hope someone will do the same for me.

YANBU DH’s gran lived to over 100 and was in good health but she often said how lonely she was as her friends and sisters were dead. Sometimes she would breakdown crying because of it. It was heartbreaking to see her so sad.

I want to live as long as I can live independently, comfortable, not in pain. I've watched grandparents get debilitating diseases in their 60s-70s (not always self inflicted) I'd rather go at 70 quickly in good health than at 90 in a care home, lonely, or in pain.

I'd choose my Nana's life and death which ended at 65 over my Granny who lived with strokes from her 70s till her death at 80.

The problem with all this is the spectre of people being pressured to end their lives because to others they appear to have nothing to live for - let's say they have disabilities, chronic health conditions, or have no close family / friends left. If we want people to have free choice to end their lives when they're ready, we also have to defend people who want to go on living, however worthless their existence might look to others. Because it will need defending.

I would like to see my children establish themselves and have families of their own. Ideally, I'd like to see any grandchildren grow up too. I had my children quite late in life. If they follow suit, I won't be a grandmother until I'm in my 70s.

I'm not far off 60, and I'm certainly not nearly ready to go yet!

I'd like to at least live to see 85 and great grandchildren. Both my grandmothers are this age, two of my great grandmothers lived to 90 and another to 80, and I have many other relatives over 75 still living a happy and fulfilling life.

Old age is tough, you're right op.
We aren't talking here old age = nice days out with the gran kids, we're talking old age = too infirm to leave the house alone, friends and partner gone, relying on care from home helps, days and days rolling into one.

That's old age.

We aren't talking here old age = nice days out with the gran kids, we're talking old age = too infirm to leave the house alone, friends and partner gone, relying on care from home helps, days and days rolling into one.

That's old age

See, I would consider old age to be 75+ and that health is a separate thing to age. My 85 year old grandmother still enjoys 'nice days out with the (great) gran kids'.

It's easy to think you won't want to live when you're old when you're still young. Most people's idea of 'old' seems to move as they age!

YANBU I'd be happy to go in my 50s/60s

Happy to die once all my responsibilities are done

Had enough of my chronic illness and disability and being badly treated by nhs. Was told as a teenager I wouldn’t reach the age I was 11 years ago. I’ve been ready for a while.

Once my kids are independent financially
Me is done

@mokapot crikey I will only be 47 by the time my youngest is 21, I hope I'm not done by then! I think I needed my mum more in my 20s and 30s than I did as a teenager, not for money, I see my parents as a lot more than a bank balance!

Living too long is watching all your children and grandchildren die and you carry on living. Living a long and healthy life in retirement and getting to see your children have children is what I would strive for. I don't intend to spend it feeling depressed!

I want to live as long as I'm healthy but not so long I live to start losing my independence, health or memory. I don't want to live to depend on anyone else.

I don't mind the thought of having a long life, as long as I'm not dependant or a burden on anybody. I can think of nothing worse than having to be assisted with everything because I can't look after myself.

@purpleolive...I guess it been a long 40 years already and I feel utterly tired.

Whilst I support assisted dying ... many old
People don’t want to die ! And terminal
Disease is always shit so matter how
Old you are
The will to live is a surprisingly tenacious one