To not want to live to an old age

[2sidesofcoins]

Reading the eldery parents board it has filled me with dread for old age. It has so many wealthy elderly people living in misery, too old to enjoy life anymore, no matter how wealthy.
My generation won't see much of retirement as it's pushed up to 70. We have 2 working parents, a lot more stress, enviromental toxins and will see life expectancy reduce very soon.
But the altenative of having my brain die while I am live on is terrifying. I think I'll be refusing antibiotic treatment and going out with the old persons friend Pneumonia!
I'm mid forties and pissed off at all the age related shite already (Reading glasses, stiff joints, looming menopause, inability to lose weight!!)

Won't be giving anything to put you out of your misery either though which is why I'm saving up for Dignitas now (45 y old).

Won't be giving anything to put you out of your misery either though

Absolutely, probably just be left without food and water

The reason I think he's been able to live to a fairly healthy old age, is keeping physically active, so with that in mind, I try to walk everywhere.

Not having to work post 59 was probably a big part. Lots underestimate the lack of stress on longevity, I assume he financially ok

I feel similar- absolutely terrified of old age but I’ve accepted the reality of it because I decided to have a child. It would be selfish of me not to embrace my life to the (possibly bitter!) end. Maybe I could be selfish if I was child-free but I’m not. I feel that people who choose to have children have a duty to be in the best health they can for as long as possible. Maybe that’s a sacrifice you make when you choose to have kids. It’s never just about you ever again

The time to decide how you feel about getting old is when you’re approaching it very fast. It’s one thing at forty to say you don’t want to be eighty. Ask yourself the same question at seventy. I don’t want to be old but as the saying goes it’s better than the alternative.

It's a real possibility with increased chronic illness related to lifestyle factors such as obesity.

Anecdotally and generally speaking, I've worked in elderly care for the past 10 years, I've noticed those in their late 80s/90s/100s on fewer medications than those in their 70s and early-mid 80s.

Longevity will certainly be impacted by lifestyle factors.

You may wish to consider an Advance Directive.

https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/end-of-life-care/planning-ahead/advance-decision-to-refuse-treatment

I've noticed those in their late 80s/90s/100s on fewer medications than those in their 70s and early-mid 80s.

Statistically that isn't true though

Well you could live much longer and if you keep your body and brain active, are fortunate not to get anything like cancer or dementia, then why wouldn’t you? It’s not a given you will be unwell and miserable! My uncle is 97, still lives on his own and tends his garden. Most of my mothers family lived to around 90, all surviving (and well) serious illnesses but none of them wanted to die when their time came.
Do what you can now to get fit and develop core strength.

What statistics?

However, I did say it was anecdotal...

I fear old age a lot because I will have no family (only child, no children of my own). I fear having to go to hospital appointments etc on my own. I do also wonder what I will have to look forward to in my 70s / 80s / 90s with no grandchildren etc to looks forward to.

I am trying to lean into one of my enjoyable hobbies more and get fully involved in it, and I have also been looking at nice places to live (retirement villages etc).

I am only in my late 30s, and I think some people think I am a bit mad for doing this, but I feel it is so important to plan ahead. I want to be as happy as I can be in old age, because being unhappy is really painful!

@DamnUserName21 medication use statistics

I would be happy to die at 80 I think. That is enough life for anyone. What more is there to see or experience after 80 years?

@hangerup

Bit pointless mentioning statistics without evidence.

"In England overall more than one in 10 people aged over 65 takes at least eight different prescribed medications weekly, and this increases to one in four among people who are aged over 85[ii]."

@DamnUserName21 any more pointless than anecdotes?

OP - you don't get the point I was making. It's always been the norm for both parents to work in the UK.

I'm convinced that British people have some kind of shame about being happy

Not me @lljkk - I positively seek it out 😊

Had my child late, so I’m hoping to last a bit longer…
Won’t be retiring though. We’ll keep working. hopefully!

It's always been the norm for both parents to work in the UK.

full time? Has it?

I'm citing my own lived experience, not referring to another source. You were talking statistics without sourcing it, which you still haven't.

Lol. When I was 18, I thought: damn , I'm now 18 and the adult shit starts....

Being 65 now isn't too bad. Have my grandkids, possible retirement in the UK , still musing it.

I have choice here, apparently
If my girls were married with men from our country, they would just put me on a bed downstairs in the farm house and feed me , wash me but I would be alone all day, because they would be working.

Here at least some care homes offer entertainment though my girls are swearing they'll keep me home, even here

@DamnUserName21 I quoted from Age Concern. It's doesn't take a genius to work out that older people are on more meds...

I'm citing my own lived experience, not referring to another source.

What did you mean by & generally speaking?

I’m with you mid 40s too had a number of elderly relatives live with dementia in what were slow and depressing ends. Tbh they wouldn’t of wanted it I don’t either You can register with your GP that you only want pain relief/ palliative care only in the event of loss of capacity.

I am overweight (not obese) and utterly knackered tbh. My pension is not great. I suspect the state pension will be means tested so I will be old and skint. I work two jobs plus kids so get zero time. My hips hurt, my knee hurts. I was fitter but have been suffering with gall stones and exercise can set it off.

Life is a slog all the jolly retirees I know who are fit and healthy are loaded. Sadly that is not me so I look forward to shuffling off this mortal coil sooner rather than later.

I agree there is a lot about the global long term impacts we still dont know.

I like that expression and attitude, "we're here for a good time , not a long time. "
Great username too. ;)