“Most of us know people who are old but who still are really fit and healthy and probably have another decade in them, enough to see their grandchildren grow up, or marry etc.”
This. My mum is 81 and incredible. She survived pretty much every childhood illness that vaccines weren’t available for in her youth. From a working class background, she worked hard and forged a successful career in a male field. She survived a brutal first marriage, took a clean break divorce in the early 70s, no financial support whatsoever. Took on her GLC mortgage alone and worked 12+ hour days to keep my sibling and I in the former family home.
She then met my fabulous stepdad and in retirement, (hers, not his, he’s her toyboy at 8 years younger) she travelled. She won more than one award for her wildlife photography. They fell in love with one particular African country, set up a charity and raised tens of thousands of pounds to better the lives of villagers.
They are both retired now. They are up early every morning feeding the wildlife in their West Country garden. They then set off on their daily 6 mile round walk. When they return, she cleans the house as needed, he dies the garden, then they’re on the internet supporting and encouraging their charities. They have no health issues, they enjoy their home and large, wildlife filled gardens, which they maintain with care themselves. The idea of them needing assistance is frankly laughable.
My mum’s youngest older sister, nearly 16 years her senior, is going strong, has recently moved from the Isle of Wight back to the mainland without assistance and I fully expect my mum to celebrate - at least - her 100th birthday. She’ll probably bake her own cake and retire to bed at least an hour after I do.
Why is her life less valuable than that of 20
year old drug dealer?