Wink Tobasco Posted January 26, 2011 Posted January 26, 2011 This isn't a mean spirited question, I'm working out my not so distant future. So many people (myself included) have expressed that they wouldn't choose to live if they, in their senior years, become unable to function independently. Or are beset with too many aches and pains. But everyday I see the elderly hobbling along with canes and walkers. The old gent who drives his car at a traffic snarling snails pace. The old lady with caked make-up, and a wig. etc, etc. Surely they were once claiming they'd never live that way. But they do. What motivates them to carry on? I am old enough to know I will break down in time, and I'm young enough to think I'll end it all if it reaches a point. What has -what will motivate you to carry on in a future state of pain and inability?
johan Posted January 26, 2011 Posted January 26, 2011 This is the kind of question I'd expect from a teenager. What do you expect them to do? Kill themselves? You look at them and see disability. But they have things to live for. Not to mention humans are generally wired to live and survive as long as possible. No one wants to die, no matter how bad things get. Wheelchair-bound people don't want to die. Old people don't want to die. I'm sure some people look at you and think, "I'd never want to live like that." So what makes you carry on with your miserable existence?
Author Wink Tobasco Posted January 26, 2011 Author Posted January 26, 2011 Johan, thus far I've been blessed with good health, carrying on is easy. Perhaps you never pondered life, good for you, they say it is bliss. I've known so many who claim they wouldn't live in a state of decrepitude. Certainly many today's decrepid are living as they once said they wouldn't. What changed.
sam light Posted January 29, 2011 Posted January 29, 2011 As hard as life can get in old age, The aches, pains, and disabilities still compare well to the terror of the unknown of death. I've watched relatives do very well till 75, then decline rapidly. I feel I can do 75. I fear the post 75 years.
Crimson and Clover Posted January 30, 2011 Posted January 30, 2011 When my grandma passed she said her big regret was not seeing me graduate college and get married, see me have children. She was pretty sick the last couple years but she wanted to see, to know what was happening with her family. She loved knowing that my sister had a little boy, that I was doing well in school, but she wished she knew what was going to happen to us all five years later, she wanted to be around for it all.
january2011 Posted January 30, 2011 Posted January 30, 2011 In my experience, a lot of the time, we cannot say with 100% accuracy how we will truly feel and act in a particular situation until we're actually experiencing it. In those moments, it becomes real for us rather than some hazy possibility in the distant future.
Duckduckgoose Posted January 30, 2011 Posted January 30, 2011 I dunno, sometimes I wonder this myself. A lot of times I look at old people and admire them though. They have done many things I have yet to do or may never do. I can learn from that. I will be getting Certified Nursing Assistant training soon, so I will probably get the chance to find out first hand (working in a nursing home if I don't land a job at the hospital) to learn more about the people that are old, decrepit, disabled, bedridden, dying (or any other negative connotation that can be put on it) and otherwise not 100% healthy... then I could answer the question about what motivates them with more accuracy. I feel compelled to help these people... I guess it was all the times I visited my grandmothers in their respective nursing homes... I would see some of the old people crying because they never got visitors and were so lonely. It made me cry like my heart was being ripped out of my chest. Last Christmas I donated 50 stuffed toys to the closest nursing home for them to give to their residents that won't get any visitors for the holidays. I am kind of tearing up thinking about the wails and sobs of these people who raised kids and then the kids dumped them off for whatever reason and forgot about them. I am such a wuss.
whichwayisup Posted January 30, 2011 Posted January 30, 2011 I dunno, sometimes I wonder this myself. A lot of times I look at old people and admire them though. They have done many things I have yet to do or may never do. I can learn from that. I will be getting Certified Nursing Assistant training soon, so I will probably get the chance to find out first hand (working in a nursing home if I don't land a job at the hospital) to learn more about the people that are old, decrepit, disabled, bedridden, dying (or any other negative connotation that can be put on it) and otherwise not 100% healthy... then I could answer the question about what motivates them with more accuracy. I feel compelled to help these people... I guess it was all the times I visited my grandmothers in their respective nursing homes... I would see some of the old people crying because they never got visitors and were so lonely. It made me cry like my heart was being ripped out of my chest. Last Christmas I donated 50 stuffed toys to the closest nursing home for them to give to their residents that won't get any visitors for the holidays. I am kind of tearing up thinking about the wails and sobs of these people who raised kids and then the kids dumped them off for whatever reason and forgot about them. I am such a wuss. You are a sweetheart and those elderly folks are lucky to have you care about them. I think older people just have acceptance, what is, IS. Take each day as it comes and make the best of it. Not all, but many of them. They have life experience, insight that alot of us don't know about..yet!
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