Growing Old With Dignity

[Larry Caldwell]

BTW, if you decide to check out on your own, there is no need to involve a doctor. Get yourself a tank of argon from the local welding supply, put a plastic bag over your head and feed the argon into the bag. You will never notice when you die. Life is full of the stories of guys cleaning out a tank and not realizing there is no oxygen left. The feeling of shortness of breath is triggered by CO2 buildup in the blood. As long as you are breathing normally, you will exhale the CO2 and never notice. If you have a TIG welder, you already have everything you need. Just be sure to set the regulator high enough to push all the oxygen out of the bag. The argon only has to last for 15 minutes.

 

[turnkey4099]

I will not burden my children or my wife. I've had a great life and will be ready to go when called.

If you become incompetent, you will have no say in it unless you prepare beforehand. Make out a living will that speciies what you want in the way of care. My funeral policy is paid in full, Living will and Power's of Attorney all done.

 

[Doofy]

The old Athabascan Elders simply walk out in to the forest during the winter and sit down under a large spruce tree, drift off to sleep and freeze to death. Painless, I hear. The Yupik and Inupiat just climb up on an ice floe and drift out to sea.

I came in to this world kicking and screaming and will probably go out the same way. I hope not. I do wish to die quietly and with dignity. No fuss-No muss.

 

[jlawso21]

My wife and I have discussed this at length. We have decided on no nursing homes, live with and help each other as longs as we can, and live in our own home. We would accept "assistance" as long as it's just stopping for meals or casual help. Neither of us want our kids changing diapers. The inevitable question is what happens when one can't get by. At this point we are not certain but are leaning heavily toward the "heavy rock, deep lake" solution.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Unfortunately, it's usually not a choice what may befall us. My Mother ended up quite unexpectedly with a colospy bag. Something she is unwilling to accept. Talk about loss of dignity!

I don't understand this "call" thing. It's often not as easy as falling asleep one day and not waking up. Reminds me of people not wanting to spend money on an old vehicle and will "just run it into the ground". That's just not how it works!

 

[ovrszd]

I have LTC (Long Term Care) insurance, so if I hit a bump in the road I can get care for three years. If the bump is a huge pothole, I have time to consider options. Assisted living homes are not terrible if you find a good one. My mom has been in one for 10 years.and she likes it. BTW, a great place for a man alone as the ratio is 5:1...LOL

I also have a do not resuscitate clause in my will. I will not exist as a vegetable.

To the OP....you seem depressed so be careful of that. It will affect you negatively and hasten your deterioration. I was serious in my first post about staying active and not thinking like an old person.

Like others here, I am in my little slice of heaven, even if it is only 20 acres in the middle of nowhere. I love it and do not want to leave unless I have to. I am in my late 60's and buying a new tractor that will last my lifetime. If I had low expectations, I would get a used machine...but like to "think young". My fiancé and I have talked about things. Might be able to stay here for another 10-15 years so why buy a machine that will last 25-30???

If you do not expect much from the things in life, (job, marriage, kids, friends, etc etc) you have a tendency to not get much. Health is like that too. If you smoke or chew, stop. If you drink to excess, tone it down. If you do drugs, stop. If it hurts to do something, push yourself a bit. I wind up working with pain a lot...but I work. My bottle of Naproxen has a 2016 expiry date and is half full.

Your attitude will affect you.

Toby Keith has a song titled "Don't Let The Old Man In". Worth a listen.

One of the lines in the song is "How old would you be if you didn't know the date of your birth?"

So I ask the OP, How old would you be if you didn't know the date of your birth??

I'd be 43. I'm 67.

 

[Big Barn]

I will not burden my children or my wife. I've had a great life and will be ready to go when called.

Me too.

 

[Big Barn]

Toby Keith has a song titled "Don't Let The Old Man In". Worth a listen.

One of the lines in the song is "How old would you be if you didn't know the date of your birth?"

So I ask the OP, How old would you be if you didn't know the date of your birth??

I'd be 43. I'm 67.

I’m also 67. If you had asked me yesterday I would have said 50 but after reading and reevaluating I’ll go with 43 too. I’m a few pounds lighter and fitter now than then.

 

[Ortimber]

I suspect I might be younger than most in this thread (46).

More and more, I’m hearing of classmates dying as well as older family members.

Two weeks ago, my good friend (48) suffered cardiac arrest while sitting in his chair at home. Thankfully his wife knew CPR and the medics were able to convert his heart (v-fib) into a normal rhythm. He’s alive, thankfully.

As each year goes by, I reflect more and more about my life and whether or not I have regret or unfinished business. I’m starting to realize how short life really is. After all I’m past the halfway point, most likely.

I’ve come to the decision that no matter what, if I tip over before I read the next thread, I’m at peace with everyone and everything in my life.
It’s a great feeling to have and makes life, work, even the bad times, more enjoyable.

As far as being a burden on my family if I become unable to care for myself....Well, as a former medic I have some knowledge as to how to slip away peacefully and painlessly.

 

[ovrszd]

I suspect I might be younger than most in this thread (46).

More and more, I’m hearing of classmates dying as well as older family members.

Two weeks ago, my good friend (48) suffered cardiac arrest while sitting in his chair at home. Thankfully his wife knew CPR and the medics were able to convert his heart (v-fib) into a normal rhythm. He’s alive, thankfully.

As each year goes by, I reflect more and more about my life and whether or not I have regret or unfinished business. I’m starting to realize how short life really is. After all I’m past the halfway point, most likely.

I’ve come to the decision that no matter what, if I tip over before I read the next thread, I’m at peace with everyone and everything in my life.
It’s a great feeling to have and makes life, work, even the bad times, more enjoyable.

As far as being a burden on my family if I become unable to care for myself....Well, as a former medic I have some knowledge as to how to slip away peacefully and painlessly.

Your friend's experience is why DNR should be thought thru completely.