Does the prospect of getting old scare you? & Why?

Question

I am not as afraid of getting old as I am of possibly becoming incapable of looking after myself. the very idea of having to be looked after, fed, washed ect scares the wotsit out of me & the thought of someone taking care of my toilet needs humiliates me. "I used to change my kids nappies, & now they change mine" gives me nightmares, hopefully I will be like so many spritely OAP's I see. & lets face it at 47 I am nearer my twilight years than my youth!!

Answer 1

As one of the people who does the looking after you describe, for both elderly and disabled! It's the loss of mental ability that scares me far more than the physical side. Alziemers and senility are far more frightening. Not for me as I won't know it's happening, but for my children. I don't want them to even try to look after me, then. I just hope that like most of the people I've looked after I'll still find something in life I can enjoy till that time. People who need care fall in to two categories mainly,those who accept what they can't do and try to make the most of what they can and those that bemoan the loss of what they can't!
It's not physical age! I've known 98 year olds with a greater zest for life than many a 50 year old and I'm approaching retirement age. Give it another few years and you'll realise life is for living now! Let tomorrow take care of itself!

Answer 2

You're asking people who want to live. I'm someone who has lost a close friend to suicide. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think about him. Sometimes I blame myself for his death. It's been 4 months so far. I feel your pain. I also want to die but I'm afraid to because I've seen the pain it causes. You're lost and you just want to escape from it all. Instead of committing suicide how about doing things you have always wanted to do? Since you feel like giving up, why not just take the time to acknowledge the beauty of the little things in life. Don't let your life go to waste.

Answer 3

No not really........ just the thought of falling hair, falling teeth, sagging jaw line, sagging cheeks, saggy baggy eyes, drooping boobs, drooping bottom, middle age spread..... & as you mentioned ... becoming incapable & having to rely on others... but i do not fear death!!

I remember reading an article, a few year back, about a bank manager, highly intelligent,succesful, English man, who was struck with alsiemers in his late 30's - early 40's, so no one knows what is around the corner.
Make the most of each day while you have your health because you never know from one day to the next what illness or ailment you will be faced with at anytime of life!!

Answer 4

Yes. I am 46, so close to you in age and maybe this is the age things start playing on your mind. Similarly inability to live life the way I want to is what is uppermost in my mind. my mother unfortunately was correct in many things she told me, for instance aches, pains recovery from injury all taking longer than when I was younger. I am a very active, outdoor person, I work in the ski industry in the winter and spills and injury has started to become more of a worry. I just hope that if I have to change my activities, I can still be active.
I plan to celebrate 50, I hope you do too. Spit in the face of age!!!!!!

Answer 5

The thought of growing old doesn't scare me, its the thought that I might be incapable of doing anything, but my brain still functioning correctly that scares me. The thought of anyone having to wash/clean and take care of my every need - even the most basic things makes me shudder.

Answer 6

Lita-I'll be 70 in January and still take baths and dress myself.
That kind of thing does happen, but not to everyone. Take care of yourself now and when you do get to be older, there wont be as much of a chance of being dependant on others.
I had an anuerism 3 years ago and had to retire, but I fight to stay independant. I also have a bumper sticker that says "Getting old is not for sissies". That's kind of my mantra.

Answer 7

My Dear, at 47, You are just beginning to live. (smile)
Wait til You"re 74, > and I still do not anticipate none of those things for a long time to come.......My Mama always Said " When You're Over the Hill, You Pick Up Speed"! I like That. I Like to Think Positive, and NEVER SPEAK NEGATIVE........."CAUSE WHAT YOU SAY< > IS WHAT YOU GET>" (Mama always said) (smile) Now, You stop Speaking to those things, O.K?

Answer 8

It doesn't scare me, it upset me, quite very much, to loose strenght, vitality, energy, to see and feel your self uglier, decadent, old, like you are suffering a terrible decease that is hunting you and bring you down, everyday a bit.

Suddenly people tell you "mister", suddenly "you are not in age" for doing this or that, suddenly you don't have time to certain dreams, suddenly, the best of your life is behind.

And you go out and you see young people, full of life and you realise that to get old is not "natural", is a bloody decease... And to combat it, you have to take stupid measures, drink water, quit smoking, quit drinking, go to bed early...so you are not only old, but boring and stupid.

Sorry, I don't see anything positive about it...

Answer 9

I hate the thought of it I look at my dad with heart trouble kidney trouble and diabetes and it is very scary to think that might be how i will end up

Answer 10

dont dwell on things that might not happen x getting old is inevitable - growing up is optional x im 50 and think thats ancient but then i think "oh im that age" still an old number but - young at heart just 18 in my head x oops - are memory lapses a sign of...............