General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Dear people over 80... [View all]Buckeyeblue
(5,499 posts)You've probably managed your weight well, you've lived an active life, with probably some structured exercise. You've stayed curious about the world. You've empathized with people. You've laughed. You've cried. And from time to time You've cussed in anger.
The reality is that most 80 year olds are struggling. My FIL who is a good man is going to be 80 this year. He did not take care of himself. He didn't manage his weight. He scoughed at formal exercise. And now he cannot walk even short distances without a walker. A wheelchair is needed for anything out of the house. He is alive because he diligently takes the multitude of pills prescribed for him. It's really a pretty shitty life. He talks about dying and my wife gets upset. But as I tell her, what does he have to really look forward to.
So at 52 living to be old doesn't excite me. But I will continue to take care of myself in the event that I do make it into my 80's or beyond. I've always been curious to see what happens next.