There doesn't really seem to be any script for how to be and what to do past the prime retirement years of say 55 - 75ish when people still have the energy/health to travel, golf, etc. Not that there would be an exact age, but say past mid-80s life seems to get very empty for a lot of people, particularly when great-grandchildren enter the fray because they get kind of schlubbed off to the side.
Grandparents have a very clear role in a family, but great-grandparents don't. They seem to be almost one generation too many in a lot of families I've seen - not because they have no value, but more because we don't really have a role for them.
There are always going to be exceptions, but I'm talking about the more standard-issue elderly people that just sit around their apartments or old-folks homes vegging out watching TV just waiting for the one/month visit from family.
We can definitely live a long time in this country, but holy crap does the quality of life ever fall of a cliff at a certain point. Are people just living too long now? I remember in high school my buddy's grandma telling us that we never want to live to be her age (90s) because all your friends will be dead. Sure we had a chuckle at that sad old lady at the time, but there was probably a lot of truth in what she said.
TO MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT:
So if you're planning to make it past 85, what do you want to be doing? Keep in mind you have to be realistic about what your abilities/energy level will be (e.g. you won't be snowboarding).
If I get into my 80's its going to be smokin' weed (after a very long hiatus obviously)and watching retro cartoons methinks.
Reminds me of a Dave Chappelle bit. "Drugs are really for old people anyway. If you're 75, you've earned the right. If I was 75, I'd do coke, heroin, everything, I wouldn't give an eff. I'd be walking down the street, they'd be, boy that old man is tripping'."
I'm going to Diablo and Sim City the #### out of my retirement on a beach in Thailand. I'll pause it to come back to Canada once every six months to retain my health benefits.
We can definitely live a long time in this country, but holy crap does the quality of life ever fall of a cliff at a certain point. Are people just living too long now? I remember in high school my buddy's grandma telling us that we never want to live to be her age (90s) because all your friends will be dead.
Quaality of life is something you can control, to some extent. Exercise and diet.
My Gran lived to 98, lived alone till she died. Not alone as in lonely, but alone as in cooked, shopped and did everything herself.
Location: A simple man leading a complicated life....
Exp:
Then again I could become like David Letterman
Quote:
Serena Williams wore a gorgeous, tight-fitting dress for her appearance on the "Late Show With David Letterman. It was a dress the 64-year-old host felt he had to comment on, even if it meant sounding like a horny #######.
Letterman: “Wow, Boy do you look great!”
Serena: “Thank you. I saw your eyes almost pop out there.”
Letterman: “Well, I think so.”
Serena: “We can’t have that.”
Letterman: “That’s not the only thing—um, I didn’t hear that.”
Speaking as an older person, you don't do anything different than you did when you were younger. You just do it at a more moderate pace and with slightly less gusto. That assumes you are not hindered by serious health or physically limiting issues.
I've talked with people in their 80's who have said they don't feel any different than they did in their 20's. Many people live a very full life well into their 80's and even their 90's.
Golf, travelling, various hobbies and projects, walking the dog, socializing with family and friends, and even sex, are some of the many things old people enjoy.
It's true that many end up in old people homes...lonely and half forgotten. However there are probably just as many or more still living in their own homes and enjoying life. In fact the government have programs, like homecare, that help people live in their own homes as long as possible.
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Becoming Elderly
