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I can’t imagine anything more depressing than sitting around dying in slow motion knowing that I’m financially draining my kid. And grandkid for that matter. I
by fauxpause_ 4y ago
I can’t imagine anything more depressing than sitting around dying in slow motion knowing that I’m financially draining my kid. And grandkid for that matter. It is, best case, an undo button for anything you did to try and prepare them for success in the future.
- baxtr 4y agoPeople need to understand the difference between lifespan and healthspan. While some may prioritize extending their life, I personally prioritize improving the quality of my life while I am alive. A balanced diet, engaging in regular physical activity such as walking outdoors, and ensure getting sufficient sleep.. Don’t smoke, don’t drink.
- anotherhue 4y agoI've called those the 'good years' but healthspan is a great term.
- emodendroket 4y agoYou can choose to live really healthily and still end up with a long-lasting degenerative disease. Life is not fair that way.
- baxtr 4y agoYeah I agree. There are things you can’t change. Living healthy to increase my health span is still something I can control and chose to do.
- mkoubaa 4y agoEven though it's not fair you will almost certainly have a better life if you make healthy choices than otherwise.
- emodendroket 4y agoIt’s more likely but no, “almost certainly” is bogus.
- falcolas 4y agoCancer doesn’t really care how healthy of a life you’ve lived. I’ve seen too many vibrant, healthy people get cancer to believe otherwise.
- dev_tty01 4y agoSure, of course it is a statistics game. The point is to improve your odds. As someone who cares for two older family members, I can tell you that the more we do to keep our weight down, and maintain agility and strength, and give some priority to cardiac health, the better the odds of maintaining a high quality of life for a longer period of time. Its about creating some health margin so we can better handle the inevitable problems. Pointing to anecdotes of healthy people who were stricken anyway as a reason to live an unhealthy life will end predictably.
- emodendroket 4y agoOr it might not since chance goes the other way. My point is not to encourage people to live in an unhealthy way but to challenge the flippant suggestion that anyone who has serious health problems with age deserves it for their unhealthy lifestyle.
- dev_tty01 4y agoFair enough. I don't think that's what the parent comment was trying to say and I certainly wouldn't want to say that in general. However, some times it is true, but those people still deserve kindness and care. Life is hard. My personal intent is to try and remain as healthy (physically and financially) as I can so that I can minimize the chance of becoming a significant burden. It is personal for me. My grandfather spent several years spoon feeding his mother who had severe dementia. He didn't resent her. He loved her but it still impacted him. When his own health later degraded to the point where he was going to need more care from the people he loved, he couldn't live with the thought of losing control and being a burden to his children so he ended his life. It was not a spur of the moment decision. He had all the legal and fiscal matters lined up. He even had his tombstone in place. He lived a full life with lots of close family and friends. Was he a coward or a saint? Maybe some of both. Maybe neither. Maybe he was just practical to the end. I haven't figured it out.
- harvey9 4y agoThose behaviours tend to lead to a long life as well.