Would anybody like to live till they are 150.

I already know my four great-gd well, and no doubt there will be many more as eight of my gd have still to start producing, but I just put their birthdays in my diary. Because I have such a large family, I stop buying presents once they are working, especially now there is another generation to buy for. I love the way technology allows me to keep in touch with my far flung family and I think it will be exciting to see what happens in medicine.
Of course,as I have already said, I would not want to stay alive once I had lost my faculties or become a burden on my family. My daughter knows my wishes about that.

I was born in September, 1940, which might have been momentous in British history for something else! I think it was a very good year to be born - my family spent five years in the beautiful countryside around Bury, to escape the bombing in Manchester. There was full employment when I left school, and when I returned to higher education as a mature student the tuition was free and I got a small grant (I was married and your husband was supposed to support you!).
As a teenager in the mid-50's, I didn't drink, smoke or take drugs (I didn't know anything about drugs) and boys did not pressure me into having sex as they accepted that I was just not willing to risk pregnancy, or to get a name for being 'easy' in my small town. It didn't do me any harm to wait until I was engaged. The music and dancing were great, and the fashions were very flattering.

I didn't need any health care, so that didn't impinge on me.

I am not sure that things are better for young people today, apart from advances in medicine and our greater awareness of abuse. They certainly don't seem any happier than we were.

Hi Granjura

I read the other day 1954 was the best year to be born.
The problems of the war were over, rationing stopped, plenty of jobs and final salary pension schemes.
I was born in 1949 and my parents were reasonably well off for the date. I had good employment until I was pensioned off at 54 in London.
When I saw the redundancy payment and the immediate pension I could not get out of the office fast enough.
I then came to Birmingham and joined my father, daughters, and subsequent granddaughters and got another job which made up the difference between my salary in London and the pension.
I got made redundant after 5 years with another small redundancy payment and a small immediate pension.
Unlike some people I know I did save for some extra pension and also gathered some savings.
I think I have done better than my parents but I think they did well for their date.
1951 is closer to 1954 but I am only 2 years older than you.

Frank

You are right Greatnan, we all in the West have had far more than our fair share already - so why push our luck even further. 103 in good health and with my marbles is about the max - any more is greedy .

Remember the film 'Logan's Run' I think, from the 70s - about people having to die aged 30 or something like that? But we are not taking about that are we? However I do agree with some amount of ageism in health care - we've got to the ridiculous situation where it seems correct to impose enforced living way beyond pain, quality of life, etc. I certainly would NOT want vast sums of money spent on my care once I've lost autonomy of mind and body- stopped enjoying the birds singing and the chattering of my grand-children. When I've stopped recognising my nearest and dearest. I am so fortunate to live in a country where I can take the choice in my own hands - if ever.

Cagsy, I totally agree. And 1951 is an excellent vintage - totally agree there too

Couldn't agree more Mamie, I was born in 1951 and can't believe how different my life is than my parents - for the better! I'd like to think I had another 20 - 25 good years then I'd like to clear off without too much drama for eveyone. I know I'll be missed but I also want my children to be able to enjoy their grandchildren and not be worrying about me.
Till then I plan to eat, drink & be merry - and work for as long as I can!

Its a no from me, I can't get to grips with the modern technology now, imagine what it would be like in 90 odd years from now. Also, I wouldn't be able to afford all the birthday/Christmas presents for all the future generations that would come along, and as for remembering their birthdays etc, well, there could well be hundreds of them...lol. As long as I live long enough to meet my future Great Grandchildren I will be happy, My eldest Grandson is coming up to 9 now, so I could be a Great Gran in as little as 10 years

Only if I can dance, sing and enjoy a goodly measure of finest malt whisky with all my family and friends.

I want to kick my clogs before I become boring. Of course, there may be those who think I am too late.

Would anybody still in full health be obliged to kill themselves at a certain age? Or perhaps there will be categories of 'deserving' survivors?
I think the next few generations will come up with solutions to the problems of feeding the world. I will probably be much more self sufficient in the future, so please can I stay alive?

Of course there is no absolute definition of fair share, but as you say, we in the west consume huge amounts compared with other nations. I think we have to do what we can for the planet and for me that means making certain choices which would not include living to a hugely advanced age. Of course if we were all still working, growing our own food, leading completely active lives then that would help, but if the entire population of the planet were to continue doing that to 150 then I think resources would still run out pretty fast.
Like everyone a bit of me would like to see how things evolve, but I am not sure it would help the generation trying to make it all work.

I refuse to feel guilty for living and I am also very curious about what is going to happen in science, politics, health, exploration, and with my extended family. Of course, I would probably not want to live if I were in great pain, or if I had a very poor quality of life, but I assume the question means would we like to live to 150 in good mental and physical health. Is there such a thing as a 'fair share' of the world's resources? If so, all of us in the Western World have consumed many times our share.

Thanks, Ana. DH says he's going to give me a T shirt with Boadicea in her chariot on the front and 'Tell Me About It' on the back.

Frank, I was replying to Merlotgran's post, and my comments related to her and her mother's personal circumstances.

That is NOT what we are talking about!

Hi Ana

In 1 case I dealt with the mother was in hospital for about 40 days because the daughter who was the joint owner of the property and refused to let it be sold to finance the mothers care on my advice.
In the end it was decided the mother was eligible for full NHS funding.
At the same time I read in the local newspaper the hospital was short of beds.
Surely it would have been best for the NHS to pay immediately rather than allow the dispute to go on so long.

Frank

I wish I could help. I'm good at ranting at authority!1nasty]

Merlot You have my deepest sympathy - this constant battling with the powers-that-be isn't doing anyone any good. Everyone's losing out.

Oooooh! I feel so much better now I've had a rant!

Thanks, Mishap and Frank. Don't worry. I've become very good at piling on the pressure and being able to produce evidence that mum's care is not adequate. The carers actually do less now mum is receiving palliative care. They no longer have to get her dressed as she stays in bed, they don't have to give her lunch because I do that (it's the only way I can be sure she gets fed), they plonk a cup of tea and a piece of cake in front of her at tea time and they don't have to put her to bed because she's already there. Apparently they have contacted the social welfare team to get mum moved into a nursing home because they can't cope with her needs!!!! I wasn't consulted and a young girl from the SW team rang me yesterday, out of the blue and gave me the glad tidings. I bet she wished she'd stayed in bed. Cutting me off was a big mistake

I have yet another meeting with them next Wednesday. I've refused to deal with anyone other than the senior manager. In the meantime, as I'm providing a huge chunk of mum's care, woe betide any carer who starts wingeing about long hours, a bad back, or utters that pathetic phrase, 'Tell me about it', when I point out that mum could do with a wash.....Yes, dear. I AM telling you about it because she's a bit whiffy.

My brother visited mum today and everything was perfect. They even made him a cup of tea!! (screaming and tearing hair out emoticon)

Yes I think I would as I'd love to see how my GC turn out and get to know their families - as long as I'm not expected to get down on my hands and knees to change nappies or play Brio! I would just like to sit in state with a book of word games in my hand and be waited on, asked for advice and generally revered [smug emoticon]

Joan

Hi Merlot

Like Mishap I am sorry you are having problems with Social Services regarding your parents care.
As many Gransnetters know I have helped several people get full NHS funding for their parent mainly when the house is in shared ownership and the Social Worker tries to get them to sell the house to fund the parents care.
I have even had 1 situation where the Social Worker suggested the offspring downsized their house to fund the parents care.
What you must do is pile on the pressure for the NHS to fund the care and if this is not possible get the maximum possible from Social Services.
You may have 35+ years to live after your parent passes away and you want to retain as much money as possible to enjoy those years.
I am going along to sit in on another annual assessment next week and I am not expecting the social worker or care nurse to welcome me with open arms.

Frank

Of course I would like to live to 150 as long as I'm pain free and compos mentis. I'm curious - I always want to know what happens next, in science, society, my family... I want to read books and watch drama and write stories. I would not eat very much or cost very much - I'd need a garden to walk in, bed, a chair, a telly, a kindle, a computer, and my glasses.

merlot - I really am so sorry that you are having these problems. I cannot imagine what it must be like - what a dreadful worry for you. I share your concern that it is just not possible to have an elderly parent in hospital or residential home and be able to relax and know that they are being well cared for. It really should not be like this. Do keep up the pressure - even though this simply should not be necessary.

It is akin to the problems that parents of children with special needs have - talk to any of them and they say the worst thing is battling with the very services that are meant to be helping them.

Would I like to live to 150? - certainly if I could spend that time as fit as I was when I was 30. Otherwise no thanks!

I have always wonder what people are thinking when they have their bodies frozen. By the time they think they might come back they probably would have no friends or family still living and no home and no money. A bit of....Death Becomes Her.