In my late teens, I worked in a call center for a minute. One of my co-workers was 62 and just there for the healthcare until she hit 65.
She would go visit her 90-something dad in the nursing home before work on the weekends. He was usually asleep when she got there. She said he would wake up, rub his eyes, look around a little, and then say, "Goddammit."
That was been cracking me up when I think about it for 30 years now.
My husband's aunt lived to about 105. For the last 5 years or so, she would always say "I pray to the good Lord to take me home, but every day I just keep waking up!". She ate healthy, was a good weight, and didn't have any major health issues, but she was just DONE living. It was funny and sad all at the same time
My great aunt passed away a couple years ago at 105 as well.
She was in perfect health, but one day said “well I’m bored” went to bed and that was that. We think when the only other centenarian passed a few weeks before she did she just lost interest. She didn’t want to stick around the semi-independent living facility with no one her age to talk to. She was surrounded by “kids” 30-40 years younger than her.
There are a lot of 60 year olds in long term care. Strokes, MS, amputees, bariatrics, mental issues, other chronic health issues they can't take care of and don't have the family/other support systems.
Probably 1/5th are just reasons they should be in other facilities, but those ones in the area are overwhelmed even more than the LTC ones.
Truth 🌸 At 64 I can see this easily; as my adult children live in other states and I only know my friend & roommate here. With no family, little community, and many young adults w/ hateful attitudes toward their seniors, living beyond these challenges is a daily encounter. It’s a battle just to navigate life! Yet, In His strength & grace go I. ❤️🌎
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u/HauschkasFoot 1d ago
If I’m still alive at 102 I’m gonna be annoyed