A bad side effect of caregiving my parents has been that I am becoming more and more afraid of getting old. Watching what they have gone through has let me know I do not want to go through the same thing. It has made me hope that I check out of life before I get old.
Afraid of getting too old and outliving all the people I know......
Honestly, I recall sitting at my laptop, enjoying my day and thinking that life was pretty darned good and then BAM! I got the phone call that changed everything.
I do think I fear dementia more than old age. I can accept an old body that has wrinkles, but the mind......losing that just freaks me out.
I also help care for my parents who don't have dementia, but are in their mid 70's. Do you know how many funerals they go to every month?????????? NOW THAT is scary. They never stop. I just got a call today that one of my good friend's mom died. She was 92. Her funeral on Sunday will be two in one week for me.
I'm not sure what the answer is, but I think I need a vacation! lol
I was terrified when my daughter was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2004. But Old Age? Nah.
[for those not familiar with those names, it's the characters on the "Big Bang Theory"]
My husband has early onset dementia, and I'm now his full-time caregiver. So, this is our early retirement. I try to fill my time doing genealogy and writing my family history, things I can do from home. Luckily, my husband's SSDI check is enough to get by, and his VA health benefits cover meds and in-home caregivers to help. We are taking the attorney's advice to protect as much of our assets as possible for my future, but I worry that my health will be gone. I feel like I've got early signs of dementia and know I inherited my mom's arthritis. I too am looking into long term care insurance, but will that be enough in the future?
I try to look for the positive, take one day at a time, and take care of myself, but wish I had a crystal ball so I knew what the future holds!!! Glad I live in a state that has assisted suicide, just hope I have mental capacity, when/if the time comes for me.
I went to zumba class today and gave it my all. Went home and crashed on my couch. Now I have desk work and organizing to do. I am grateful no one lives with me. I help take care of Mom and Dad in helpful and measured doses.
I am not afraid of living or death. I believe there is more than one life: we have come and gone many times before and many more to go, so why worry? Nothing is created or destroyed: it is all energy and all change. Only love matters.
I'm not really afraid of getting older. I think I am afraid of dementia though. Yes dementia scares me.
Thanks for the laugh, and if hubby succeeds, may I rent your time machine? enjoy your bday
L
When I was growing up, I always thought my mother had beautiful hands and handwriting to go with them. I notice how gnarled they have become and her writing is almost illegible. This scares me...when does it happen? One day she is writing letters, signing cards, taking care of her bills....and one day she isn't. I know the decline had to have been somewhat slow...but it appears that it happened overnight. In some ways, after living with mom for a year and a half (she went to assisted living in April of 2014), it gave me a wake-up call. She didn't talk very good care of herself, and wanted to refuse medical care. This makes me want to take better care of myself...body and mind. I have 2 grandchildren and want to watch them grow up.....although I do plan on drinking for my birthday...then maybe I'll harp on hubby enough to build me my time machine. Maybe I should put on my parachute pants so I'm ready.
to people who hear bad things about the va -- look at the town , region , and local labor pool . if the va is located in skiptooth county arkabammy or something its probably gonna make headlines every now and then .
I am to a point that if I get another life altering illness, I hope it takes me quickly. My dreams for a wonderful retirement, like what my parents had for 25 years, won't be a reality... I am too tired to enjoy anything anymore :(
But even with dementia, my husband had a reasonable quality of life. My mother is content with her nursing home life. I'm more afraid of not having loved ones in my old age, but I don't seriously think that will happen.