I don't want to get to 90

[NickFitz]

Back in the 1980s there was a widower who volunteered at the Age Concern day centre I was based at. Most days, he used his own car making multiple trips to bring several people in for lunch and take them home again in the afternoon. He was tall, over 6', slender in build. He was always perfectly turned-out, with razor-sharp trouser creases, an impeccably-knotted tie, and a fresh carnation in his buttonhole. He bore himself well, like a military man, and always had a friendly word for everyone.

I always assumed he was in his early seventies.

Turned out he was ninety-five. Born in the nineteenth century. Old enough to remember Queen Victoria's death.

Moral: wait until you get there; it might be better for you than you expect

[NotAllThere]

...Turned out he was ninety-five. Born in the nineteenth century. Old enough to remember Queen Victoria's death.

Moral: wait until you get there; it might be better for you than you expect

My grandmother is one hundred years old, and quite happy.

[mudskipper]

I'm with socialworker on this, looking at the state of my mother who's 80. Having said that, the in-laws, who are the same age, have, until the last year, been very healthy and active. MIL unlikely to be around much longer, so I suppose she's got it right really, but unsure how FIL will fare without her.

And last week we celebrated the 100th parkrun of a fantastic, inspirational guy who will be 80 in March.

I suspect socialworker doesn't have so much cause to see the happy 90 year olds.

Probably the best idea is to have a backup plan, but I guess that goes to pot if you lose your marbles.

[ctdctd]

Depends who you are and who you have to support you.

I am a miserable old git with no nearby family. The idea of getting to 90 with poor health does not appeal.
Having a Plan B does.

However, I have an Uncle who is very similar to me.
He had a serious stroke 14 years ago and seemed on a gradual decline, moving into a nursing home a couple of years ago.
Last year he turned himself around, walking again (just), getting back on a mobility scooter and visiting local pubs for the first time in several years - seems to be enjoying life.

So, at the age of 70, he would not have wanted to live to 90. At the age of 77, it appears that he does!

Food for thought maybe?

Edit:- Being in a mental and financial position to make your own choices is key to a happy old age IMO. Don't assume the state will provide!

[mudskipper]

Edit:- Being in a mental and financial position to make your own choices is key to a happy old age IMO. Don't assume the state will provide!

It's very difficult to plan financially for retirement when you're clueless how long you're going to live for.

[ctdctd]

It's very difficult to plan financially for retirement when you're clueless how long you're going to live for.

Not hard to cater for most scenarios.

For example - assume you will live to 120 and you need £50K a year.
Also assume your capital keeps pace with inflation.

If you are 40 now, you need 4 million quid.

Are you there yet?

[darmstadt]

My grandfather was reasonably active up until his death at the grand old age of 97 and was quite often found to be doing various activities. How about Helmut Schmidt, the oldest surviving ex-Chancellor of Germany who is now 95:

- Schmidt is a smoker. He is well known for lighting up cigarettes on TV interviews and talkshows. In January 2008, German police launched an enquiry after Schmidt was reported by an anti-smoking initiative for defying the recently introduced smoking ban. The initiative claimed that Helmut Schmidt had been flagrantly ignoring laws "for decades". Despite pictures in the press, the case was subsequently dropped after the public prosecution service decided that Schmidt's actions had not been a threat to public health. (*)
- On April 6, 2010, with a lifespan of 33 342 days he surpassed Konrad Adenauer in terms of longevity and is now the oldest former chancellor in German history.
- His wife, Loki Schmidt, died on 21 October 2010.
- At the beginning of August 2012, Schmidt gave an interview on German television and revealed that at 93 years of age he had fallen in love again. His new life-partner is his long-standing associate, Ruth Loah, 79.




(* he smokes menthol cigarettes and with the possible ban of them coming in, it has been reported that he went out and bought a few thousand packets for the future!)

[doodab]

I'd quite like a shot at it.

[Freamon]

[mudskipper]

I'd quite like a shot at it.

Aye, I guess it's better than the alternative.