What scares you most about getting old?

1. 85

   K9keystrokesposted 12 years ago

   What scares you most about getting old?

   replyreport
2. 86

   Pcunixposted 12 years ago

   Mostly the possibility of living long enough to run out of money.  Minor fear of GOP power increasing and of course fear of becoming too ill to control my own fate.

   replyreport
3. 60

   ter1647posted 12 years ago

   Nothing really "scares" me about getting older. I guess I would say that loss of mobility and/or loss of cognitive ability is what would be the most detrimental. I want to be able to get around, think straight, and enjoy life as long as possible.

   replyreport
4. 78

   Uninvited Writerposted 12 years ago

   My fear is the same as Pcunix, i worry i won't have enough money to support myself or be physically able to take care of myself.

   replyreport
5. 62

   duffsmomposted 12 years ago

   Bein incapacitated and not being able to care for myself.  Then being stuck in a nursing home that smells and the people are condescending and not necessarily as honest as they should be and I am helpless to protect myself - it is a huge fear for me.

   replyreport
6. 69

   onegoodwomanposted 12 years ago

   There was a time that I FEARED alzheimers disease.   Imagine, losing my treasured memories, after awaiting the time that I could sit in my rocking chair and bask in their glow.
   
   No more.
   
   Those with alzheimers, are not suffering...........it is their families who are.   They feel lost, forgotten or unimportant.
   
   
   Today, my greatest fear, is to be physically dependant.   
   
   Imagine, not being able to feed youself, take a shower on your own, or needing another to take you to bathroom, or to diaper you, when you have lost all control.
   
   Have you wondered what it must be like to have someone else brush your teeth?
   
   And to be aware of these things.............?
   
   I now, fear, being aware of my unable self.

   replyreport
7. 59

   Highvoltagewriterposted 12 years ago

   loosing my independence and mobility....for I do not want to end up in a Nursing home!

   replyreport
8. 61

   MobyWhoposted 12 years ago

   I've stopped worrying about money. If it gets that bad, Romney is right - it won't be the Ritz but there are safety nets and I assume I'll be too "out of it" to know or care. I'm already using VNA help for some basic needs, and have been in hospitals enough to know that modesty can hamper recovery.
   
   The escalation of medical costs is real and it's not going to get better. Simple example; I'm having MOHS surgery today for a squamous cell carcinoma on my leg. Nothing unusual for me or my husband. We both have lived on boats and water all our lives and are a mass of burned-out skin. Dermatologists have been our regular doctors from Florida to Vermont to Connecticut - anywhere the sun shines. You have to keep after these lesions as they can turn cancerous and invade other cells if not destroyed.
   
   Medicare and my husband's pension secondary insurance is paying for this care. We did not know the perils of sun damage until we were in our 60s - too late for prevention, and would we have paid attention?
   
   We are but two of millions of Americans with this problem...and we won't be a problem too long (I'm 81 and he's 92).  Following us are all the younger generations who use tanning booths, bask at the beach, and regard a glowing tan as a sign of healthy living.
   
   Our advice to the young today: become a dermatologist - good demand for your services, sure money and not many night calls. And to everyone - liberal use of sunblock!

   replyreport
9. 76

   ljrc1961posted 12 years ago

   I am a type A personality that worries about everything.  Medication for anxiety has calmed some of this but I still engage in self regret and apathetic thinking!  I worry that I will come to the end of my life and have a list of "to do's" that is longer than my list of "done's".  I have been a good mom.  I have pretty much single handedly raised my two children without their father's presence.  I have been a  loyal friend and a loyal companion.  I have been a teacher to many children and I know that I have made a difference in their lives.  I have volunteered, donated and taken in causes.  The one thing I haven't done is look out for myself.  I am fat.  Have failing joints.  Am developing arthritis.  Suffer from regret.  Have a deep yearning to travel the world and see the beauty of it.  I want to be able to experience other cultures first hand and visit different lands; staying until I feel fulfilled inside.  I don't know how I will pay for these dreams.  I don't know when I can find the time.  I do know that I need to begin before I am physically unable to.  That is my biggest fear of aging.

   replyreport
10. 60

    T15posted 12 years ago

    Everything!!!!!!!! More specifically, not being able to do the things I can do now physically....

    replyreport
11. 60

    bmukherjiiposted 12 years ago

    getting old means helplessness with poor health, depression and loneliness. I feel terrified thinking about these traits of getting old.

    replyreport
12. 85

    Taliskerposted 12 years ago

    Losing the ability to sprint away from danger.

    replyreport
13. 83

    LauraGSpeaksposted 12 years ago

    As I am seeing in my own aging parents, there are many physical, mental and emotional struggles to go through.  My own fear is what I see in them, their lack of ability to continue to see the positive in life.  No matter how challenging life gets, you have to appreciate all that you have and find goodness in each day.

    replyreport
14. 59

    athena2011posted 12 years ago

    I do not want to get so old where I am incapable of looking after myself. I do not want to be a burden on anyone. That is my biggest fear.

    replyreport
15. 0

    onlookerposted 12 years ago

    being depend on others for everything

    replyreport
16. 60

    Jeramiposted 12 years ago

    Short answer! ...  being too unable, and being too aware of the situation.

    replyreport
17. 63

    Ramsa1posted 12 years ago

    I'm getting there and I'm not afraid. Reason? We attract what we fear the most. Therefore, I'm not going to live in fear as it would tend to attract what I fear to me.

    replyreport
18. 59

    smzclarkposted 12 years ago

    Losing my mind and my ability to communicate. As long as I can think and talk for myself I believe I'll be alright :-)

    replyreport