The following appeared in the publication, Seniors Today, under the heading, Suicide prevention for seniors.

“Anglicare Sydney has announced their Suicide Prevention for Seniors Program has expanded nationally to all states and territories until June 2025, through funding from the Australian Government.

…

“Australian men aged 85 and over have the highest rate of suicide, yet are less likely to use specialty mental health services. Equipping those who support older people can play a significant role in lowering the suicide rate in seniors”, said Michael Sheedy, Head of Mental Health at Anglicare.”

There may not be a mental health problem. A man over 85 years old may look at where he is in life, be mentally healthy and make the rational decision that death is preferable to his probable future. He knows what he has done in life. He can reasonably assume what he has to look forward to. He knows his options are limited. If he has family or friends who care for him, they will probably grieve and then get on with their lives. They would do that whether his death is due to suicide or other causes.

As Swinburne wrote in the Garden of Proserpine:

“From too much love of living,
From hope and fear set free,
We thank with brief thanksgiving
Whatever gods may be
That no life lives for ever ;
That dead men rise up never ;
That even the weariest river
Winds somewhere safe to sea.”

I am 97. At this time I want to continue my life. However, if I wanted to end it, it would not be Anglicare’s business.

The Australian government can find better uses for the taxes it collects.

Yes. Anglicare should mind its own business. If old people - or anyone else - wish to top themselves, good luck to them.

Dear David,

Voluntary Assisted dying (VAD) laws have been passed in
Victoria, WA, Tasmania, South Australia, Queensland,
and NSW. The Northern Territory was one of the first
to pass the law in 1996 for the terminally ill.

In Victoria, the assisted dying act overall has had no major
obstacles to the functioning of the Act itself.

I remains to be seen whether there will be a deep fundamental
shift in attitudes to death and dying, to concepts of death,
to the care of the elderly and vulnerable people and the
goals and purposes of medicine.

In Victoria it has at least allowed the debate to move on and
possibly enhanced mutual respect for the two opposing sides.

I think this debate needs to continue.

Personally David, I hope that you shall live for a long time
yet and continue posting on this forum. You have much to
share and wisdom to impart. We need rational voices such as
yours in this world - not only to speak up and be listened
to - but to be heard and understood.

To life! To life! L'chai-im!
L'çhai-im, l 'çhai-im, to life!
To us and our good fortune
be happy be healthy, long life!
And if our good fortune never comes
Here's to whatever comes
Drink l'chai-im to life!

Dai, Dai, Dai, Dai, Dai, ...

My mother hated her last 6 months, confined to bed in a nursing home. She wished she had done something to end it while she still could. She was 99.

When a 76 year old mates wife passed 3 years ago he decided to have the things he'd always wanted. He bought a Ford Mustang, & Ford Ranger, a small 4wd tractor, a big shed to house it all, & some changes to his house to make life easier.

He hasn't driven the Mustang, or the tractor in 4 months due to pain in his hands & back. He wishes he'd spent the money 6 years ago, so he could have enjoyed the toys. He is also not sure the operations on his hands are worth it, the sleepless nights of pain don't seem to be improving anything.

When I drag the wheely bin the 75 meters to the front gate, it is a race between the knees & breathlessness to see which stops me. The new puffer is better so it's the knees at present. If my hands get as bad as my mates you will hear about an old dill who hit a tree at 100 MILES/hour, I am not going like mum.

Don't be sorry for me, I've had a fantastic life, better than most even dream of, the last decision will be, which car do I take with me.

Oh meanwhile Anglicare can mind their own damn business.

Dear Hassie,

The worst thing about ageing is the great sorrow of losing
family and friends and of course the health problems that
come with it like the loss of mobility, pain, and in many
cases - incontinence. As you grow old people you have loved
and imagined would always be there start, with wretched
regularity to leave your life. I was also devastated when
mum died at the age of 96, a few years ago. I miss her
very much.

It's not all doom and gloom though. There are perks to old
age. People seem to listen more. They think you're wiser
because you're old. But still - you also stop giving a damn
(most of the time at least). You have led a fantastic life.
I've enjoyed your sharing bits of it with us on this forum.
And I hope that you'll continue to do so. We may not always
agree - but I certainly think you're a great guy!

Keep on posting!