Hi FOXY...

It would seem this topic is not drawing much attention. Alternatively, it's me that's not provided sufficient motivation or encouragement for others to contribute ? So I think it's time that I simply took my leave if you'll excuse me.

FOXY your last thread spoke volumes of good sense, particularly where we're depending on others to look after us when we can no longer care for ourselves. The sad fact is, when older people are placed in a retirement homes, or village, where the noun 'dependency' is employed, than another individual is actually 'paid' to care for you, and that's where the main problem arises.

There's no doubt there are many thousands of healthcare workers who put their heart and soul into caring for aged people in these homes. And we should be eternally grateful that these (dedicated) geriatric professionals, have unselfishly given over (often) their entire vocational lives to look after our aged. That said, there a small proportion of people who couldn't give a damn for their aged charges ? And there's even a much small number of misfit's within the profession, who delight in making these old people lives, decidedly unhappy - these people are despicable. A couple have even committed murder !

Personally, I'll not willingly enter a dependency facility. Should that likelihood arise, I'll take immediate steps to end my own life while I'm still able. I'll not leave a mess for either family or police to clean up ? Enough said on this issue, which is obviously personal.

Thanks again FOXY for your contribution, and you too HASBEEN, if you're 'on line'. To anyone else, I'm profoundly sorry if I've bored you. You can be assured it was completely unintentional and involuntary.

Dear O Sung Wu,

Thank You for having raised this discussion.
I for one got a great deal out of it.
It made me re-think some of my plans and also
face some of my fears.

I wish you a long, happy, and fulfilling life
and many, many more years of posting on OLO.

I look forward to your next discussion.

Take care.

Dear FOXY...

Thank you very much indeed for your most kind comments, I really appreciate them. Seems you win some and lose some ?

Take care FOXY.

Don't beat yourself up unnecessarily o sung wu...

"To anyone else, I'm profoundly sorry if I've bored you."

It is possible for people to follow a thread or a commenter with interest without feeling an incentive to always contribute to it.

As you say, "You can be assured it was completely unintentional and involuntary."

But then, so is incontinence... which, coincidentally is on topic!

Have you noticed that for many 'what we can expect as we grow older' is often the same as when we first entered the world?

Insentience, incontinence, being fed and bathed, dribbling, lack of fine physical motor skills and control, emotional immaturity, simple-minded distraction with colour and movement, delight in music, etc.

Oddly our early childhood is remembered as a stage of existence when we felt most secure, contented and loved... it would be nice to wish these feelings for all who grow older.

We go out of this world in the reverse sequence to that with which we entered it... including bright lights at the end of dark tunnels... but for different reasons.

Dear O Sung Wu,

You'll always be a winner in my eyes dear chap.
You have a good heart.

And BTW - my husband this morning has offered to
support me if I was interested in going back
to University full time to do a PhD.
I was totally taken by surprise - but it's something
that I have to think about. So it looks like my
"old-age," may be kept at bay for a while yet.

Hi there WM TREVOR...

William, thank you very much for your kind support, though quite undeserved I'm afraid ? A bad feature arising out of my former employment, one tends to develop (as a protective measure so I'm reliably informed?) an acerbic, often abrasive tongue which is(apparently) OK within the job, but patently intolerable outside of it !

And with some on this Forum and OLO, forgiveness even a degree of amnesty is not an arbitrary quality of their personality ? Therefore one must accept their judgement with good grace, and 'suck it up' as they say !

William, your excellent juxtaposition of infancy and old age is positively brilliant, and remarkably true. When you come to think of it, all those behavioural processes do occur as you so accurately described. Should it concern us I wonder, or accept it as merely part of the natural progression for our end of life ?

You occasionally hear of some notable, hitherto brilliant men and women who made remarkable impressions upon us all during their acclaimed lifetimes, languishing away in nursing homes, sadly in the depths of senility and not even recognising close family members ?

Thinking of these poor souls almost regressing back to their infancy, is disturbing to some I should think ? Personally, I'm a little more pragmatic (I hope?) and accept, this 'degeneration' is all part of natures plan, and there's bugger all one can do about it anyway ! After all, it's not an affront to our dignity if it's beyond our control ?

Your thread was absolutely brilliant the way you tied it all together, not to mention your very kind sentiments, for which I thank you very much indeed William.