What is the downside to living a long time?

Question

People work hard to live a long time. Will it be all it is cracked up to be?

Answer 1

I do work hard at staying healthy and alive, but the downside would be possibly seeing my children, mom and beloved husband go before me.

Answer 2

As long as health allows, living a long time is such and adventure. I don't see a downside, maybe because I just keep going left and right then up then down. Every day it seems something interesting happens and yes, life is a little more difficult because I can not walk very well anymore but from the time as a young person to now, it really is a time to examine what more I have to offer to my family and my community. There is so much more to do and I for one look forward to what may happen tomorrow, Maybe I will sell my place and have money to buy a little put,put car for myself. Then look out world.

Answer 3

Growing old presents a challenge to me.. How can I best use and share what I have learned so that someone that is young will not make the same mistakes that I have made or that they will at least understand what one possible result of their actions might be. I do not allow myself much thought regarding downsides. Those thoughts are non-productive and discouraging. My thoughts regarding the downside of any issue are unimportant so long as I keep my sights aimed on the goal. I'm headed for the top of the hill until I cross the great divide. Giddy-up !

Answer 4

The only downside for me is physical pain, but I hide it really well from my family. I try to be active and am to some extent, just don't hike as far and things like that. I try to not let pain get in the way of my life, but it does, sometimes.



But there are so many more upsides. I love life, my family, playing with the grandchildren and now have been fortunate enough to have a great grand daughter. There are just so many good things in our lives and we have to look at the positive side of life...yeah, now and then things bother me...but hey, who said life would be perfect?

yes, it is worth it all, all that is cracked up to be.

Answer 5

I used to kinda dread growing old. But now I am getting there (am there in some folks eyes) Each period of life has its pros and cons. You can either choose to enjoy the challenges or dwell on the negative. OK you have to be ready to accept the lack of ability to some of the stuff you could do when you were younger, but there is always something new comes along to take their place.



You also have to accept that friends and family are also growing old and may die before you (or you before them).



But it is nice to be able to look back over all the memories the years have given you. And also to compare life then and now.

Answer 6

I would think a downside to living long would be managing loss...after a certain age, that is what life becomes--managing loss.



A loss of bodily functions, of friends who die, of memory, of earning power, ability to cope, ability to remain patient...it's all about managing loss...



But if I got to live a long life I would strive for the upbeat, cheerful side, seeing my children grown and thriving, parenting my grandchildren, watching my grandchildren grown and learn...my own father died at 45, so I am keenly aware that time is not always on the side of people in my family of origin...



But I shall TRY to live longer...and I shall TRY to be grateful and productive with the time I have...and to help those whom I can along the way...those things should be the price for living a long, full life.

Answer 7

I don't think so. Sure you see a lot of changes------good and bad.But in the end, your friends die off. Your money doesn't last as long as you expected. No way to make more money. You can become a burden on your loved ones.Your health fails and you have no say to your care. If you don't have the money ---you're put in a nursing home and many are terribly mistreated.So I have my doubts about living a long time. But thanke God there are those that don't have this life to face. They have children to keep them, help them, and keep them safe. They have enough money to keep them longer. So it's according to what you have, who you are, and how you prepared I think.

Answer 8

I think we all know the downside to living a long life, you outlive most of your family and friends. I think we should focus on quality of life. If you stay actively engaged with new friends and younger generation family I think you could still enjoy your life. I recently hear about a study that says people who have a large circle of friends live longer, happier lives.

Answer 9

depends partly on genetics and partly on how u care for urself.if members of ur family have on average lived long and healthy lives up to the end(my grandmother died in her 90's,getting dressed to go to her 3rd party that week.her brother died at 92 on the dance floor!)then,u have an advantage.if u care for urself,eat right and ecercise,u have another advantage.i know many people who lived from the 80's up untill 106(older relatives and worked as a nurse.)most of them did fairly well,and enjoyed their lives.one 103 yr old was dating a young guy of 96-thats cool!they fell in love at the nursing home.another lady corresponded regularly with a friend she had known since kindegarten-both ladies were 105-their friendship had lasted a remarkable 100 years!if long life can be like this,its wonderful to have the extra time.u will probably have to live through and recover from,a gr8 deal of loss-the 105 year old i mentioned,had lost her parents,grandparents her husband and 2 of her 3 children and of course,also outlived many friends and aqaintances along the way.if u can grieve and recover,a long life can be good.if u dwell on ur losses and grieve without resilience,u just have extra time to mourn-not so gr8!so,ur oersonality and resilience plays a role in how happy u can be.u also have to have a high tolerance for the pains of old age-arthritis,etc.if u are not in terrible pain,and u can find joy in each new day,rather than wishing constantly for the past,then living a long time can be fulfilling.i hope to live to be at least 100.i try to have healthy habits.i have hopes that there is a heaven and an afterlife awaiting us,but in case theres not,i plan to be here as long as i possibly can. ps-the answerer who said every1 gets altzheimers is wrong.its a disease,and in some people it can begin as early as 40's or 50's.not every1 gets altzheimers,just as not every1 gets diabetes.some people get diseases,others dont.my dentist is in his 90's and has not retired.he is board certified to run a dental practice and certainly not mentally impaired.

Answer 10

None -- the only way to prevent that is to die young.



I guess it wouldn't be fun to live to be 105 or something like that and not be able to do anything or be in chronic pain. But living into retirement is great. We are having a hoot!



Yes, friends and family members have died and it was sad, but at least I had the time that I had with them and have all those fond memories.

Answer 11

longer lives skill a much bigger intake, and subsequently a extra robust stress on agriculture to grant for human beings. longer lives as a rule enhance scientific costs, as peopel grow previous theyr our bodies dont get extra appropriate, the older human beings get the extra utensils they're going to need. (man made knees/hips, scoot-mobil's etc) pension costs might enhance. superb now one gets a pension from age sixty 5 until dying. the working inhabitants pays for those pensions. the longer human beings stay the better the whole value of pensions may well be. expanding the charges for the working inhabitants. housing, human beings residing longer additionally skill extra human beings occupieing a city on a similar time, this lines housing, will enhance city length, skill consuption, and encroaches on natures terratory. this places a stress on nature.

Answer 12

Well Daisy Mae, I'm sixty six

And I'll tell you true I get my kicks

From having no clock to tell me when

To get up, go to work or sleep again.



I do as I please and have such fun

And it's good to be old but I'll tell ya, Hon -

It's all quite a pleasure, a joy-like a dream!

Till I look in the mirror and then I could scream!

Answer 13

Watching history repeat itself is a downside in my eyes. I'm watching the Democratic Party pulling the wool over the eyes of the innocent once again...just like they did when my generation got to vote at the age of 18 & the Dems helped us to "fight for our rights" & vote for the party that cared about their needs. Not much has changed...except the use of the internet & a few new catch phrases.

Answer 14

Probably worrying if my mind will keep working in order to make good decisions. That would be a downside to living long.

Answer 15

Paul N states is the way I see it.



To add to that - I don't want to be burden to my kids.



My husband is my care giver and I hate being his burden.



But because of him - I wake up every morning loving life and challenging each and every day.



I do my best - to make the best of each hour of the day.



I have many projects and my better half and I work on them together.

Life is good.



DeeJay - I live - I laugh and I'm happy.

Answer 16

There are plenty examples in nursing homes. Older people living poor quality of life. We humans were not meant to live so long. A lot of saddens with getting real old.



Just how do people work hard to live long? Actually two things influence longevity. Heredity and life style.

Answer 17

One downside is that you live long enough to see each new teen generation make the same fatal mistakes as the previous generations.

Each generation believes thet are invincible; until they're not.

Answer 18

From watching my own parents , I would say the hearing and the eyesight. It's the stuff younger poeple take for granted and when it becomes compromised, I think it's hard to take but they did with grace knowing that it was a part of the life cycle.

Answer 19

As long as you can mentally and physically take care of yourself it could be great. The other thing is that people are outliving the money that they've saved because they never expected to live as long as they do.

Answer 20

Well you will grow old and see family members get old too and die. Plus some of your friends. You have to work for so many years. Plus you might suffer and be in so much pain. But you have to live your life to your fullest, since this will be your one shot to be a human.

Answer 21

Only if you take care of yourself physically, make sure you have planned ahead and saved lots of money, or invested it wisely. Unfortunately things happen and life may take a different path then the one you chose and plan for so you can only do the best you can do and hope for the best.

Answer 22

I think the downside would be, out living your Loved ones.

Answer 23

My aunt is 94. She has gone blind, she has no children, her body is worn out. Even she says she has lived too long.



If you have your health and some money then old age can be fine but it isn't like that for most people.

Answer 24

That will be up to you. Keep your mind active and your body physically fit and you have a reasonable chance at an enjoyable old age.

Answer 25

We won't know until we get there. I am only 63 but look forward to living a lot longer. Hope good health stays with me. Poppy

Answer 26

well so far i have not seen any -- i think the main reason is that money is the last thing i will ever have to worry about which lets me live free and go and come as i please -- like a teenager with parents that could care less!!!

Answer 27

Not really. Most of your friends and siblings will be gone and your body starts breaking down. It's always good to do things while you're younger.

Answer 28

Think of the alternative for this life.



Lose of friends and family,Lose of memory,etc

Answer 29

Finally having all the answers and you find out they changed the questions. (or kicked them off) lol

Answer 30

-seeing sad things

-loved ones die

-more chance of having awful accidents

-life gets boring

-what can you do when your old?

-If you take medicine or something to live longer it ruins nature

Answer 31

Running out of money and friends.

Answer 32

Outliving our loved ones.

Answer 33

You get old, everything hurts - knees hurt, back hurts, joints hurt; stomach acid keeps coming up your throat at night and you half gag to death; can't get a hard-on, wife is dry and hates sex anyway; can't hear so well; can't remember anything, memory shot to hell, can't remember what you just did; no money, can't work; roll over and die best option.

Answer 34

Aging! It really sucks.

Answer 35

After you hit eighty, the sex gets better.

Answer 36

You can just do less and less, but it's great to be alive!

Answer 37

All of your friends, and people you love die before you do. it's heartbreaking.

Answer 38

WOW, Lyndsey C pretty much covered it..........

Answer 39

It hurts more and more.

Answer 40

if you live long enough you will eventually get alzheimers.