Is life not worth living after age 80?

[humanearth]

Someone said this to me and my father-in-law recently and they are a middle-aged person (maybe late 40s) told him that they wouldn't want to live past the age of 80. My dad is in his mid-70s, and still working full time at a job he loves and would love to be in the same field He'll be happy to pursue at least part time as long as he is able to -- think past 100, if he is lucky!

I could tell his feelings were really hurt by this person's expressed view, and I feel it is ageism. I was too stunned to reply at the time, but now wonder what I should have said? Nothing snarky.

[WindAtMyBack]

It's about quality if life. Simply being that old is not going to lower the quality of life enough to make it not worthwhile.

I think if you asked most people over 80 if it's worth it, the vast majority would say yes.

I know my father in his mid 80s was really afraid of dying. He still enjoyed life and wanted to live a lot longer. He still had a lot of things he wanted to do. He was pretty healthy for his age. He was not able to do many of the things he used to do, but that doesn't mean he didn't enjoy other things.

I know a lot more people in their 80s and 90s than people under 60. I don't know a one of them who thinks it's not worth it.

[OlderAndWiser]

Sometimes, I hear young people talking as if sex beyond age 50 is a disgusting idea (because, of course, they have no understanding of how aging works and it's so far in the future for them that they assume they will never get there.) I always respond, "Let me ask you about that question again when you are 49 years old."

[OlderAndWiser]

Thanks for MHO!

[douride2]

Go back & ask them this same question in 30 years I would bet their answer will have changed.

[Brainsbeforebeauty]

My grandma is in her 90's and would still run circles around many people half her age...

[humanearth]

I keep asking my 98 yr old aunt if she wants to jump and the Trampoline with me and the kids.

She swears she is young at heart, I say prove it. Go hop on the trampoline

[exitseven]

I know guys at the gym that are in their 80's and beyond that still move around and lift weights and they are engaged and smart and funny and yeah, it sucks to get old but you gotta keep stroking.
My next door neighbor where I go on vacation is a lobsterman. I went up there a couple of years ago during the winter to go snowshoeing. He was outside cutting up some firewood and he was all excited about this new lobsterboat he just bought. He was 79 years old. He is 81 now and I bet he is getting his boat ready for the summer.
I am almost 50 and in some ways I feel like I am jut getting started. I want to keep working out and learning and trying new things. I don't expect to have the strength and endurance I did when I was young but I hope I will be able to enjoy life, hang out with my future grandkids and contribute to society.

[someginger]

Depends on what your quality of life is at that age, hence why you should look after your body when your young.

[Wise4myage]

I think it will all depend on good my health is at 80. If I'm in a lot of pain and I can't live a somewhat normal existence, than its time I think about options.

[Pete671]

If you have quality of life then yes, even if I become infirm, if you're happy life is still very much worth living,

[Likes2drive]

You’re only as old as you feel, if I’m still feeling good in my 80s then of course I still want to live longer

[NorthwestRider]

That depends on your health

[Iron_Man]

Yes look at Michael Douglas’s father