Evaluating Longevity Calculators

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My 95 year old Dad had a stroke about a year ago. He sleeps 20 hours a day, can't walk and wears diapers. He was hallucinating and falling so often that we had to put him on Lorizipan to keep him from injuring himself, now he can't even communicate due to the side-effects. He has no quality of life although he does live at home w/a full time caregiver. He will be indigent in 4 years if I manage his money carefully with all the expenses. If he could make the decision he wouldn't want to live this way, being a hard working rancher who prided himself on his independance. I've come to believe that smoking a bit and having a few drinks ain't all that bad, after all who wants to be a vegetable on Medicaid in the end.

Amy of CO 5:12PM August 02, 2010

I cannot use the links to the longevity calculaors, as a white teeth popup makes it impossible to do so.

crappy design, very offensive

art denzau of NV 12:37PM July 10, 2009

I too wish I could leave this world with dignity and a smile on my face. A friend who worked with older people said that he doesn't want to live any longer if he has to have other people change his diapers. I feel that way too. I wish there was a way that we could legally be able to take our life. I have been in nursing homes where I visited with ladies and they begged God to let them go. I don't think people have to be depressed to decide they want to die. MY husband's uncle who was on dialisis made the decision with his wife and family's blessing when to go. He was a flying ace of WW II and had 3 planes shot out where he landed with them or parachuted out. He was not senile or demented. He got all his business in order. His family was taken care of. No one thought he had done anything wrong. It was very dignified way to go.

V. Wolff of MN 10:07PM March 13, 2009

Entering identical answers, I will either live to 71 (NW Mutual), 53 (Microsoft) or 73 (Living to 100). I am 47 now.

I guess to me the most important is not how long I live, but quality of life.

It seems in the USA we are obsessed with making people live longer, if it means our last years will be in pain, suffering and the humiliation of not being able to care for one self.

Keeping us barely alive lines up the pockets of the medical mafia. Why leave my children inheritance while I can leave every last penny I ever earned to a hospital or nursing home?

I hope that when the time comes, I will be allowed to leave this world with a little dignity and a smile in my face.

Karl X. of IL 3:06PM March 12, 2009

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The Best Life

Philip Moeller, contributing editor for U.S. News Money, writes about achieving success and happiness in older age.

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