You nailed it, Devenny. I tried to prepare for the areas you mentioned (mental, emotional, financial), but it's damn hard when you're not half of a couple and you're caught in the clutches of depression. Many people our age are totally consumed with talking about their grandkids and it's all I can do not to burst into tears when that subject comes up.
@Devenny @doingbadly I so agree with both of you. Although I didn't really prepare. The way I have taken care of myself, I figured I would be dead long before now. That sure didn't work out. I do have a job, for now. Would not be able to exist without it. Been laid off 5 times. That has butchered my finances. And, like doingbadly says, not being half a couple is a problem. Big one is lack of money. So much depends on money these days. I remember a time when it was not so much so.
There are some people just aren't prepared to try to help. Maybe they just aren't capable of showing compassion to anyone, so they react to situations that call for compassion with hostility.
Talking to people can help, but only if you talk to people who can help you.
It might be an option if you move to a lower-income country. There are some places where you can live pretty well for not much money.
Talking to people can help, but only if you talk to people who can help you.
It might be an option if you move to a lower-income country. There are some places where you can live pretty well for not much money.
DeVenny,
Your story sounds like my life. Young I don't think I had a care in the world other then living for the moment. Now at 58 I am alone even though I am married. I retired from a job in 2016 of 26 years because of stress and anxiety with a small pension no insurance. I struggled hard for 7 months then got another job in the same kind of dysfunctional environment I left. I quit that one on Monday because they said my job performance was not up to their standards even though it was the same type work. Now I am back to a small pension no health insurance and sicker than I have ever been.
My body is breaking down like an old car yet I can't take care of it anymore.
I have asked in the dark nights to please let me go, I am tired and don't want to fight anymore yet for some reason I get up every morning and try again.
Your story sounds like my life. Young I don't think I had a care in the world other then living for the moment. Now at 58 I am alone even though I am married. I retired from a job in 2016 of 26 years because of stress and anxiety with a small pension no insurance. I struggled hard for 7 months then got another job in the same kind of dysfunctional environment I left. I quit that one on Monday because they said my job performance was not up to their standards even though it was the same type work. Now I am back to a small pension no health insurance and sicker than I have ever been.
My body is breaking down like an old car yet I can't take care of it anymore.
I have asked in the dark nights to please let me go, I am tired and don't want to fight anymore yet for some reason I get up every morning and try again.
My wife does help but she is on disability because of lupus and other auto immune issues. If it wasn't for that little bit she gets I would be deep doo doo. We are basically living from penny to penny. Because I know longer get insurance we have to pay for a supplement for her medicare so she can get the meds she needs. My wife has her on medical issues so I feel she sees my as secondary yet I have told her that I am breaking down and I feel if I break down the whole think collapses.
Life takes everything from us. If we knew what it would be like I wonder how many of us would even chose life. My boss's mom need to go into a nursing home. They are trying to get on Medicaid but it looks like government will take everything from her husband before she qualifies. Then he will have to move in with his daughter. Meanwhile, the crappy city I live in wants to spend $75,000 to change the name of a street. Assholes!
The baby boomers are the largest population. We paid into SSI. We activists in the old days. We need to lobby the politicians. Affordable healthcare is not affordable. The insurance companies made a high profit per last report. I understand a profit. But huge? They say SSI is gone in 2026. That is just 8 years away. Are we to suffer before dying?
In some ways, you sound like me as well, MPK. Except some days I don't even get out of bed -- just pull the covers over my head and cry. I admire that you keep on going.
Have you thought about applying for SSDI yourself? Yes, I know it is a long, drawn-out process (as you probably know as well from your wife's situation). But from what you said, your circumstances SHOW that anxiety issues have prevented you from keeping a job. You might have a shot at getting it -- for what it's worth.
Have you thought about applying for SSDI yourself? Yes, I know it is a long, drawn-out process (as you probably know as well from your wife's situation). But from what you said, your circumstances SHOW that anxiety issues have prevented you from keeping a job. You might have a shot at getting it -- for what it's worth.
I turned 50 on April 1, do I qualify for this thread?
@Devenny , I am going in for my 1st colonoscopy very soon (I hope). I had planned on it anyway, as 50 is the age they recommend to start screening. But I am very worried, as I have been having very troubling symptoms typical of colon cancer for a week or so. Now I wish I had had the scope done five years ago.
I glad you got the polyps removed before they turned malignant.
@Devenny , I am going in for my 1st colonoscopy very soon (I hope). I had planned on it anyway, as 50 is the age they recommend to start screening. But I am very worried, as I have been having very troubling symptoms typical of colon cancer for a week or so. Now I wish I had had the scope done five years ago.
I glad you got the polyps removed before they turned malignant.