In the last few years - doraithodla/notes GitHub Wiki

Sriram brought up a question. What would you like to do during your last few years of life. We were talking about my mother-in-law who is 97. Would you like to be couped up in a bed in a room with smell of medicines? Would you like to be around people listening to conversations? If you are heakthy abd are are able to move around, it is a differen matter. What if you cannot see, hear or speak (weak throat muscles). It is a great but somewhat scary question.

We naturally assume that we want to be in a stimulating environment listening to conversations that remind you of your younger days, reflect on life in general and enjoying the company of children, grand children and great grand children. My gradma saw and held one year old Anika here great, great, great grand child 4 generations away from her. But grand mas's final six months was spent in bed. She had a hip injury and the Doctor thought it was too risky to put her in an operating table. She was 99.7 years old. We were hoping that she would live to be 100. She did not.

Before she was bed ridden, she was able to move around, take care of herself and read a lot (a couple of books a day). She was eternal curious and used to ask me questions whenever I visited her. She remembered the birthdays of all her grand children! If I have to model my end, I would like to be like her (except the last year).

We met a lady in Shenbagam who lost her husband. He was rather young by Shenbagam standards (only 67) and was fond of Janu. I believe that she was a singling partner. Watching his wife nearly a year after his death is heart wrenching.

So here are my end of life conditions.

Physical and mental agility
Ability to continue to learn and teach
See the family frequently
Not be a burden to anyone
Pass suddenly at home (not in a hospital)
Not complain about anything
Keep a sense of humor - always laughing and making others laugh