I suppose it's not legal in most places, but I think if I reached an extent of failing mind where I was unable to do any sort of productive work, even part-time, I'd take the euthanasia option. What's the point of just sitting around senile in a nursing home for years on end?
I do still agree some significant savings are needed, e.g. for the case where your mind is still reasonably good, but you need physical assistance. But this article is talking about thirty years of living off savings! I definitely do not want to live thirty years of my life in which I'm completely unable to do anything but sit in a nursing home living off my savings.
Definitely don't agree with the last point, if it isn't accompanied by a minimum of mental awareness and quality of life. Certainly the (thankfully, few) elderly people I've known who died after a long, drawn out decline were quite unhappy about it. My grandfather lived 10 years past going blind, breaking his hip, and going increasingly senile, and spent about the last five years of that time constantly asking why God wasn't letting him go when it was his time to go. Doesn't sound appealing to me.
I think everyone I know over 65 has given whatever do-not-resuscitate/no-life-support/etc. directives they can, and would give more if it were allowed. The single most common fear I've heard people of that age express is not a fear of dying, but a fear of living too long past the point where their health runs out.
Look at facts. The vast majority of the elderly die of their health and not suicide.
Annecdotally, my grandfather, 102 years old, is a bit senile at this point yet still chases women, sings whenever he likes, and is generally an upbeat fellow. My wife has late stage Huntington's Disease and yet still enjoys simple pleasures. I share a dread future with my wife yet I am still here as well.
Happiness can be found in the most desperate of conditions.
Despite DNRs and such, there are many and simple ways to end our own lives. And, yet, the vast majority live them to the end.
Take this conversation, set it aside for 20 years, then tell me how you feel. I suspect the combination of marriage and children will change your outlook.
I do still agree some significant savings are needed, e.g. for the case where your mind is still reasonably good, but you need physical assistance. But this article is talking about thirty years of living off savings! I definitely do not want to live thirty years of my life in which I'm completely unable to do anything but sit in a nursing home living off my savings.