End of life choice - mental or physical health?

[hbarcat]

Suppose you were 70 years old and were in great physical and mental health, and you knew that you had a good chance to live to about the age of 90 of so.

If you were then forced (hypothetically, of course) to choose between losing your mental abilities and living with a healthy body or losing your physical abilities and living with a healthy mind, which would you choose? The choice would be for the remainder of your life.

And why would you choose that?

[Sartori]

I expect to become somewhat weaker with old age. That doesn't bother me so much. But losing my mental abilities is like the loss of self. I would rather die.

[Chunk-O-Funk]

What kind of a F'n choice is that!

Either way you would be a total burden on somebody. The only difference is in the first choice you wouldn't know about it. Point is, if that's my only two choices it's less about me and more about the loved ones around me who would have to take care of me.

I want to die in my sleep with my passengers screaming.

[rcarraher]

Originally Posted by Sartori

I expect to become somewhat weaker with old age. That doesn't bother me so much. But losing my mental abilities is like the loss of self. I would rather die.

I'm only 54, which isn't considered that old, but over the last few years I have learned to deal with physical problems caused by a genetic disease. I've gone from a pretty active, and one time competitive long distance runner, to "I can get out of my own way". My vision is nearly totally gone, legally blind, can't drive and won't be able to do my work for much longer even with the help of computers. I can live with that and learn to compensate, but please leave my mental facilties alone.

[TOOL460002]

Originally Posted by Chunk-O-Funk

I want to die in my sleep with my passengers screaming.

i was about to weigh in on this, but i dont think i can top that. i will certainly be stealing it for future use. so: ditto.

[hbarcat]

Originally Posted by rcarraher

I'm only 54, which isn't considered that old, but over the last few years I have learned to deal with physical problems caused by a genetic disease. I've gone from a pretty active, and one time competitive long distance runner, to "I can get out of my own way". My vision is nearly totally gone, legally blind, can't drive and won't be able to do my work for much longer even with the help of computers. I can live with that and learn to compensate, but please leave my mental facilties alone.

This is the commentary I'm looking for.

I assume you are resigned to the fact that you are no longer going to be physically healthy but you would much prefer that than to be physically running around but mentally unsound.

[hbarcat]

Originally Posted by Sartori

I expect to become somewhat weaker with old age. That doesn't bother me so much. But losing my mental abilities is like the loss of self. I would rather die.

I agree with this, but I'm looking at modern reality - you can't just die.

When you are living in a nursing home you don't really have a choice.

[Sartori]

Originally Posted by rcarraher

I'm only 54, which isn't considered that old, but over the last few years I have learned to deal with physical problems caused by a genetic disease. I've gone from a pretty active, and one time competitive long distance runner, to "I can get out of my own way". My vision is nearly totally gone, legally blind, can't drive and won't be able to do my work for much longer even with the help of computers. I can live with that and learn to compensate, but please leave my mental facilties alone.

Exactly. I could live with not being able to walk, or not being able to see. I wouldn't like it, but I could learn to cope. But without the ability to carry on a decent conversation or communicate or even think coherently? That doesn't sound like a life I would find tolerable.

[Sartori]

Originally Posted by hbarcat

I agree with this, but I'm looking at modern reality - you can't just die.

When you are living in a nursing home you don't really have a choice.

If it comes to it, I will find a way.

[rcarraher]

Originally Posted by hbarcat

This is the commentary I'm looking for.

I assume you are resigned to the fact that you are no longer going to be physically healthy but you would much prefer that than to be physically running around but mentally unsound.

Thats it in a nut shell, in ways I am finding it mentaly stimulating in learning how to deal with the physical side effects. For instance, I am actually enjoying learning braile. Although, listening to books will take some doing, I find it another outlet of enjoyment just different than the enjoyment of reading. I'm kind of lookig forward to reading some books I've read before in braile. I also find that the physical things I am still able to do, I do smarter (like making one trip up the stairs to empty the waste can in the upstairs bathrooms), and that is strangely gratifyin that I "out" thunk the damn thing.

If the mind goes, I want to go with it, not to offend anyone.

[rcarraher]

Originally Posted by Sartori

If it comes to it, I will find a way.

You and me both, brother!

[hbarcat]

Originally Posted by rcarraher

Thats it in a nut shell, in ways I am finding it mentaly stimulating in learning how to deal with the physical side effects. For instance, I am actually enjoying learning braile. Although, listening to books will take some doing, I find it another outlet of enjoyment just different than the enjoyment of reading. I'm kind of lookig forward to reading some books I've read before in braile. I also find that the physical things I am still able to do, I do smarter (like making one trip up the stairs to empty the waste can in the upstairs bathrooms), and that is strangely gratifyin that I "out" thunk the damn thing.

If the mind goes, I want to go with it, not to offend anyone.

+11

[TOOL460002]

Originally Posted by hbarcat

This is the commentary I'm looking for.

I assume you are resigned to the fact that you are no longer going to be physically healthy but you would much prefer that than to be physically running around but mentally unsound.

oh, in that case, then i vote for mental faculties, with the caveat that i am physically able to play music.

at 25 ive already sustained a permanent injury that has made some of the things i once did impossible, and some of the things i still do much more difficult. id rather end up in a wheelchair on all kinds of medications enjoying family gatherings and whatnot instead of not knowing whats going on. i think losing ones mental faculties would be much more emotionally and monetarily taxing on others than a physical disability, provided it is not so extreme that you are on life-support in a hospital or something.

[NJL]

Originally Posted by Chunk-O-Funk

What kind of a F'n choice is that!

jerk!! LOL hahaha i was trying to go to sleep and you made me laugh so hard that now i'm wide awake.

[LilRay]

Definately physical health. If I lose mental faculties and I'm loading my pants, I won't care. If I lose mental health I won't know or care when I lose physical health.

I've been hell thus far in my life on the world, having a physical disability. Might as well go out with a Bang and lose my mind too.

God Bless, Ray

[JovialEvil]

I have lost 75% of my physical abilities already and am in constant pain. I would take the loss of mental capacity, that way you don't know what you are missing.

[hbarcat]

Originally Posted by Sartori

If it comes to it, I will find a way.

I know from my experience working in the health care field that any person who is self consenting may refuse any medical treatment. This includes any treatment that would prolong life such as medication that treats any life threatening disease.

For example: If I had diabetes, I could refuse insulin, and even if the result was that I would die within a week I would have the right to do so.

Similarly, if I had congestive heart failure and a history of 3 heart attacks, I could refuse the medication to treat these symptoms and there is no legal authority to make me take medication or undergo any treatment that may prolong my life.



The fact is: most people well past the age of retirement are dependent on a strict regimen of medication to keep themselves alive, and deciding to abstain from using such medication means they can die on their own terms.

[hbarcat]

Originally Posted by TOOL460002

at 25 ive already sustained a permanent injury that has made some of the things i once did impossible, and some of the things i still do much more difficult. id rather end up in a wheelchair on all kinds of medications enjoying family gatherings and whatnot instead of not knowing whats going on. i think losing ones mental faculties would be much more emotionally and monetarily taxing on others than a physical disability, provided it is not so extreme that you are on life-support in a hospital or something.

Maybe that's hard on others, but what about yourself? What would you like for yourself, assuming you had to live with yourself for a couple of decades?

[hbarcat]

Originally Posted by JovialEvil

I have lost 75% of my physical abilities already and am in constant pain. I would take the loss of mental capacity, that way you don't know what you are missing.

You are the only one to weigh in on this side so far. I would assume the "constant pain" has a lot to do with your opinion.


Can you still play bass? Play music at all? What about your future?

[hbarcat]

Originally Posted by LilRay

Definately physical health. If I lose mental faculties and I'm loading my pants, I won't care. If I lose mental health I won't know or care when I lose physical health.

I've been hell thus far in my life on the world, having a physical disability. Might as well go out with a Bang and lose my mind too.

God Bless, Ray

I have no idea what to say to that.