Why I Hope to Die at 75
The author discusses why he doesn't want to live past 75. He is currently healthy, but doesn't want to live many years disabled and infirm.
- From 1998 to 2006, the number of functionality disabled American men over 60 rose from 28% to 40%. Functionally disabled means they fail a test that includes walking a mile, sitting/standing for 2 hours without help, walking up 10 stairs, etc. The results are worse for women.
- Other numbers confirm a trend of decreasing average health over longer lifespan; ie. while life expectancy has increased, the years at the end are still filled with disability and sickness.
- The author shares a personal story about his father's personality changed after a heart attack at age 77. He became more sluggish. From the article:
Although he didn’t die from the heart attack, no one would say he is living a vibrant life. When he discussed it with me, my father said, “I have slowed down tremendously. That is a fact. I no longer make rounds at the hospital or teach.” Despite this, he also said he was happy.
- As another example, the number of stroke deaths declined by 20% from 2000 to 2010. However, stroke survivors may still suffer from paralysis, loss of speech, or more subtle loss of brain function.
- 1 in 3 Americans over 85 have Alzheimer’s
- Concerns about parents living into their children's retirement age
The author doesn't believe in assisted suicide, but he intends to refuse medical treatments that would extend his life past 75, including cancer screenings, cancer treatment, treatment for pneumonia, flu shots, etc.
Once I have lived to 75, my approach to my health care will completely change. I won’t actively end my life. But I won’t try to prolong it, either. Today, when the doctor recommends a test or treatment, especially one that will extend our lives, it becomes incumbent upon us to give a good reason why we don’t want it.
At 75 and beyond, I will need a good reason to even visit the doctor and take any medical test or treatment, no matter how routine and painless. And that good reason is not “It will prolong your life.” I will stop getting any regular preventive tests, screenings, or interventions. I will accept only palliative—not curative—treatments if I am suffering pain or other disability.
In terms of government policy, he advocates for research into extending quality of life and treating chronic conditions, and doesn't think it's valuable to extend life expectancy past 75.
The author wrote this at age 57, in 2014. Today he is 63 years old.