It depends. If i were feeble and needed help with every day tasks or anything like that then no. A long life with no freedom or quality of life would be hell on earth to me.

However, if I were healthy,happy, independent and of a sound mind then yes, I would want to live as long as possible.

If my mind remains sharp and I am in relatively good health, sure. I know quite a few people well into their 90s who have a good quality of life and find more pleasure in living than many much younger people. I think of them as survivors who value the time here. I find a lot of younger people are less likely to handle what life throws at them and give up far too easily. I think the older generations had more practice dealing with the ups and downs of what life throws at us. We weren't as sheltered as later generations. The farmers and ranchers Kath mentions have a can do mind set. They don't live in the "what if anxiety ridden mode", they haven't time for that. It's not just the physical activity, it's the mental strength they exhibit.

I always think...I'm not going anywhere until I experience what it's like to be loved. So...yes...it may take me that long.

My cousin’s husband just turned 99. She is 83. They are having difficult time on so many levels.

So, no, not if my life turns out like theirs.

When I was younger and more optimistic about the state of our current civilization, I wanted to live to be 200 or 300! such progress we'd be making, wouldn't it be fascinating to live to see all those advances. I'm more realistic now, although I try to hold onto some of that innocent optimism.

Personally we are planning our finances as if we'll both live to age 100. Almost certainly either DH or I won't make it that far. The main reason I'd want to live (in decent health) as long as possible is to be in my DD's life as long as possible.

I see people, that are just done....at age 55 or 60....that's not me! I'm having a great life...and ready to grab another 40 years!

My mom lived to be 100 and she definitely did not want to. She was ready to go the last 3-4 years of her life. She was getting very weak and not able to do much, and in the last year her memory started to fail her. She was just tired and ready to go. Long living women run in my family. I would like to make it to 80 or 85 to see my grandson grow up, but not 100. I am 69 now, and not as healthy as my mom was at that age. I have always said I want to live long enough to find out who killed Kennedy. LOL

I always have, but the way this World is so torn up and nasty, not sure I want to have to

deal with it with nothing but hearing all the bad things happening day after day after

day for that much longer. Violence, Lies, cheating and greed seem to be the way to live anymore.

"You will when you're 99". LOL Yep, that's about it, isn't it?

Nope, I want quality of life, not quantity.

Nope here too, even though I'm still in good health now I doubt that I'd get past 90 anyways.

My grandmother passed a few years ago at age 103. Very healthy and mobile until 100, when she had to move in with family. Even then, she was getting around great with a walker. She was surrounded by family and love.

However, my answer is no. She outlived two husbands, two children, her siblings, her cousins, and all of her friends. I always thought she must have been incredibly lonely with no peers left. Now, if we all lived to 100, then sure. I'm in.

No...never!! i am so done with pain.

My Aunt Addie was 101 when she died. She lived by herself and took care of herself. At her 100th birthday blowout, she sang karaoke and led the conga line around the restaurant. If I could be like my aunt, I would consider it. The chances of that happening are not good.

No. Not to 100. I'm 82 now and God willing I will be granted a few more years of life yet, but I am ready to be called home to heaven whenever God is ready. I look forward to a perfect, painfree body and a beautiful life eternal in heaven with no worries, reunited with all humans and animals that I have loved here on earth.

I'm aiming at it, longevity runs in my family. My Mom's mother had eleven children and all of them have lived up to high nineties in pretty good conditions. My Dad's side is similar, early nineties.

I would like to live another 20 years which would be 90 but my DH does not. His mom is 93 and is not a poster child for embracing life and that's his example. My mom embraced life until dementia slowed her down at 85. She is still alive but no longer understands anything.

The idea of only living another 10 years makes me sad. I want to still be around my kids.

Nope. I'll be 86 in a few months and that's enough. I live in an independent living facility, but I have mobility issues,, and other health issues, the food is bad, the activities are geared toward 6 year olds. . .

I have no grandchildren, two married sons, but only see the one out of state about every six months. I physically can't manage to visit either of their houses, and their wives are not very communicative and not helpful..

Sorry for the poor- me attitude, but as for quality of life, and the state of the world these days, I do not want to participate anymore.

Yes I do and I want to be free of any dementia. Sharp as a tack, as they say.

An observation of my Dad: when he was in early stages of Alzheimers he'd often say "I might not wake up tomorrow and that would be fine." And, "I'm not going to do anything to end my life artificially, but I'm ready to go." As his dementia progressed, he no longer says stuff like that. Instead, he seems happy enough to live another day(s). So who knows.

It depends. At what age can I quit having to plan meals?

But seriously, I have longevity on both sides. A couple of 100+, most of the rest 90+. If I can be like my Aunt Sally, 93 going on 63, I'll take it. Active, sharp, with a positive outlook. If I have to be like Dad, with bed lift and wheelchair and home health aids, no thanks.

I want to live as long as ihave quality of life and am not a burden to others. My mother was good until hr mid 90s Now she is nearly 105, blind, dementia, totally reliant on care. Fortunately she is not in pain, is not incontinent and can walk a few steps if assisted. Every once in awhile she has lucid moments and we can talk. If she could push a button and be released from this life she would. She has said as much. Its horrible and I hope i am spared her fate.

Maxmom, i wish I could give you a hug.

I had several relatives that lived well into their 90's. Quite a few made it to 99, two past 100. My mom lived to be 93 and was OK untill the last year. Most of the relatives lives weren't that great in their 90's. They didn't do anything or go anywhere. They had a lot of heath problems and were just waiting to die.

At 70 I have a list of health problems as long as your arm. The last 2 years I have gone downhill faster than expected with Parkinsons. I often wonder if I will make it to 75. I can't walk more than a few feet without a walker or stand more than 5 minutes. DH has to do everything now around the house, including help me do things like get dressed, and that is not fair. We are already dealing wtth an Autistic adult child that is Bipolar and has extreme OCD. He is on medication, but doesn't help much. And there are no places to put him.

The quality of life is pretty low since I can hardly do anything I use to do. I miss gardening, photography, baking, crafting, and jewelry making. I just go from bed to recliner then back to bed. lf it gets much worse I am ready to go. I don't want to live to be even 80 if it means both body and mind are gone. Sorry this turned into such a downer reply.

I am 75 and I think I am in good shape for my age. I have some arthritis, but my health is good. I take no medicine. I would like a few more years. I want to outlive my horses. Then I would be ready to go. I have no one to help me or take care of me, so if I can't live alone or take care of myself, I am ready to go.

blf, we must be the same age. This (The idea of only living another 10 years makes me sad. I want to still be around my kids.) is my feeling exactly. For me, I want to be around to have fun (dance, sing, giggle, play, cuddle) with my three granddaughters who are turning 4 and 2 (twins) in July. Their mom also has a July birthday which makes it quite the celebratory month for all of us. If I were to drop dead tomorrow, that is the only thing I would regret- the fact that they would not really remember me because I have such wonderful memories of my grandparents.

Oddly enough, I chose the number 120 when I was a child in the 70s.

Yes, I want as much time as possible with my family and friends. I love the beauty of our world. And while the news is terrible, the truth of my every day life is not. Focusing on the out- sized harms in the world, from violence to climate change is a recipe for despair and depression.

The Stoics had it right. Control what you can; let go of the rest. If there are issues you care about contribute as best you can to their resolution. That will not only help fix the problem, but you will be pleased wih the feeling of acting on your values, instead of being jerked around my sensationalist media trying to keep your eyeballs glued to horror, when in fact you can be an agent for good somewhere. Choose agency over helplessness, no matter how small your piece is, it matters to someone.

Physically, I come from a family where people either age super well in both body and mind, or drop dead in their early 70s from cancer. Add to that, we never know what accident or unforseen condition can get us, I am grateful for every day and greedy for more.

I am incredibly grateful for the gift of life.

For those struggling with their health, I am terribly sorry.

Dedtired: Thanks, I'll take it. It would feel so good.

I'll take whatever comes (I have both parents, a grandparent, and great-great grandparents who hit their 90s), but one thing I have done is to write rather detailed addendums to my Living Will/Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care spelling out what and what not I want done in the event of devastating injury or illnesses - especially if in the setting of dementia.

If I do not have my mind, I want to be gone period. Body is already failing me. I worked many years in long term care facilities. Most people approaching 100 are not in good physical or mental health. I also never want my kids to go before me. So I guess my answer is no.

I worked many years in long term care facilities. Most people approaching 100 are not in good physical or mental health.

Being in a long term care facility is not conductive to thriving at any age.

HAMLET

To die, to sleep—
No more—and by a sleep to say we end
The heartache, and the thousand natural shocks
That flesh is heir to. ’tis a consummation
Devoutly to be wish’d. To die, to sleep—
To sleep—perchance to dream. Ay, there’s the rub!
For in that sleep of death what dreams may come,
When we have shuffled off this mortal coil,
Must give us pause—there’s the respect
That makes calamity of so long life.
For who would bear the whips and scorns of time,
The oppressor’s wrong, the proud man’s contumely,
The pangs of disprized love, the law’s delay,
The insolence of office, and the spurns
That patient merit of the unworthy takes,
When he himself might his quietus make
With a bare bodkin? Who would fardels bear,
To grunt and sweat under a weary life,
But that the dread of something after death
The undiscover’d country, from whose bourn
No traveller returns, puzzles the will,
And makes us rather bear those ills we have
Than fly to others that we know not of?

NO! 80's is enough for me. I'll be 83 soon.

Sending virtual hugs to all of you ready to go soon. I'm glad we have this place to come to and "visit" at least. It's hard not being able to do the things we used to do, get around easily, etc...then there's not having family and friends around. I think that's one of the hardest things to deal with.

No. 82 maybe. or 85.

Nope. Ideally I’d like to live as long as I am healthy physically and mentally. I’m turning 65 later this year and aging scares the heck out of me.

My DH had an aunt who was 101. One of her sisters was 104 and another late 90's. None of them were in really bad shape physically and all had sharp minds. Aunt said "I don't know why, but I just can't die. I think we should all shut ourselves in a room and turn on the gas." So I'm guessing living to 100 might not be such a treat as some think.

No. Maybe 82. 10 years from now, unless I get dementia in the next 10 years then I would want to die.

deleted; I don't want to specify a number after all.

in a perfect world - health, mental acuity, friends, family members intact, sure!

if not, not for me

Only if I'm still sharp mentally and pretty mobile. If I lose either of those areas, I'd prefer to just be gone.

Kath, as far as finding exercise for winter, there are tons of free walking, low or high impact exercises, strength training, yoga, etc. videos on Youtube. I also get outside for a daily walk, as long as we don't have ice. For me, walking daily in the cold helps make winter a bit more tolerable.

As someone else said if mentally and physically as intact as I am now. Plus if I have DH children and the rest of the family healthy and alive as well then sure. Otherwise I'm in the no category

As long as my health and my mind are intact I would like to live another 35 years. I want to see my grandson grow up. My biggest challenge right now is I need a knee replacement but I am trying to lose weight before I have the surgery. My mind is sharp as I work everyday juggling two mentally challenging jobs. The downside is I fly a desk.

My mother died at 69 and suffered for years with post polio syndrome and emphysema. She still had hopes and dreams and was not ready to pass. Dad was spry until lung cancer took him at 87. I had an aunt who smoked like a chimney and still lived independently until she passed at 102.