For those of you who live alone, do you ever worry about what you will do if you get sick and have trouble taking care of yourself?

It's not silly at all. I have been going through that and it's a very tough situation. I have no children, and no one around to take care of me. In these last few years I have been ill, in the hospital 3 times. The world is not designed for old folks like me. I am trying now to find ways to cope. If you are rich, it's easier. I am not rich. If you are desperately, totally poor, there are some minimal social services that can sometimes help. But for me, low income, somewhat poor, living in one rented room, there is nothing at all.

You can eat canned and frozen food and, if you can afford it, get someone in to clean now and then, and send laundry out. For safety, you can get a service where you wear a bracelet and can call for any kind of help anywhere; not too expensive but you have to budget for it.

There are many other problems and situations you have to deal with; in a hospital, for instance, you will be last on the list for attention from doctors and nurses if you have no regular visitors or concerned family. That can be scary.

Actually, the whole thing is scary at times and lonely. You hate to complain to anyone because the first thing they will say is, "Where are your children?" And that makes you feel even worse, like you're just barely part of the human race.

Not silly at all. But I really only think of it in a more permanent sense in terms of losing my independence. One of my greatest fears.

I've been living alone for about six years, even after shoulder surgery. I was lucky that I belonged to a church where the ladies came to take care of me and bring me food and water. I was very whacked out on pain medication for about five days.

I have had a severe case of the flu once or twice, and when you are able, you can always grab bottles of water. You should keep some in the fridge. The same with saltine crackers. Always keep some in the house.

It has crossed my mind but like everything, it will work out so no worries here

I sometimes think of it, but it's one among countless hypothetical scenarios I figure I need not concern myself with. Like almost anything else in life, I'll deal with it when and if the time comes.

I hardly ever get sick and when I do it's not so severe that I cant power through.

So do I worry about that? No.

Are people totally valid in their fear of that? Of course.

It's a very valid concern. If I died in my house, I wouldn't be found for days.

I don't think much about it but if it happened it would cause me depression

No.
I´m in dayly communication with my daughters.

I've never even thought about it

I do now - thanks a lot !!!

Yes I worry