Living to long can be a burden

Some people who are very elderly are subject to depression if they have outlived all of their friends and family and seldom have visitors in long term care facilities. They don't get invited out, they don't get to go out into nature to see beautiful things, and they don't even get to eat Chinese take out or pizza. They feel useless, and feel as though they are not needed by anyone.

I worked in a nursing home for less than 2 years, and I knew a woman there who was 99 years old, smart as a whip, and who read the newspaper every day.

But you also have to realize that some people are never happy, no matter how long or short their lives, because they only think about themselves. It's a never ending inward spiral of thinking negative thoughts.

There is very little that can be done, except perhaps to bring in a puppy or baby animal of some sort...or to donate videos of puppies and kittens.

People who are extremely depressed will also benefit from a donation of an ipod with recordings of music that was popular when they were in their late teens or early twenties. In her case, she would probably like music from the 1940's, like the Andrews sisters and the big bands.

I think we should start to think of ways to cull the modern population at 30 yrs old,everyone under that age is safe,over it you become pig feed,hence it will help the planet,save econimies,increase fertilizer production,increase crops,reduce housing,irradicate hospitals, That way everybody knows exactly how long they have to live,and then folks might pay attention to life.

She doesn’t get her own visitors and opens up to you her most honest personal feelings.
What a privilege!
She must have memories all the way back to the Great Depression, World War 2 and listening to the radio before TV was invented. I would have so many questions for her about happier times

I like my life the way it is now, although that wasn't always the case, but I can tell you that I no longer have the dream to live to 100 that I had when I was a kid.

I can understand how this lady feels, but I'm sorry that you felt useless. You're doing a good thing to volunteer to go and visit them. You'll learn much by talking to old people, including what you've just learned from this lady. The fact that she's talking to you means there probably *is* something she'd like to talk about, but you just haven't found it yet. Be patient with her. 🤗

I’ve never thought that old age was going to be much fun....

At least she has your visits to look forward to.

Don’t worry, there’s nothing really you can say. Just go and see her and talk normally, that’s what she needs. What you’re doing is precious to her. 🤗

Without a purpose or hold, living can itself get boring. Even mundane jobs like counting cash or managing a store or some game can do wonders to some.

aww that's soo sad sorry to hear that