Most of us have this idea that we will become old but not debilitatingly infirm physically or mentally. But that, sadly, is not going to be the reality for many of us. As the US slides into theocracy raised on Ayn Rand and fever dreams of a 10 cent minimum wage, old age is going to be an even worse condition to be in.
Having cared for a parent who suffered from dementia and another who is dealing with physical infirmities, I realized that I would do just about anything to prevent placing my own family in the horrible situation of such care. Not to mention not wanting to lose my connection to reality and perception. Do Not Want.
As I was walking out to get the paper in full on dark, I thought about how wild animals are reservoirs of rabies and distemper and that every now and then people get bitten and are faced with the prospect of a disease with a near 100% fatality rate. I realized that right now if in such a position, I would want the rabies vaccine.
It’s a pretty simple mental test about my present state of resilience. Still there. And yes, I understand that conditions like dementia can rob us of our agency. And I see that I am currently living in a country where the party of Jesus does not give a shit what happens to others. As they work to take our life savings away from us, I’m just saying you might need a plan.
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