I am 75 and finding it hard to cope with the feeling that from now on things will get worse. My health will inevitably worsen, I will gradually become less mobile and unable to get about as much, older friends will begin to die, and I just feel like I’m on the final path to death. I don’t have money worries, fortunately, and being on sertraline keeps the worst of the depression at bay, but there’s this constant feeling of “what’s the point?”. How do other seniors deal with this?
hi sue, that’s a dreadful post to read! poor you, you must somehow stop worrying, if you have some health concerns they need dealing with to make it easier to cope. just live your life as best you can and enjoy any part of 1 day every day! i may be younger but already for years i have felt i would be better not around, if someone or something tells me to stay here so can something/one do the same for you.
I cannot wait till i am old. You do not have to work, you usually have grandchildren. Old age is awesome. Just keep your health in check, you do not have to be an unhealthy old man. You can be healthy, eat right and go the gym when you can. Old age can be a bad thing but usually old people are surrounded by loved ones. Its important you take care of your spiritual need as you get older, because death comes to everyone at some point. Not everyone is privileged to die old. If i get there thats great, but if not that is also great.
hi Sue. I’m sorry you are going through this. A lot of people in your age group feel the same way as you do. I am 66 so I am getting there. One thing that is very important as we age is having a purpose in life. Or feeling needed.
you had said what’s the point. There are so many reasons for you to be here that you may not realize. I found that one thing that gives me a purpose is when I help other people. even simple things like running an errand for somebody who can’t get out, or volunteering at a place that you enjoy such as a church or senior center , Library or numerous other places. You could do something maybe one or two times a week. It not only helps the other people but it is wonderful for our own mental health! I feel so good when I know that I helped somebody somehow. if we weren’t here, these people wouldn’thave experienced our kindness and helpfulness.
now I know that it’s Covid that is slowing us down, but as soon as people are vaccinated, we can do this.
also, something I found that lifts depression is getting a little exercise whether it’s just going on a short walk, a long walk, etc. what I do is yoga from home and it is unbelievably great for the mind and body! Right now during coronavirus, you can do it online on YouTube . they have senior yoga which is fun and slow paced and all different kinds. It lifts the spirits!
We have an alternative of just sitting around and thinking about what’s going to happen in the future but that’s something that nobody can predict. It’s good to live one day at a time and just do things that make you feel happy, make you laugh and smile. Otherwise I feel like I’m wasting my life if I just sit around and worry and feel depressed.
my daughter works in a rehab facility and one of her patients is 95 years old and still does line dancing once a week!
she said this patient does take one day at a time and doesn’t think about tomorrow she just enjoys today!
Every morning I told myself what I am grateful for. Gratitude is so good for the soul!
You most likely have a lot to offer other people and yourself! We both have years of experience that we can share with others. Think about checking into some of these things you can do and start slowly and build up from there.
I’m sure there are a lot of people who will be blessed to know you! You can also make a couple of friends to do things with. One thing builds onto another.
I hope this helped a little bit. you can private message me anytime. Take care and life is worth living! 
Hi Sue. I’m only 67 but I get these worries about old age as well. I think most people do when they get to a certain age. You are not alone. The best thing I have found is doing simple meditation. This helps to bring me into the present moment and appreciating what I have rather than my thoughts skidding off into catastrophic predictions about the future. As Mark Twain said, ’ my life has been full of terrible things, some of which actually happened.’
Living one day at a time helps, also forget about trying to make yourself happy. The best way to be happy is to help other people be happy. Focus on helping other people in any way you can. You have a lifetimes experience which others desperately need.