Growing older is rarely kind.  It seems that for every story we hear of someone aging well, we hear of at least three or more who faced enormous health battles and after a heart wrenching struggle, ultimately lost.

I would also suggest that by the time you are 80, if you have not fought or are not fighting a life threatening illness, you are the exception.

We are living longer but at what cost?  Financially and emotionally, families are exhausted.  The lifespans of the terminally ill are now being lengthened, which is a wonderful gift, but like all gifts, a price is paid by all involved.

We are all generally aware of the enormous costs of medical care, long term care, rehabilitation and medicine.  Has anyone ever saved enough to cover the projected cost?  How do you pay for this and have the now fictional retirement of your dreams?  The circle of life, the dream, seems doomed to fail.  How do you make a plan at 30 for this?

This is a depressing thought but it is the reality faced by many we know.

I am not an expert in this field and have written this article based on my observations, speculation and conjecture. Having said that, I challenge you to prove me wrong.

To grow old, be healthy, comfortable and dare I say, happy, is bordering on being a miracle.  I would be curious to know if the amount of people who are “old” and actually “happy” today, with all of our medical advancements, is any higher than they were 100 years ago, all things being equal.  We may live longer today but how many are actually happy?