Does anyone feel old and useless with age?

I agree! I’m almost 80, and have a terrible time walking, without falling! Thousands of older people have retired in the area where I live, and the local medical staffs and local merchants, sometimes, make many of us older people feel old and useless! The one hospital here, is overloaded with older patients. This influx of retired, older people, has just occurred in the last 15 years, when our touristy area was advertised nationally, as a great place to retire! Dozens of condos and apartments have been built in this area, to accommodate all the retirees, so building and selling homes here, is quite profitable. Still, only one hospital, so medical personnel are overloaded with patients! My neurologist retired this last year, and I have had to wait, now, going on 7 months, to see the new neurologist that I have been assigned to. Meanwhile, over the winter, I’ve had 4 falls, where, luckily, I just got bruising! One time, when my wife had to go to ER for serious heart condition, we had to wait 5 hours to be seen, recently! My incurable, progressive neurological disease causes loss of balance, and walking and standing have become very difficult for me! So, still waiting to see a neurologist, six months later, I certainly feel old, useless, and neglected!! Add the brutal cuts to medical coverage by this administration, and, for sure, I and millions of other senior citizens, have been made to feel that they are old and useless! Back in my Grandpa’s time, elderly people were treated with some respect, and were made to feel that their contributions to society, were important!

Thank you Buddy for your reply it was very interesting. But I must hand it to you, only having one hospital around where you live would be a bloody nightmare when your real sick. I live in Sydney Australia & we have lots of hospitals around us, but like you the waiting time to see a Doctor can be anything up to 5 to 6 hours as well, only to have him tell you to go home and take some pills. I only found out I have cancer of the Liver & Pancreas back in July 2024 and the Dr at the hospital told me to go home and return in 6 weeks for another PET scan, If I had not gone to my local Dr the next day & told him what they said I would not be here replying to you now I would be dead as anyone could be. As for feeling like your going to full over all the time I have been like this since I had the 6 months of Chemo which is a real killer on it own. Then after having the first 3 months of chemo it was looking good but after next 3 months of chemo and another PET Scan the Cancer has returned in another part of the Liver. So who really wants to keep fighting on at our age. Not only have I got Cancer I have a Hart Problem & a Pacemaker plus High Blood pressor and the list go & no. Life Sucks at our age and Like you if it wasn't for my little wife I would just sit out side and get pissed ever day and watch the world go by
. Take Care Buddy & don't go fulling over unless you piss LOl

I am 75 almost 76 years old. I have mild cognitive impairment. I have polyneuropathy I have osteoarthritis. I have a balance disorder.

All those things keep me from going out and doing the things that I used to do like go shopping in the store. I can’t do that anymore. I order my groceries online they get delivered. I sit in my chair with my feet up and use my walker when I need to. It doesn’t sound like fun, does it
My life has never been better.
I am useful. I am useful to others And I am having a great time with my new hobbies. I just took up Painting and jigsaw puzzles and I have so many new volunteers who drive me places. I’ve become friends with them. I go to church. There are people there to greet me with a smile. How delightful is that?

So I don’t feel useless even though I can’t do physically what I used to do, but I have found other ways to be happy.

The single most important thing in my life is my relationship with Jesus Christ. He has gotten me through the death of my daughter , divorce, and lots of other heartbreak in my life. I thank him for everything.

I encourage anyone who feels like they’re useless to count their blessings. Write them down on a piece of paper get up get out make phone calls do something to help other people there are so many others like yourself. Make your life useful only you can do that. I live alone and I am just thrilled to death about that honestly so make somebody else happy. Have a wonderful day smile even if you smile yourself in the mirror smile that’ll make all the dark clouds drift away. Love to everyone

I am dealing with this daily at 71. After two years of constant medical problems I am very limited. I am working with a pschiatrist for meds and with a therapist; but, so far I still have suicidal ideation daily. I am tired of being so limited; but, I keep plugging along hoping it will get better.

I no what you are going through Buddy I've lost count
how many times I've though about ending it all. I just can't see the point of fighting week in & week out at my age and for what we are never ever going to be the same again, we are only just Ginny pig from the Cancer research lot.

@razorsharp: I can’t really relate to your feelings. I have terminal cancer and fighting for more time here. I know we are all different and wonder if your experiences have left you with no hope? I wish you peace & comfort.

That is an easy one to answer ( YES )
I wish you Peace & Comfort as well Buddy

Mind you just because I'm feeling this way does not mean you should give up your fight to keep on fighting no if you wish Ok

At 75 I'm allowed to repeat myself.
We have human minds and hearts!
We wonder and worry what we're here for, how can we justify ourselves, does anybody care or even notice me, etc. That's part of who we are. We needn't blame ourselves for those feelings. We can appreciate that we actually care about what ripples we make in the world.
We can appreciate that we can appreciate simple things. (My warm, not too strong cup of coffee, the people posting here, who really touch my heart, the redbird singing in the tree, my neighbors who ask my advice about carpentry and who did a very helpful favor for me, my wife, who's doing better, the therapist who's working on my vertigo, my memories of an old man and his dog who I knew when I was 22 years old.)
And let me repeat: you folks who post here about your struggles with life, you help me, you touch my heart and remind me that I'm also just a person doing what I can to have a good life. Maybe that's enough.

Going by your profile you have two kids, are they there to help you & love you ????you have a reason to want to fight on my friend