Aging and Dying Essay

Many people fear the thought of their death and how it might happen. However, most do not live long enough to get the chance to ponder about it before it is already happening. In his article "Why I Hope to Die at 75", Ezekiel J Emanuel indicates that at 75 years, he will have lived a full life. Emanuel argues that "I will have loved and been loved". Throughout this article, he provides numerous reasons why he thinks it is beneficial to die at 75, stating that he does not intend to commit suicide. His topic is controversial and sparks divided opinions. Despite this, I cannot entirely agree with his arguments, so I will explain my position using relevant examples.

Thesis Statement: I disagree with Emanuel's claim because it overlooks individual differences in health and fails to consider that age alone does not determine a person's well-being or ability to lead a fulfilling life.

Emanuel argues that 75 is the appropriate age to cease proactive life-prolonging measures. Nevertheless, this assertion raises several ethical concerns. While many view extending life as a worthy goal, Emanuel believes the elderly encounter numerous health issues, such as diseases, immobility, and diminished mental sharpness (Emanuel 1). Though the article encourages readers to consider these challenges, halting proactive measures at a set age is not a universal solution. One reason for opposing Emanuel's claims is that setting an age limit at 75 disregards individual differences in vitality, health, and life circumstances. Chronological age alone often fails to accurately represent a person's overall well-being and ability to lead a fulfilling life. Many people maintain good health and wish to continue proactive measures to extend their lives beyond 75. Advances in medical research, technology, and healthcare now offer ways to address age-related issues, improving the quality of life in old age. Genetic therapies, regenerative medicine, and personalized treatments present opportunities to extend health spans and manage age-related diseases (Hall 1). Moreover, many people prioritize longevity, making the choice to pursue life-prolonging measures a personal one. Respecting other people's choices to take proactive measures shows respect for their autonomy, which is the opposite of Emanuel's arguments in the article.

One argument for Emanuel is the consideration of the quality of life. Undoubtedly, as people age, they face several challenges, including health, housing, and income challenges. Regarding housing, aged people face difficulties linked to affordable housing options. This is evident because age-friendly housing becomes important as physical and mobility capabilities adjust. Recently, there have been different housing options in the U.S. intended for aging people, including assisted living communities, nursing homes, active senior housing, and in-home senior care. People interested in these housing options can make legal arrangements and choose whom to live with.

In my case, I can afford active senior housing, which will allow me to live with my family members. Living with them will create joy and give me a reason to smile as I enjoy my golden age. I am hopeful that at the age of 75, I will not have developed health conditions. However, I can hire a healthcare professional to assist in care. Although living in a senior care facility comes with a high cost, I will use my long-term savings to cover the housing, medical, and any other bills in the house. I am optimistic that I will be in good health even at 75, and I will not be a burden to my family members and friends.

Income challenge is another factor that affects many people's lives as they age. Retired people tend to endure financial difficulties due to fixed incomes, rising healthcare costs, and possible gaps in retirement savings (Emanuel 1). These challenges impact older adults and their capacity to afford housing, healthcare, and other vital expenses, affecting their quality of life. However, there are some exceptions in this case. I disagree with Emanuel's article because while some people may stop taking proactive measures at a specific age, others may prioritize preserving their physical and mental well-being for many years. Hence, the choice to seek proactive measures is extremely personal and relies on individual values, health status, and their longing to maintain a fulfilling life. Instead of imposing a certain age limit (75), Emanuel's article failed to address the issues aged people face and offer support systems that promote their quality of life. These include affordable housing options, accessible healthcare services, social support networks, and new policies dealing with income disparities and monetary security in old age. By prioritizing the above aspects, I think aging people can be helped to lead fulfilling and meaningful lives and maintain their happiness further than the age cutoff.

The article by Emanuel provides relevant insights, although I can't entirely agree with some of his views on death at 75. What I find helpful in his article is how people should start preparing early for death, particularly after they reach old age. Emanuel presents several challenges and burdens linked with old age, including cognitive and physical decline, chronic conditions, and increased dependence on medical care. He presents claims about the hunt for longevity at the cost of quality of life, highlighting the value of focusing on the relevance of life instead of prolonging it, which I highly oppose because each person is unique, and we all have varying health needs. However, I affirm that the article prompts me to reflect on certain values and priorities regarding aging. The knowledge gained from this article can influence my decisions and standpoint on aging and guide me to evaluate the possible trade-offs between quantity of life and quality of life. However, the article exemplifies one viewpoint I find inappropriate because I hold a different belief regarding aging and priorities about prolonging life.

There are health challenges linked with aging, such as dementia, Alzheimer's, reduced mobility, and reduction in mental acuity (Hall 1). These conditions have a huge impact on the quality of life. My stance on aging is that there is a need to deal with these issues and endeavor for progression in medical research and relevant support systems to promote the well-being of aging people. Aging is a natural process that comes along with physical and mental changes. However, I think the concept of aging gracefully is subjective and differs from one person to another. I will approach aging with a positive mindset and embrace the experience and wisdom that come with age. The claims by Emanuel is that people should accept aging alongside its physical and mental limitations and die at the age of 75, which I do not support.

I am hopeful about science's capacity to alleviate the declines linked with aging. Besides supporting self-care, recent scientific progressions can promote our understanding of aging mechanisms and create reliable interventions to manage or delay age-related conditions. The reliance on regenerative medicine and therapies can provide favorable avenues for prolonging health span by dealing with age-related conditions. Emanuel argues that the recent trials made to stop Alzheimer's have failed, Americans live longer than their parents while being incapacitated, and in the coming years, many Americans will suffer from stroke-induced disabilities. He justifies this by revealing that "living too long is a loss." However, all these claims are not justified by healthcare bodies and do not necessarily quantify a person to end their life at the age of 75. 

Conclusion

Although Emanuel's article is informative, I'm afraid I have to disagree with his claims. The aging process is personal, and some people may prefer to continue seeking proactive measures to prolong their life beyond 75 years. Hence, an arbitrary age restricts the diversity of people's aging experiences. Many people are still optimistic about the capacity of science to eradicate the declines linked with diseases, which varies with how Emanuel's claims downplay scientific developments. Aging does not simply revolve around the length of life. However, quality of life is essential because people may emphasize maintaining cognitive abilities and rely on proactive measures to promote the quality of life during old age. The readings on aging offer a nuanced standpoint on the issues and solutions linked with aging. Further, they highlight the desire for a holistic approach to aging, especially one that entails medical advances, social support and personal choices in circumnavigating the aging process. The quality of life challenges experienced by older people should be dealt with via inclusive healthcare systems, income support programs, and affordable housing instead of focusing simply on the arbitrary age limit proposed by Emanuel.