I've been at A&E all night accompanying my mum - luckily she is all fine now and the problem turned out to be not serious.
But it got me thinking - how do people cope when they are elderly and have no children and perhaps no partner either; what do they do if they need help in a medical emergency? I know you can always call emergency services, but what about emotional support and just feeling like you're not completely alone.
I've never felt that I have the emotional or relational skills to raise a child (I am 38 now) - and anyway, I wouldn't just have children so that there was someone to care for me in old age, as I feel that that would be a selfish motivation. (Also kids have their own lives and plans). I really don't think I could raise a child well, because I need so much down time on my own in order to function well. But on the other hand, I sometimes wonder about how I will feel later on, as I get older - I hate the thought of being elderly and vulnerable and on my own. I've never been in a long-term relationship; I might try again soon but I don't know if it will work out.
I guess I was just wondering if you know any older people in this situation and if so, how do they cope. Or are you in this situation?
On the one hand I spend a lot of life on my own and feel comfortable that way, but on the other hand, I really struggle without any emotional support. It's a kind of paradox.
PS - Thank you so much to everyone who's replied to my other posts - I want to reply properly, individually to everyone - hopefully I will be able to do this today.
