I never minded living alone, however, now that I am 77 years old and facing death, I am quite worried. Not that I mind death mind you, but I am worried about the process. Take a stroke, as an example, I could end up having a stroke and being unable to move or even make a phone call. In that case, I would simply lie there and slowly pass on. The only time anyone knocks at my door is once/month the building owner comes to collect the rent on the 1st of the month. Thus, it would be many weeks until anyone discovered my body. Jeez, this seems to be an insurmountable problem.
At least you got someone collecting rent. I could easily be here for months or longer. But what are your gonna do? And what difference does it really make? There was a sorta-similar thread recently where we discussed Wellness Call apps...but you have to have an emergency point of contact for them to call if you don't check in every day. And when you say you are "facing death," I assume you don't mean you have something going on you've not shared, do you??
Has this come up due to an imminent problem or simply a recognition of your age? I could understand either way, but a lot of people live into their 80s or 90s. As @John Brunner mentions, there are apps that can be used, as well as devices that would summon 9-1-1 if you have a fall and don't cancel the signal to indicate that you were okay.
I think a great percentage of seniors end up alone for one reason or another, so it's not unusual to die alone. Do you have a neighbor you could ask to check in on you every day or so?
Along with the suggestions that have already been made, there’s something I haven’t thought of before now and that is if all one is looking for is to have someone stop by once or twice a day to do a wellness check, maybe the Boy Scouts have something along that line in their merit badge system. It wouldn’t be hard to find out who the local troop leader is and offer the suggestion on your own behalf and it wouldn’t cost anything except a donation once in a while and it could lead to a friendship of sorts.
What difference does it make ? I don't understand the question. I thought I had explained myself. I have a fear that I could lie on the floor and still be conscious , but unable to move. Not a good way to go out. Facing death: every week that passes, I get weaker and weaker. I have had 2 heart attacks, and 5 stents placed in heart, and diabetes continues to plague me.
I live in Mexico and none of my neighbors speak English. I have tried to make friends with them, even cooking occasionally for them , but they don't seem interested in being friends
From your OP title, I think he was referring to a death, as in what difference would it make (to you) if your body wasn't found right away. That's the way that I read it, anyhow. Being conscious but unable to move or summon help, the difference would be obvious.
I'm sorry. I skimmed over the "might lay there and suffer" part and moved to what my concern here has been regarding my mortal remains not being discovered for some time. THAT was the part that would be a little disconcerting, but I would not be there to worry about it, hence my cold reply. I did not realize you had those health issues. I worry about the same "injured and no way to summon help" thing being here alone, on a remote piece of property at the end of a private drive. That's why I got a watch phone with one-touch 911 as my Life Alert device, assuming I would be aware enough to push & hold the button. I did a quick look to see if a Life Alert equivalent were available in Mexico and did not immediately find anything, but I think you need to use a regional search engine.
@Richard Whiting - regardless of what is wrong with you, that does not mean your on the brink of death yet. To long to explain but , do not try an second guess your demise. There is Med Alert,you can wear around your neck that would alert medical staff if you fell or if you just needed help. If not available where you live , there are the phone apps you could use. You could also ask someone on here to call or send you email asking if your okay. At best be sure and check in here at least once a day. Also leave information where someone can find it if you do not check in and they are police have to enter. Name ,doctor, family, friend, meds / You can also list this info in your phonre. You list it in contacts as ICE- in case of emergency... The real issue that bothers you is being helpless and or passing and not being noticed and being alone. Ask the landlord if he would check on you ever so often .
And…when I offered my suggestion, I had forgotten he lives in Mexico which pretty much makes my post on par with useless.
Exactly the same with me, only good news I had this week was my blood work looked good and my blood pressure is not real high. I am a couple years behind you but really our circumstances are the same. All these cats keep me company and they depend on me, had to turn on a little heat a moment ago because we have had one of those April rain parties and it is still showering this evening and I hope all night so I can sleep well listening to that rain fall. I was given an allergy pill on my visit to the clinic and it makes me so sleepy so I take it at night as they suggested and I sleep so much better with it while it does help my sinus. I don't think about the future any more since I've already reached it, can't get any better or worse for me so I strive to enjoy it each day best way possible. Tomorrow I am going to get up have my coffee and do some work on my little Tank game. Had a 3 day stop on it due to finishing up a computer rebuild and reassembling two which I used parts from to diagnose the other rebuild. They all are finally working again and I will rest tonight, no more trips to the post office to pick up parts. I too missed reading you had a heart condition. My opinion I think I would find a home stateside and have good care 24/7. There are several here where I live rural and if I did have a decline in my health and choice to live alone I would make the move. Something most dear to me is to be independent but once you can't do anything for yourself you have to let go and do what is best for yourself. In a lot of cases people actually will live longer if they have care near them. I certainly hope the very best for you and many many more years to decide for yourself.
While I can see the attraction of living in Mexico, as far as stretching limited funds, I don't think I'd want to be there if I were alone, aging, and/or unhealthy. By that, I'm not disparaging Mexican doctors or the country's healthcare system, although if asked, I suppose I would do that, but the Mexican healthcare system is for Mexican citizens, particularly for those of means. Having lived very near the border for many years, that's my impression anyhow. Although this may not be the case throughout the country, the border areas are not very safe for American citizens these days, I am told by friends who still live on the border.
Re: safety in Mexico. I know they say that living in Mexican border towns is not safe for American citizens, BUT I have lived in TJ for the last 12 years and I have never had any trouble what-so-ever. That said, I seldom go out at night AND never to the to any bars.
I haven't been in Tijuana since the late 70s, but I have friends who have lived in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas all their life who won't cross the border into Reynosa or Matamoros anymore.