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Fair winds!

Dave and Anke
triloboats swirl gmail daughter com

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Sailing at Twilight: Thoughts on Aging Aboard

Allen and Sharie Farrell, life-long sailors.

Don't mind the rain, nor the rollin' sea.
The weary night don't bother me.
But the darkest hour of a sailor's day,
Is to watch the sun, as it fades away.
From The Grey Funnel Line by Cyril Tawney






Comes a day they slow to a stop.










Beyond that point, these interventions come at a terrible price.



Here is ours...


Because death is coming, my life is in short supply.
Because my one precious life is precious,
   I choose not to trade quality life for poor.
Because I will not trade, I accept my death.
Because I accept death, I am free to live.






How do I know that my youth is all spent? 
But in spite of it all I'm able to grin
When I think where my get-up has been!


  1. Great post, Dave, and a good summing up. I am 4 years older than you and have been amazed, as my 50s have progressed, at the exponential decrease in metabolic function. Your summary of decline fits this well, as well as your coping strategies. All this was written with the american medical system in mind. These past years I've been researching expatriation and thus foreign medical systems. My father, who is now, 81, classically told me "At my age it's patch, patch, patch." Patching and repairing sometimes requires a good mechanic for those repairs one can't quite pull off themselves. I'd put major stitches, a minor broken bone, maybe fighting off one of the new virulent staph germs, a tooth extraction, etc. in this area. What we lack here in the USA due to a entrenched medical establishment is what places like Nicaragua have: very affordable basic "mechanics" for these mid-level tune-ups. Fir instance a doctors visit in Nicaragua runs about 25 bucks and a house call (what's THAT?) runs about $35. Procedures run a 1/4 to 1/6 of U.S. costs. A general practitioner in the U.S. pays, on average, $60K in malpractice insurance and his Nica counterpart pays zero. The average GP here makes $140K a year and his Nica counterpart $25K. We need some of that here!!! A Alaska initiative to train dental techs in such common procedures as extractions and fillings has been attacked by the American Dental Association alththough it's worked fine in Australia where outlying small villages get badly needed attention. Same here in Alaska: some poor gal with a toothache can't even get to a dentist and the ADA is busting chops to deny service. We could use, nationally, a bunch of army medic types who provide basic health care the average person just can no longer afford. How about a $25 office visit for a case of jock itch gone around the corner? Or a ingrown toenail that is risky for the common guy to carve on? I agree totally with your premise regarding debt and medical care. The U.S. system is set up inequitably and unfairly and needs a tune-up!

    1. Hi Gomez,

      I totally agree.

      Even in the USA, even with runaway malpractice, it is claimed that 10% of medical costs cover 90% of services. The remainder of services constitute 'heroic' measures near the cutting edge. Much of that involves end-of-life interventions and intensive care.

      As you say 'mid-level' services, geared to the 90% of need, would be an order of magnitude more affordable than under our present system.

      In effect, the 10% heroic measures are being subsidized by those who, insured across the spectrum, won't require or won't accept them.

      Overlaps and blurry distinctions hide and qualify this basic situation, but bottom line, if one cannot opt out of that end of the spectrum, the cost of any healthcare may be out-of-reach. That 10% ramifies throughout the entire system, reflected in cost to both the insured and uninsured.

      Heroic measures can and do generate examples of significant and valuable extension of lives. In too many, however, they merely prolong a life from which quality is long since fled.

      We, as individuals and as a society, need to weigh up the costs and benefits of raging against the dying of the light, lest that rage consume us.


  2. Warning: Political Rant

    For those trying to live a low-budget life, on the water or off, the much-reviled ObamaCare may be a boon. However, a Republican-controlled Congress threatens to eviscerate the Affordable Care Act. When you vote in November (you are planning to vote, aren't you?) consider which party you vote for, both for President, Senator, and Representative -- as well as your State and local leaders.

    Nurse Practitioners and Physician's Assistants sometimes ably fill the position of local medic.


  3. Hmm I think anonymous is named Pete Seegar. Plays a mean ban-jo too.


    1. Hi Glenn,

      I thought so to, but double checking, heard and interesting story:

      According to several internet sources all of whom cite Pete Seeger, himself, he ran across it in a newspaper. He contacted the paper, the writer turned out to be one of their reporters. He gave permission to use the song, but preferred to remain anonymous.

      I didn't check any further, but it makes a good yarn!


    2. Hi Glenn,


