A social media post highlighting the financial toll of a medical emergency in old age has drawn attention online. The man wondered how one could plan for something like this, especially in the old age when savings can be scant. A user recalled how their elederly neighbour in his 80s underwent heart surgery that cost around Rs 40 lakh.
I thought I had things sorted but l got a new wake up call today to try and live more in the present too. The man detailed that his neighbour was given two options. Either opt for a traditional open-heart surgery carrying significant risk, or a more advanced, minimally invasive procedure that was somewhat safer but considerably more expensive. “I was a bit scared hearing the cost of such a surgery. “When faced with the crushing reality that you simply can’t afford a treatment, we can only hope to accept it. Most Indians are incredibly unhealthy. And don’t even walk 5k steps. Idk what was the condition of the above mentioned elder but most heart conditions are lifestyle disorders.”
Like many people, I also have retirement plans, and I simply haven’t factored in something that would cost 2x my annual planned expenses in one go,” the man said. A fourth said: “By staying healthy.
