He is just trying to endure, not overcome. A. Cut-off trees rejuvenate, but not people. B. Sometimes life doesn't hold out much hope for us. A main reason many elderly die, especially after losing spouse. They simply give up hope.
People just die.
We do not rise from sleep, at least in this world. Many kings are covered in gold, silver, jade. But their bodies are jumbles of bones, with a little mummified meat perhaps. Old Testament expresses doubts about eternal life. No one remembers you when he is dead.