There must be more

Abstract

Old age: a mountain to climb or a slippery slope? When does it begin? How does it begin? These are questions that many of us may ask. Some people welcome the mantle of old age whereas many, whose numbers are growing, choose to ignore the passage of time. Throughout life we make definite decisions about activities and interests: giving up one when another becomes more attractive and more fulfilling; or finding that a change of circumstances may influence the course we take. This builds into the history that we take into the later years of life. Eventually the physical aspect of the ageing process introduces an element of uncertainty. Some decisions, like giving up an activity or reducing the tenacity with which it is pursued, are forced upon us. We become slower, are unable to apply ourselves efficiently or merely require longer periods for recovery. It is becoming apparent, however, that many older people will not freely admit that the passage of time is to blame. We are encouraged by predictions that life expectancy is now projected well beyond the three score years and ten of yesterday, and this we view as an Indian summer, rather than the autumn of our lives.