With age comes wisdom. Whilst sometimes an overused phrase, there is no doubt that years of accumulated knowledge and experience give older people a deeper and often broader outlook on life. Reactions and recall do slow with age but this means that older people are less impulsive and emotional. This makes their responses more considered and often therefore more wise.

Age often also brings with it greater confidence, compassion and tolerance. Thus older people are vital role-models for younger generations as grandparents, mentors or friends. History is cyclical rather than linear, so former generations’ skills, achievements and knowledge may be needed in the future, even if they seem outmoded for a time.

Whilst physical limitations develop with age, widespread evidence shows that older people retain the ability to learn new skills. With more free time, many older people live rich and vital lives developing new interests and talents.

As the older population increases, so does its power to lobby against the ageism inherent in our society. If we all hope to live long enough to become old, we must support them. ‘Grey matters!’