The idea of ageing kicks into action a host of fears and prejudices. Nikki van der Gaag suggests some positive ways of facing the future in a world where more and more people are living longer. Over to you NI readers give their views on ageing. Jeremiah Creedon reports from the front-line of middle age.
African families look after their old folk.
Allegra Taylor goes in search of older women s wisdom. Stranded in Hamburgerland Jeremy Seabrook reports from South-East Asia where elderly people struggle to be heard above the babble of consumer culture. The story of Ratna and her grandmother who wanted it all, by Gita Hariharan . Coming of age in Conchali Katrina Payne sees women in Chile refusing to take their advancing years lying down.