If we concentrate on heart disease we will extend the misery period. If we can prevent arthritis, we will compress the misery. People who take more exercise have fewer symptoms. Then we can have a positive view of ageing as a time which offers time, freedom, wisdom and calm, with benefits to the community through the activities of older people in caring for others. Session discussion Productive activity increases vitality.
Reactive depression is more common among older people.
Pain and depression particularly affect older age groups. Stroke is one of the most common causes of disability and yet doctors don t treat hypertension in older people. That is extremely undesirable. One of the problems in treating hypertension in older people is the lag between research results and changes in the prescribing behaviour of doctors. We need a change of view.