I ndividuals are living longer. Populations are ageing rapidly. These phenomena trigger the need for new thinking, organization, roles, and relationships in families, neighbourhoods and nations.
Old age is a new frontier.
In the second half of the twentieth century, twenty years have been added to the average life-expectancy worldwide. As agents and beneficiaries of progress, older women and men require opportunities and support systems including for income-generation, social security, and health care. Quoting statistics about ageing will take us just so far. The problem is not counting, but consciousness. Perceptions of late-life influence early choices.