Hope for the future

There have been many negative issues trailed in the media in recent weeks about getting older. The fact that we're not saving enough for our old age, that we will have to work until 66 to get the state pension from 2020, and Saga's research into the overs 50s which shows that all the the measures of quality of life have declined in January compared to the previous year. In this survey, the 50-59 year olds are reported to be having the worst time, with happiness, health and living standards all falling (and no doubt concerns about having enough to live on in their old age preying on their minds in the run-up to retirement).

The age group with the smallest decline in well-being was reported to be the 65-69 year olds who were not as worried about their health as older age groups, or about their standard of living as younger. (This might suggest that they are the people for marketers to target).

It was therefore quite refreshing to hear some positive news this morning that there is a potential medical breakthrough in the battle against Alzheimers which could have significant impact on sufferers, possibly in the next 10 years. This is a reminder that the reasons why we are living longer, and having to face complex social and economic issues, are largely due to massive improvements in public health and medical achievements over the last few decades and that these deserve a bit more emphasis and attention.