Page 70 - LCNL Diwali Magazine 2022

RAGHUVANSHI 2022 - 2023 Happy DiwaliHappy Diwali
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Live Long and Prosper

Why we need to stop seeing the elderly as a burden and instead embrace the

opportunities presented by longevity

As the population ages and more and more people enter the age of retirement, questions
about how we are going to pay for pensions as well as how we take care of the elderly
increasingly dominate public discussions. Unfortunately, these discussions tend to be
negative and see the ageing of a population as a problem to be solved and mitigated.
However, there are so many reasons to see this as an opportunity to do things differently.

50 years ago, it was normal for people to get to the age of 65 and retire, having spent many

years working long hours doing physical labour. Retirement was not only a desire but
rather a necessity of life as their bodies didn’t allow them to carry on doing their job and there weren’t many other

opportunities available. However, the health of the average 65-year-old is very different now and many go on to live
20 plus years. For many an ageing population is seen as a burden that has to be eased rather than an opportunity
to be embraced.

The reality is that people are living longer healthier and fitter lives which means they continue to have much to offer
long past the age of usual retirement. There is a growing majority of elderly people who carry on working where
they can whether that be in employment or through volunteering. An Age UK report found that between 2016

and 2017 the over 65-s added some £160 billion to the economy. This shows that despite society hindering elderly

people, they are already contributing a significant to economy and society.
In politics this is reflected in the House of Lords, I am privileged to work alongside many people who may be getting

on in life but the wealth of knowledge and experience they have to offer is incredible. The average age might be 69

years of age, but we see time and time again, by having a chamber of people who passionately care about issues
we can scrutinise legislation in detail to ensure it does what it is supposed to do. In many ways, their age is to their
advantage as it usually means they have many more years of experience and have lived through various events that
they can draw from. Many are masters of their subject and this can only come from having worked on an area for

many years.

This year we are also celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the expulsion of Ugandan Asians. Many of those who
arrived in the UK 50 years ago continue to play a part in society as they have done since their arrival. Whether that
be running a local corner shop or participating in politics, Ugandan Asians demonstrate the power of integrating
into society and playing your part. In many ways, this can be an example of how we should treat the elderly. Allow
them to be a part of society and integrate them into what is happening, the results will speak for themselves.

Ageism has resulted in society seeing the elderly as a burden and sadly forgetting the contributions they have made
or they contributions they could be making. There is a strong case for us to rethink how we approach old age not
only for those that have already reached it but for us that are on our way there whether we like it or not. Therefore,
let us all work together to create a society that allows us to not only live longer, but prosper whilst doing so.

By Lord Dolar Popat, author of ‘An Ageing Population in the Lohana Community’