SOUTH WEST MIDLAND REGION STUDY DAY 24 April 2004

The theme was taken from Jenny Joseph's poem and from the talk by Professor Kirkwood at the 2003 Conference Dinner on the positive aspects of getting older. Regional Chairman Monica Hall introduced the programme with the new definition of ageing. The 60's are the new 40's, when you are 50 to 60 you are in late middle age, in your 70's it is 'young old' and old age now begins at 80. The media has not yet caught up, and you still read of people in their 50's described as elderly in any incident reported.

Dr Alex Withnall from the University of Warwick spoke on health issues, both physical and mental. She pointed out the benefit the large changes and advances in medical science and society had brought to our generation and which led to people living longer. It is not uncommon now to have five generations of a family all alive. There are more career opportunities available, although older women are still somewhat invisible to the media.

Kathleen Hanson, Company Secretary of NCW encouraged making the most of financial resources, budgeting and spending wisely. The Welfare society has made people think they could rely on the state to provide for them when they retired. We must make plans to equip ourselves by acquiring the right knowledge and information to allow ourselves to enjoy our later years.

Lucy Champion from the Open University, Colin Prottey of U3A and Pamela Bowen from Age Concern gave short talks on their organisations and how they could each give opportunities for older people to improve their quality of life.