We need to move from a culture that  has assumed that an increase in the number of older people simply means an increase number of people requiring “care” namely practical assistance whereas what is needed is a new culture of enablement in which it is expected that older people will regain lost ability, no matter their age and  their age no matter how many conditions they may have. the basic problem is the culture of ageism which is defined by the Centre for Ageing Better as discrimination against someone because of their age and  they have produced an excellent report titled Ageism Whats the Harm ?

Here are some key points
Ageism is discrimination against someone because of their age. Ageism is often dismissed as being harmless, but evidence shows that it causes significant damage to individuals, the economy and society. There are three main types of ageism:

1. Institutional ageism, when ageism is embedded in laws, rules, social norms, policies and the practices of institutions
   
2. Interpersonal ageism occurs in the interactions between individuals
   
3. Self-directed ageism is when a person internalises ageism due to repeated exposure to ageist messages and, as a result, modifies their own thinking and behaviour
   

This report shows how ageism causes deep and lasting harm to people and society, directly and indirectly, exacerbating social divisions and inequalities and damaging our economy.

We need a cultural revolution