Over the past few decades, medical technology and lifestyle changes have seen drastic improvements. Advancements in technology is not only impacting the longevity of life but it seems the so called quality of life (QoL) is also improving.

Our outlook in life about the Ageing Process has also been changing over the years, the concept of “Age is just a number” has taken the driver seat and the negative image associated with old age has moved to the passenger seat.

The larger point of debate is, is it really true that “Age is just a number” or in reality “Age is a problematic number”?

While words like Active Ageing, Positive Ageing, Ageing in Place, Independent Living sounds good in the overall fabric of Ageing, but do these words hold true for older people who start to gradually shift from the assisted living phase to the dependent stage?

Till the time our physical and mental health faculties are running well, most people feel Age is just a number, but then, the moment pain, agony, dependency, loss of motor capabilities starts to become dominant, Age starts to feel like a problematic number.

How many people who are in their 80s-90s who were happily playing golf, self driving, socializing, still feel “Age is just a number”, especially when they suddenly start losing their independent lifestyles, starts falling on the floor regularly or are unable to open a simple bottle cap?

In my view, when all is going well, Age seems to be just a number, but when pain and suffering sets in, Age seems to be a rude reminder that, Old Age is not simply a number, it is a reality of life.

Maybe a visit to a Hospice Care Home / End-of-life centre can support my thought process.

Pankaj Mehrotra