Question
Longer life spans and improvements in the health of older people suggest that people over the age
of sixty-five can continue to live full and active lives.
In what ways can society benefit from the contribution that older people can make?
Answer
In the modern era, life expectancies around the world are rising and societies are struggling to cope
with this monumental demographic shift. This essay will explore some of the positive impacts that
elderly people can have on society.
To begin with, old people tend to be more careful and patient than younger people, so there are
various applications for this quality. Whilst young people tend to be more impetuous, the elderly are
capable of remaining calm and demonstrating tolerance, so these people can be put in positions
where such skills are required. For example, older people make excellent leaders. Even though we
tend to look for dynamic, young leaders, the elderly are more capable of these undervalued
attributes, making them less likely to push countries into war due to making rash decisions.
In addition, we now appreciate cutting-edge knowledge but often forget that other forms of
knowledge are also important. In an ever-changing world, there are some things that remain static
and so older people, who have picked up skills throughout their lives, are still necessary. They know
how to do things that younger people do not care about, such as practical maintenance skills. The
world that they grew up in may now be gone, but those ideas are still important and the modern
world can definitely benefit from them.
In conclusion, society currently values youth more than age, but there are some qualities that the
elderly can bring to modern life that can improve the world. Organisations should be comprised of a
mixture of old and young people to reap the benefits of both types of person.
