Making older men and women healthier

Thus inactive kids grow into inactive adults whose basic health is bad because of an unhealthy lifestyle.

And the prevalence of fast food is unquestionable. In my youth there were no phrases based on the everyday use of 'grabbing a pizza' 'hanging out at Maccas' and so on. The phrases reflect bad habits. Put these two trends- poor eating habits and lack of exercise – together, and we have problems.

But having much of our population over sixty won't be a massive problem if these people have eaten well and been physically active most of their lives.

Much has been written about the Federal Government's proposal to make people pay for visits to the doctor. It's not clear if this would apply to all medical costs. A large percentage of people over 60 are on anti-coagulants. We have to see our GP, who sends us to a nurse who takes our blood and has it diagnosed by pathology. Would we pay the extra charge once, twice or three times? Of course, women's health is discussed more often, as society only seems interested in men's health if it affects productivity. Or is it because women seem to edit most of the health sections in the TV news and papers?

Medical aspects of aging are discussed fairly often. What are our other needs as we age? Let's think of people who are mainly not working, although many of us continue to find part-time, casual or volunteer work in our sixties and seventies.

First, sexual intimacy remains a need. Dr Michael Lowy of Sydney Men's Health talks of the need for some private time for people in care. He also warns that couples with a large age difference hit a problem as they age. One still seeks an active sex life: the other doesn't have much need for it.

Younger men enjoy the chase and have enormous energy for it. Most of us in our sixties need sex less often, and are past the age of doing it vivace and prestissimo. More often, we want to do it allegro ma non troppo, . There's a fair bit of rallentando, if notdiminuendo.

Second, we need belonging. Like millions of others, I love time with my grandkids. It's special time with kids who love being around me. I feel valued. I feel I'm hugely entertaining and special. I'm also in a choir and once again, it's a little family of people who work together for a common goal and have fun doing it. Other people would get this feeling from sporting or social clubs. We all need validation and belonging.

Third, we need meaning in our lives. For many men, our lives have meaning mainly through work (as well as being fathers, partners and so on).

After we retire, we must find meaning in different ways: perhaps writing our memoirs, researching our families, tending to a garden. I don't know if women have similar issues once they leave work. Perhaps they do.

Finally, we all need fun. Yet, as we said, much of society is focused on the needs of young people who part with their money more willingly than we do. It's some time since I visited a nightclub and stayed there till after four. I don't buy half a dozen cocktails when I go out. And I don't joyfully go for long drives. We have to find fun in different ways.

What policies should governments adopt in regard to aging?