Making older men and women healthier

1.People are usually happier in their own homes, as Sydney's Dr Michael Lowy suggests. We should try and keep them there. I was lucky enough to get a community nurse to look after problems that resulted from an injured leg and wonky knee. She located tradesmen who helped build rails for my steep stairways and made shower supports. These advisers help keep people like me in our homes. We need more funding for services like this.

2. Nursing homes must take account of people's needs. Not just giving them food and medical treatment. People need music, fun, meaning and belonging, as noted above. They also need time to express their sexuality in whatever way they choose. Governments need to keep a far better overview of people's total wellbeing in nursing homes.

3.We need to think of how to keep our whole population active and healthy. Schools need to promote fitness and sport. We need to encourage parents to keep the whole family active.

4. Women live longer than men, on average. That's why homes for the aged are largely filled with women. We need to make men's health much more of a priority and help men explore healthier ways of living. Men's health week is next week, June 9-15.

5. And yes, we need to find ways of describing aging that make it sound a bit better. One definition of an old person is "someone much older than me". We're all getting older all the time. With some sensible policies, we won't have a lot of moaning sick people. We'll have fit and healthy ones who are happy to play their part in society.