America, for so long regarded as the land of the young, is rapidly ageing. Teenagers are now outnumbered by the over-65s. Within 40 years it is estimated that 60 per cent of the population will be over 70 and the country's the first in the world to push up the retirement age to 67 for men and women.
Marjorie Lofthouse examines our reaction to what is seen as one of the more difficult social and economic problems of the 21st century. She talks to social workers and politicians and looks at the psychology of the body's ageing process.
Producer JOCK GALLAGHER
BBC Birmingham