Old age doesn't have to be miserable. Hard work and lots of grandchildren seem to be the essential ingredients for a happy decline everywhere from the forests of New Guinea to the gardens of Surrey. There is no need to be lonely or destitute provided that the family is around to help.
This week's programme compares the way that people go about coping with old age in five different places: in Colne, Lancashire; Esher, Surrey; Buk in the Highlands of New Guinea; Andheri in the hills of north India; 'Khegudi in northern Botswana.
Written and produced by John Percival