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The Invisible Age

The Invisible Age: Episode 1: The Age Bomb

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Episode 1

Episode 1: The Age Bomb

The Age Bomb

BBC Radio 4 - The Invisible Age, The Age Bomb

Matthew Sweet asks how human longevity shifted from an indicator of progress to anxiety.

The ageing population - a ticking time bomb and always a crisis. Matthew Sweet meets the fastest growing sector of society and asks why we are so anxious about old age.

Old age is an increasingly long stage of life. There are nearly 1.5 million people in the UK aged 85 and over. By 2050 there will be 5 million in the UK alone.

Matthew Sweet tries to understand why society is still so reluctant to talk about ageing when - for many - the experience is a good one. He asks whether historical anxieties about population growth still overshadow contemporary discussions about the so called 'fourth-age' and if ageism will soon be regarded in the same way as discrimination on the basis of race or colour.

Matthew's many friendships with people in their 80s and 90s have hugely enriched his social life and, in this programme, he considers why such cross-generational relationships are so rare. He also asks what those over the age of 85 think about his generation's denial of the ageing process.

We explore the new territory that the 'oldest-old' inhabit - to ask about the perspective that age brings, to reflect on experiences and memories of a long life, and to discover what the 'oldest-old' would like to report back to those who are following behind.


Produced by Catherine Carr
A Loftus production for BBC Radio 4.

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Matthew Sweet explores why society is still so reluctant to talk about ageing.

Matthew Sweet presents a series that explores why society is still so reluctant to talk about ageing.

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The Invisible Age

Episode 1: The Age Bomb

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