Care for the elderly--a Fire and Rescue Service problem? As our elderly population continues to grow, a leading fire safety expert addresses the potential difficulties of caring for this group and the effect it will have on the Fire and Rescue Service and fire prevention activity.(Elderly Care)

THE PROBLEM WITH GROWING OLD is that it seems to creep up on you so that you only realise it is happening when things which you never gave much thought to now take more time and effort and a good walk induces aches and pains in places that you never knew you had. Unfortunately, the ageing process is one that catches up with us all irrespective of individual circumstances. You may be able to offset and reduce the rigours of the ageing process, but it is a certain fact that you cannot halt it.

I'm from the generation known as the "baby boomers"--people born in the years immediately following the end of the Second World War. Due to advances in medical science and care, allied to improved living conditions and greater social and personal awareness, my generation can generally look forward to a longer lifespan than previous generations. It is also an issue which is concentrating minds in governments, where terms like the "grey vote" and "pensioner power" are often to be heard in the corridors of power as the collective voice of the increasing numbers joining those groups becomes increasingly robust.

Caring for the elderly

One of the potential issues that this longevity brings for the governments and assemblies of the countries making up the UK is the long-term question of caring for a growing elderly population. …
