The secret to a happy old age?

The Ready for Ageing Alliance, an organisation made up of charities such as Age UK and the Alzheimer's Society, has published an eleven-point plan designed to guide us towards a longer, happier life.

Some of the advice is obvious, encouraging us to stop smoking, keep active, and eat healthily. But there are also some less obvious recommendations.

One piece of advice suggests we "take every opportunity to talk to younger people. Try to get yourself online. Listen to One Direction (at least once)."

If raiding your grandchildrens' record collection doesn't appeal, the Alliance states that keeping mentally active by completing crosswords or sudoku is equally beneficial.

Practical advice regarding getting prepared for retirement also features prominently. Anxiety regarding your financial situation has a detrimental effect on both health and happiness, so the organisation encourages everybody to save for retirement "the earlier the better" and pay off any debts as soon as possible.

Spokesman for the Alliance, David Sinclair, points out that while it is the responsibility of the government to ensure we are all treated fairly in old age, and to tackle discrimination against the elderly, as individuals "We should all take responsibility for ageing well."

Figures from the Office for National Statistics state that over the next two decades the number of elderly people in Britain is set to soar, making these issues more important than ever.

If you are an older person who needs help planning for the future, contact our specialist lawyers today. You can email enq@rosslegal.co.uk or speak to us on 0161 720 7200.

Ross Legal

Solicitors for older people

Salford, Manchester