ABSTRACT
The most important thing in the context of wellbeing in old age is that old people, despite their age, should remain as active as possible, physically, mentally and in their social life. The harmful effect of this idea of rest has been made worse in the industrial countries by the fairly recent institution of retirement. When a group reaches retirement age, a ceremony, with presentations and speeches, is held in the work place. When the individual is of working age, it is stimulating; the strong triumph and rush of the weak who become a charge on the State. The improvements that have been made in old age pensions do not merely save retired persons from poverty, but also improve their social standing, which is very good for morale and, consequently, for health. All that matters in old age is to stop giving the orders.
