Envejecer en desgracia

Decidí publicar la presente encuesta de "The Guardian" después de escuchar con enorme atención las declaraciones del presidente de Cruz Roja en Cataluña. Los desempleados mayores de 45 dentro del Estado español (con un panorama de 5 millones de parados), tienen muchas probabilidades de arribar a la vejez al borde de la miseria, si es que no poseen otros recursos. Al no haber cotizado por encontrarse fuera del sistema de cobertura actual, no tendrán derecho a participar de los beneficios del sistema público de pensiones. Meros escombros sociales. Es lo que hay.

"Who is a role model for older people? In pictures"

A Guardian survey asked members of the public about how the UK can meet the needs of the growing number of older people. More than 1,000 people shared their views on how communities can harness the skills, knowledge and expertise of older people, as well as who is a good role model for older people. Here is a selection of their responses

          

 

   

"Those who continue to engage in and contribute to society and are valued and welcomed for doing so. Joan Bakewell, Bruce Forsyth (yes really), Judi Dench, Billy Connolly, Glenda Jackson etc." Photograph: Murdo Macleod for the Guardian

"David Attenborough. His observations on life spread a much needed sense of wonderment and he has been going strong, doing what he loves, well into his eighties, sustainably." Photograph: David Parry/PA

"Helen Mirren or Judi Dench show how older women can still be active physically and mentally and be interesting and glamorous and have opinions and be generally active in society and of value." Photograph: David Fisher/Rex Features

"Esther Rantzen seems to have the ear of older people without sounding patronising. She offers solutions rather than complaints." Photograph: Karen Robinson for the Guardian

"Nelson Mandela showed that you are never to old to add to the wealth of nations." Photograph: Jon Hrusa/EPA

"Sir Ian McKellen, Helen Mirren, Judi Dench, Michio Kaku and Diana Athill. Intelligent, talented people who are still engaged and not defined by their age." Photograph: Eamonn McCabe for the Guardian

"Tony Benn. Intelligent, reflective. Always cared for and had an avid interests in the wellbeing of the masses, rather than individual concerns." Photograph: David Levene for the Guardian

"Joanna Lumley because she cares for the welfare of others, doesn't mind being outspoken and generally promotes positive ageing." Photograph: Richard Saker for the Guardian

"George Takei because of his perspective, usefulness in campaigning and visibility around being older and gay; and the pride and resilience this has created on a global level." Photograph: Zuma Press/Rex Features

"Sally Greengross, who has devoted her life to advocating for older people, but who wants to see them as people, rather than categorise them as old." Photograph: Julian Makey/Rex Features

"Sir Alex Ferguson - with a public profile successfully holding a high pressure job in his 70s." Photograph: Offside/Rex Features

"My grandma. Just stopped working in her 80's. Not working for income generation - but doing things which kept her interested - she's an occupational psychologist. She goes to the gym every day. She looks after my grandpa. And she's only just stopped working as a consultant for a variety of not for profits and local authorities." Photograph: Alamy (posed by models)