Third Agers

Edith Eva Eger, an 81 year old Hungarian-born ballerina who now lives in the US.

The 21st century has been called the Century of Ageing.

Our world is ageing rapidly. By 2050 more than 1 in 5 of us will be over 60.

For the first time in human history there will be more over 60s than children under 15.

Most of the world's older people live in developing countries. Yet definitions, expectations, and the problems of old age are changing rapidly.

So what is it like to be old in today's world?

In this four part series, Jane Little meets Third Agers from four continents to find out.

In programme four:

Jane hears from people who have dared to think the unthinkable in managing the challenges of old age.

She meets the man who thinks we can live to 1,000 years - and still run marathons at 500.

But what would it involve? Is it really medically feasible?

And what would it do to the human psyche if we make ourselves all but immortal?

Jane also hears from the woman who believes people who are still in good health - should be given the chance to instruct their doctors to kill them if they develop Alzheimer's.

It's what she herself would want - but how do relatives of Alzheimer patients feel about this idea?

Finally, some of the people who Jane met in this series share their philosophy of good ageing.

First broadcast Monday 23 March 2009