When you’re 64

Pat Thane, editor of a recently published volume of essays on the history of old age, tells us that now – the early decades of the twenty-first century – is the best of all possible periods to grow old. We live longer, yes, but the important thing is that we remain fitter longer and in the developed world benefit from a very high level of medical care. But what are we going to do with ourselves as we move into our seventh and eighth decades and even beyond?

This is a pointed question for many members of our expat community and will increasingly be so. Time was when many older residents returned to their home countries to live out their later years. This is now much less the case as many of us – like those involved in the creation of this magazine – have made their entire lives here and are unattracted by what would be an effective exile in our places of origin.

This topic has aroused widespread interest over recent years. The last issue of the Dutch Club’s excellent magazine contained a useful discussion of the issue and the British Association in the Var is involved in ongoing consideration of a possible project for a retirement village. The most concrete development, of course, is the plan by the Sunny Bank Anglo-American Association for a medicalised residential facility in Mouans-Sartoux. As projected, this will cater for 92 people and will include accommodation for visitors. Some time ago we gave an account of the site the association has acquired. As we write, there still seems some delay in obtaining planning permission. This is France, after all, and we’re talking about a highly competitive sector. Not everyone would welcome the new establishment.

But count on it – eventually the Mouans-Sartoux residence will take its place as a valued institution within the anglophone community. The project’s progress owes a great deal to the energy and vision of Peter Durlacher. But any help available is welcome – especially in the area of fund-raising.

Peter Durlacher (Sunny Bank): 04 93 47 94 20 / This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
 

Comments (0)

Subscribe to this comment's feed

Show/Hide comments

Show/Hide comment form