Shropshire Star comment: Future is knocking on the door

But people do, and have done, and will continue to do so in ever increasing numbers, thanks to medical advances, healthier lifestyles, and generally improved standards of living.

Already the effects of this are stretching services and when those who are now young grow old it is not hard to imagine that the system which is supposed to cope will be in a state of collapse.

What are the problems? Well, where do you start. One of them is financial. Old people qualify for the state pension, and the state pension has to be funded. The more old people there are, the more expensive it is for the state - hence the rises in the state pension age.

Some old people live independently and can look after themselves until a grand age. However, others have troubles with health and mobility and need to be treated by the NHS, or cared for, or both. That is another strain on the NHS and the care sector.

Rural

These are general issues, but Shropshire has some specific factors which complicate things. There are areas of the county with a higher proportion of elderly people than is the norm - those places which are seen as desirable towns or villages to retire to.

Being a rural county, it doesn't matter how old you are, it is not easy to get about without a car, which leaves people isolated and trapped by their circumstances. Councils are looking to save money, so those places which are on the doorstep to the communities they serve, such as libraries and community centres, are at risk.

The only easy part with all this complex jumble of problems is describing them. Finding solutions is one of the challenges of the modern age, and yet there is not an obvious willingness to grasp the nettle.

If any group has its ear to the ground, it has to be Age UK Shropshire Telford & Wrekin. It is one of the charities which do wonderful work in this sector.

That wonderful work is shielding society from the extent and depth of the crisis. It is like glue holding together a house of cards to which more cards are being constantly added.

While heartily thanking them for what they are doing, the need to lay down the foundations for a sustainable system is pressing.

In the past difficult decisions have been put off to the future. That future is now knocking on the door.