Last Sunday’s episode of Downton Abbey struck a chord with me.
For those who didn’t see it, the pithy dowager, the Duchess of Grantham – played brilliantly by Maggie Smith – resolved a serious threat to her son’s marriage after his daughter died in childbirth.
For the first time, the dowager’s facade slipped, and we saw the kindness that lay behind her Victorian mask.
My point is that we should never underestimate wisdom and experience, which the elderly – whether grandparents, or not – have in abundance.
I was very close to my grandmother, Lady Drax, whom I nicknamed Ding Dong, why I don’t know.
She was a huge and invaluable influence on me during my teenage years, a lady for whom I had the deepest respect.
And I am sure I am not alone.
I would wager that most of you have a good relationship or fond memories of a grandparent or elderly person.
Can I suggest that we scrap the Department for International Development, hand it back to the Foreign Office and, instead, have a Department for the Elderly – or should we call it the Department for Wisdom?
It would be responsible for, and work with, the 10 million people currently over 65, many of whom are still working and want to.
This number is due to increase as we live longer and healthier lives.
Rightly, the Government is increasing the state pension and, rightly, it’s looking at ways to stop the elderly from having to sell their homes to pay for care.
Passing on a house is often a gift to the next generation and, with homes in high demand and often unaffordable, what better way to succour your family?
If the so-called ‘grey vote’ really got its act together, it would form the largest lobby group in the country.
But they shouldn’t have to do that to ensure we carry out our duty, to care for those who’ve cared for us.