Department of Medical Gerontology, Adelaide and Meath Hospital, Dublin 24, Republic of Ireland, Department of Health Services Research, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin 2

Although Robine et al raise serious points about future trends in ageing, dependency, and care provision in later life, it is also worth noting that older people are also creative in their stratagems for later life and are not just passive recipients of care. Of particular importance is the contribution that they themselves bring to their own care. A longitudinal study of ageing in Ireland found a marked increase in the amount that older people spend on provision of health and social care² over a four year sampling period, despite increases in access to services such as free general practitioner care. Over 8% of older people in this study were themselves the primary carer for another family member.