In her latest column in the Press & Journal newspaper, the Rt Rev Anne Dyer, Bishop of Aberdeen & Orkney, says that older generations can make a major contribution to society in a post-pandemic future.

Bishop Anne believes that people are too quick to reach for the old saying that ‘you can’t teach an old dog new tricks’ and instead she points to the way that older people have adapted to and embraced digital technology over the past year, as evidence of their ability and potential.

“We cannot assume that older people will be either conservative or resistant to change,” writes Bishop Anne. “In fact, we should expect the opposite.

“There are many benefits in ageing, but one of the most important is the possibility of learning what really matters in life. As we age, we better understand the importance of relationships, and how the need for care and personal support changes through life.

“During the pandemic, there have been many folk of my age who have been concerned about the care of very elderly parents, and at the same time been involved in supporting those in younger generations who have been struggling to continue to work or be schooled.

“These experiences highlight the need for careful decision making. If we have only so much of any resource, not just money but also time, then how should we use what we have? There is important understanding that comes with age, if decisions have to be made about who or what must come first.”

Bishop Anne’s article can be read in full here.