Helping to solve these problems may, ultimately, help the elderly to remain living independently for longer.

Agents also have the role of helping to shape services by feeding back to the appropriate body information about gaps in current services e.g. transportation.

They can also motivate and

support a community to

respond to a local need by

working together to address

issues e.g. by helping them

to set up a coffee morning

for a group of lonely people

or start a volunteer car

scheme.