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As part of ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Living Longer, a week of special programming on all Local Radio, online and regional television in England beginning on Sunday 7 November 2010, ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Radio Leicester's Ben Jackson took part in a special age mimicking process to simulate the effects of ageing.

With the help of Sue Mottershead from AgeUK, Ben underwent a process designed to mimic the effects of ageing on the body to highlight the kind of difficulties everybody faces as they get older.

Using low-tech equipment that simulates various sensory impairments, such as goggles for different eye conditions, latex gloves for loss of dexterity, binding one arm to the body for lack of movement, ankle and wrist weights to slow movement down and ear plugs for loss of hearing, Ben was then given a series of everyday tasks to complete which emphasise the ageing process.

Ben says of the experience: "The shocking thing for me was just how tiring it was. Not only the physical side of having to deal with immobility and lack of strength, but the mental side of having to think of everything before I did it, particularly with my induced poor eyesight."

He adds: "I can appreciate now how being kept hanging around whilst out shopping, or being faced with lots of steps or poor lighting would be completely exhausting."

³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Living Longer, a week of special programming on all ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Local Radio, online and regional television in England begins Sunday (7 November). Through specially commissioned research and grass roots reporting in the English regions, ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Living Longer examines in depth the issues and opportunities facing an ageing population including social care; impact of caring on families; the cost to the NHS; work, retirement; and the opportunities of ageing.

There are 40 local radio stations, 12 regional television news programmes and a number of regional Politics Show programmes, as well as 44 local websites all working together on the editorial, with 40 ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Local reporters filing reports throughout the week. In addition, a Facebook page has been created, visit facebook.com/bbclivinglonger for further details.

³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Local Radio is working alongside ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Radio 4's You & Yours programme at midday on Monday (8 November) to deliver a discussion on people's understanding, expectations and plans for their basic social care.

As part of the week of coverage ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Local Radio has carried out research into the future of social care provision by local authorities in England and will reveal the number of complaints about elderly care services in the last 3 years. An indication of the best and worst places to grow old will also be provided through a specially commissioned report from Experian.

Tune into ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Radio Leicester all next week to hear in-depth analysis, debate and investigation into the issues raised by the possibility of an ageing population on the region.

³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Radio Leicester broadcasts on 104.9FM, DAB Digital Radio and online via the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ iPlayer.

BG