Good news is in rather short supply these days, so it was heartening to read of the sprightly attempts to keep active on the part of residents at an old people's home.
Pensioners at an Australian home have reportedly taken up fencing to keep fit and entertained.
One 93-year old, Delores Kirby, told London paper www.metro.co.uk that "it's a challenge. I'm always a bit afraid of falling over."
Good on them - anything must be preferable to slowly wasting away, slumped and lifeless in a corner.
But I can't help feeling that some very gentle chair yoga may be a less, er, dangerous option that hobbling around precariously, brandishing swords.
Only last month, new research confirmed what may seem obvious - that simple yoga postures and breathing exercises can improve stability and balance in people over 65.
If the medical profession was clued up on how yoga and similar activities keeps the body supple and young, surely stories such as this would be too commonplace to make the headlines?
Lucia Cockcroft, editor
