The increasing number of people reaching their 80s and 90s has triggered multidisciplinary consideration of how to address and capitalise on the longevity phenomenon.The aim of this article is to provide an overview of ways in which clinicians can work with older patients to optimise their health and wellbeing during the later years of life.Old age need not be burdensome to individuals or society. There is strong evidence to support the management of many chronic diseases presenting in - or extending into - old age. General practice will need to adapt to the demographic challenges of an ageing population by targeting conditions that impede people from contributing to family and societal life. General practitioners (GPs) will also need to adapt to the changing expectations of, and from, older patients across the upcoming generations.