Ethelbert is a very active 94-year-old. He retired aged 64 to look after his first wife who had had a stroke. After her death, he remarried, but for the last 20 years he has been widowed and living by himself. He enjoys listening to music, cooking and baking and spending time with his family and friends. His daughters live nearby and support him doing his grocery shopping and coming along to doctors appointments. Ethelbert says he eats a tasty rather than a healthy diet but believes that what makes you happy is also good for you.

In 1993, Ethelbert had an operation for prostate cancer from which he recovered well. However, a few months ago he noticed that he had to go to the toilet much more often. Hospital tests showed that his prostate was enlarged. His GP suggested that instead of having another operation, this could be treated with medication, so Ethelbert is currently on a six-month course of tablets to help shrink his prostate. His GP explained that the prostate and kidneys work together. He told him that his kidneys are currently alright but are being checked regularly. Ethelbert gets invited for annual check-ups at his GP surgery to have his blood, blood pressure and urine tested. He is content to have these yearly MOTs but does not feel particularly worried about his health, which he thinks is pretty good for his age. Last year he had to have a blood test repeated, but thinks this was probably because the original test results got lost. He has not been given much information about the tests he is having but then he has not asked for it. He feels confident to ask questions of health professionals if he needs to. Ethelbert thinks doctors need to know their patients well enough and be wise enough to decide how much information each individual patient wants and can cope with.

In 1995, Ethelbert had a pace-maker fitted, which was replaced in another operation a year ago. Apart from his current medication to shrink the prostate, he takes an ACE inhibitor (ramipril) to control his blood pressure. The only medication side effect he sometimes experiences are occasional spells of dizziness, especially when bending forward. His doctor advised him to lie or sit down and rest until the dizziness passes, and this has worked well for him.

Two years ago, in 2012, Ethelbert had a tumour removed from his larynx. After the operation he lost his voice. He was given a course of steroid injections, but they did not make much difference in his view. He can now hold a conversation face to face, but finds it difficult to communicate on the telephone. He also finds he gets tired after extended stretches of talk. After speaking to a friend who uses an artificial mouthpiece, Ethelbert asked his GP and specialist whether he could have something similar but was told he does not need it. Getting his voice back is his main current health concern.