Nanny state and ageism gone mad!!!
Let's report this a bit differently, shall we.....
Mr and Mrs X, two country and seclusion lovers who are now at retirement age, but still fit and independent, decide to go for a walk. They realise they might get cut off by the tide, but what the hell, they can wait, they don't have jobs to go to any more, and it's lovely and peaceful out there. In fact, it's really rather romantic.
So they get cut off, and they're happily sitting there, communing with nature. But this damn noisy helicopter comes along. And then the lifeboat too!!!! And saying no isn't enough; people try to persuade them to leave, and act like they have no right to just want to be there.
And they still aren't left alone even when they get back to the beach. Can't anyone take hints? What are a pair of loners to do? So OK, they gave in and accepted a lift; why not? It seems to keep people happy.
I'll tell you all now, and please listen. If, in my advancing years, you see me above the high water line, but not waving my arms and screaming, and I haven't called you on my mobile, please assume I want to be there and leave me alone.