For conventional reasons those aged 65 or more are regarded as constituting our population of elderly persons. 9.7% of Australia's population is aged 65 or more. Most are not in the labour force and thus rely for their security on past investments; government pensions and benefits and services; and their families. Some are fortunate in having a combination of all three, others survive on one or two of these. The population is ageing slowly and the implications of this for social security and health and social service provision have caused alarm in some government circles.
