Ageing populations and social care: policy issues

Abstract

Official policy statements and parliamentary recommendations are re-emphasizing the importance of community care for elderly people. This paper examines questions of responsibility in the light both of demographic changes and the associated increases in dependency amongst the elderly in Australia. Definitional questions are raised in relation to the concept of community. The distinction between care in and by the community is probed in relation to evidence concerning the role of women in the provision of care. The responsibilities for provision which exist at the statutory, commercial, voluntary and informal levels are outlined. Actual allocation of fiscal resources to home support services is detailed and policy considerations which arise from this analysis are proposed.