Ageing in Australia: overview and social policy

Abstract

Elderly people require a wide range of supports, especially income support, health services, housing support and social services. Public resources which are allocated are substantial, yet the range of incomes, access to services and housing situation of elderly people is probably wider than for any other population category. While demographers argue about the extent to which the population is ageing, and about dependency ratios in years to come, the key issue is really why ageing is seen as a problem in the first place. In the second place, the question of for whom is it a problem must be raised; and third, what interventions are appropriate to deal with the situation.