Amers Old Age Crisis

Abstract: Material representing the first comprehensive, current accounting of the changing needs of the elderly relative to health care is provided for policy makers, the general public, and health care professionals. New survey data are presented identifying the aged, how they live, and their financial resources. Widely accepted myths about the aging are explored. This wide-ranging study provides new understanding of the strengths and limitations of family help and a definitive analysis of the major health and income programs serving the elderly. It is pointed out that the variety of benefits is neither efficient nor fair, subsidizing the larger population of healthy and well-off at the expense of the very old, the poor, and the chronically infirm. It is concluded that current policies need revision to more consistently match benefit programs with needs. (wz).