Abstract:

This chapter outlines the scope and approach of the book then turns to three aspects of the the social background in which age specific policies have developed and evolved. The first of these concerns the changing living conditions of older people, the origin of these changes in life course experience and the shifting balance of 'vulnerabilities' and resources among older and younger people. The second consideration is the range of programs and and expenditure commitments left by successive post-war governments and resistance of these legacies to change. The third is the political context in which age-specific policies are developed. The chapter ten turns to the implications for social equity of alternative policy responces to social change and population ageing. It concludes by reviewing the content of later chapters.This book aims to add to the information available for developing Australian policy responses to population ageing up until the turn of the century. Emphasis is placed on understanding issues and processes of policy development during the 1980s and their implications for older people. It discusses the old age pension, superannuation, community services and institutional care. and also examines the place of older people in general housing and health policies.