Abstract:

Both health promotion programmes and gerontology research are beginning to recognise the potential for improving the health of older people (Kane et al 1990). This paper presents findings from two studies that aim to provide a knowledge base for public action promoting health and well being of older persons. One study, Healthy and Independent Lives in Old Age (Kendig and Walker-Birckhead forthcoming) is a qualitative investigation. The other study, the Health Status of Older People (Kendig et al 1996) is a longitudinal study of 1000 older people in Melbourne. The research parallels studies from overseas work on ageing, health and behaviour sponsored by the US National Institute on Aging (Ory 1991, Abeles et al 1994). This paper includes a critical review of the international literature in this area. The article concludes that many influences on health are changeable and hence improvable. Outcomes in old age are heavily influenced by whether or not one has a partner, has cared for or lost a partner or has children or not. These findings indicate that health promotion policies need to take careful account of the different needs of people along the life span.