Abstract:

The Asia/Oceania region is experiencing unequalled population ageing combined with rapid economic and social change. While the nature of support for older people is variable and changing, families generally are resilient and adaptive, and cultural values generally remain stable. There is much to be learned from cross-national comparisons but each country must follow its own path of development and support for older people. The main challenges are to ensure adequacy of living standards for vulnerable individuals throughout the life span, and to ensure that families and governments provide complimentary support for older people adversely affected by societal change.