In the 1980s the need for long-term care for elderly people in Western societies was quite obvious from the increasing numbers of old and very old people in the population. Countries had responded in a number of different ways to cope with this need.

Originally published in 1985, the central theme of this book is to explore these different ways and to probe beneath the surface level of institutions and specific programs. Beneath this level are a number of layers of care, consisting of attitudes, beliefs and values on a social as well as personal level. Thus, chapters two to six explore the surface level of services, goods, treatments, institutions, etc. provided in different countries for long-term care. Chapter seven looks at another layer, the role of government, chapter eight at ethical issues of human rights and chapter nine at the base layer, the views of elderly people themselves. The book draws mainly on information from the UK, USA, Germany and Scandinavia and will be of interest to all concerned with the health and social welfare of the elderly.