ABSTRACT
This chapter aims to describe selected characteristics and living conditions of current elders, impending changes in these conditions and characteristics, and to discuss some of the implications of the trends. It is important for society as a whole and the older population in particular to illuminate some of the social implications of slowing population growth. An additional set of data concerning the objective circumstances affecting the quality of life of the elderly population must be mentioned, trends in their poverty status. One major trend that may pose significant problems in the future, however, is the mentioned rapid growth in the number of well educated and obviously experienced older adults who are no longer economically active. A general indicator of improvements in health among the elderly is life expectancy--i.e., average years of life remaining to persons who have already survived to, say, age 65 or age 75.
