ABSTRACT

For a growing number of people - the elderly themselves, their families, friends and neighbours-mass longevity has brought with it a multitude of new problems and made existing ones more acute. Personal apprehensions about such issues as post-retirement employment, the adequacy of savings and pensions, or the availability of health care, are compounded by worries about more mundane but no less real difficulties. For, to paraphrase Wicks (1982:97), old age is about increasing problems of loneliness and isolation; illness and incontinence; support at times of stress and distress; doubts about self-determination and self-worth; help with climbing stairs and bathing; aid in preparing meals and housework; and access to welfare officials and services. Of all the neighbourhood-level organizations operating in the city of Otsu, the group that undertakes the bulk of care for older people with these varied difficulties are the voluntary welfare workers (the minseiiin).1