ABSTRACT
I n most Western countries o ld age is associated w i t h illness. T h e person who is o l d is thought to be sick. Th i s belief is widely accepted both by those who are active i n p rov id ing medica l care for the elderly and by the pub l i c at large. T h e fact is, however, that a l though widespread pathology exists among the elderly populat ion, o ld age and illness are not synonymous. There is no such disease as " o l d age." Some old people function we l l , others function poorly. Some o ld people are severely restricted i n their mobi l i ty , others are able to main ta in themselves i n the ordinary activities of da i l y l iv ing . T h e var ia t ion among the elderly i n their physical health and i n their degree of impai rment is enormous.
