ABSTRACT
Most geriatric services have arisen to meet a need which already existed. This need might have had a medical, social or mental bias so that no blueprint exists that can be taken and superimposed to meet the needs of the elderly population living in a specific area. This is probably just as well, since it is very unlikely that any two areas will be similar, for each will inevitably have its own particular customs and characteristics. The type of service which exists or needs to be provided will depend on many factors which may be traditional, social, religious, economic or political and may be influenced by external factors such as climate. To try and superimpose some Western systems in an Eastern community would probably lead to failure.
