ABSTRACT
More research is needed to understand the impact of change on family support for older people and on the contributions which older people make to the welfare of their families. If this is better understood it can inform policies designed to reinforce the capability of older people and their families to support one another. This also holds true for community-based support, where a better understanding of the participation of older people in community life is indispensable to the development of effective assistance. In most parts of the developing world, 'the informal system for income security – with no governmental and little market involvement – is the mainstay' for the great majority of older people. The chapter considers four key aspects of the lives of older people: income security, health services, family support and community participation. It illustrates ways in which service providers, families and communities can be enabled to enhance the lives of older people.
