ABSTRACT
Development is constantly occurring during the life-course and the family plays a role in helping seniors through life-course transitions. Like everything else the family is experiencing changes. The changes are many and varied including demographic, socioeconomic and cultural. The changes are causing the need for adaptation and innovation by families and communities in how they meet their traditional roles and functions. Policy makers considering care of older persons have to make decisions in this context of changes in traditional family roles. Health, productivity, social participation and relationships between generations are key issues. Policy has to consider what positive contribution it can make in the best interest of the family unit and all members, including seniors. Given the economic barriers to developing the social support systems seniors require, research is needed to identify existing coping strategies and examine how they can be enhanced, even replicated by the changing social order and structures.
