ABSTRACT
Many are among the poorest and worst-housed in our society. Perhaps more of the very old feel unwanted and useless than of any other group of people. And the fact that some of very old manage these tensions with dignity and remain loved, valued and creative does not diminish the difficulties. It needs to be remembered also that projected numbers, absolutely and proportionately, of the very old continue to increase until the end of this century. Similarly the powerlessness of old in residential units is matched by the powerlessness of the old in society at large. Both within and outside homes the old must be encouraged to assert their rights and to make demands. While the long-term task is to demonstrate the changes to those outside homes (that facilities are vastly improved, that life within is much less restrictive), short-term task is to make sure that this is understood by four groups of people: staff, residents, visiting professionals and neighbours.
