Public policy and older people--where are we going?

During much of the 1960s and 1970s, housing and welfare provision for older people were part of the cinderella services (Means and Smith, 1985) that the majority of both practitioners and social scientists were happy to leave to the remit of a relatively small group of dedicated specialists. However, the 1980s have seen an important shift to that, as Johnson (1985), remarked, 'old age is now in fashion'. The six books under review represent one manifestation of this important trend. All the books agree that a major reason why an interest in older people is no longer a form of 'professional suicide' (Phillipson, 1982, p.107) is the cost implications of demographic trends. A government concerned to reduce public expenditure is faced with a significant growth in the old who are extensive users of expensive health and social services. This review article will begin by explaining briefly the main focus and arguments of each book. This will underline the diversity of issues addressed and perspectives taken. However, certain underlying themes are raised in all these books which will be discussed in the second half of the review. Are elderly people a homogeneous group? How do issues of class and gender impinge upon older people? What would represent the most appropriate spread of housing, health and social services provision for older people? What changes are feasible in the present fiscal and political climate? What directions should be argued for with regard to longer term policies?