Older People in Law and Society

It is widely claimed that we are facing a "demographic time bomb" with an increasing older population and a decreasing working population. On the whole there are three conflicting attitudes in society towards older people. Those who see older people as a "problem": how can we afford their care?; will the NHS be crippled by the expense of caring for older people? Those who are concerned at the maltreatment of older people: how can we protect older people from abuse?; how can be sure they are receiving adequate health care? Those who argue that society is squandering the resources that older people offer and seek ways to empower them to play a more active role in community life. These conflicting views of how to approach the "problem" of older people are also reflected in the mixed response of the law. This book presents possible solutions to these problems and highlights the need to protect older people from abuse and poverty in order to ensure that they do not have an undignified old age, but also the need to empower older people to live active and fulfilling last years.