Abstract
1999 is the United Nations “Year of Older Person”. The five key areas of concern adopted in the UN “Principles for Older Adults” are independence, participation, care, self-fulfilment and dignity. This paper highlights the interrelationships between health and socio-economic problems faced by older women. The demography of ageing is reviewed with reference to changing household structure and morbidity and mortality favouring women who will increasingly become the majority of the oldest old. Many will be healthy but many will suffer disability and dementia. Prevention, diagnosis and current treatments of some of the major illnesses affecting women over 80 are noted, including cerebrovascular disease, osteoporosis, pain, cancer and the dementias. Socio-economic issues relating to the overall ageing of the population include ageism, mobility, housing and financial matters. Care throughout old age and caring for carers are important funding issues recently addressed by the Royal Commission on Long Term Care. Ethical, legal and care standards should be such that when personal autonomy is compromised then the individual should be able to retain her dignity with full human rights. Health care planning and social policy should accommodate gender based differences in longevity which will have considerable impact on living arrangements, income, health care and social supports.