Publisher's Synopsis
Those aged 85 and over are currently the fastest growing age group in the US population. This is so new a phenomenon that there is little in historical experience to help in interpreting it. Not only are the old living longer, but they are also growing older in markedly different ways from their predecessors. Since the burden of morbidity and the corresponding use of health services are exceedingly high for this age group, the potential demographic transition will have profund effects on health and social security systems.;This study represents an analysis of the qualitative, as well as the quantitative, changes in our ageing society. Contributions from the diverse fields of population studies, biomedical sciences, health services research and public policy are combined to illluminate our understanding of ageing as a complex and dynamic process.
