| Abstract: | Summary The opportunity of growing old has extended but it is an opportunityattended by risks. When old age is accompanied by infirmity,ill-health and economic or social difficulties, many problemsarise for the individual and for society. This paper looks atsome aspects of the incidence and nature of old age and at thesupport provided by social services, and the discussion is illustratedby reference to seven elderly hospital patients. The identityof the person found to be most at risk was predictable. |
