The Problems of Later Life

Abstract

Different forms of loneliness that may occur in later life are generally related to problems associated specifically with ageing, and in this chapter these problems will be described and discussed. The troubles and handicaps of what may be called the Third Age are of two kinds: those that are ‘biogenic’ and those that are ‘sociogenic’.¹ By ‘biogenic’ we mean handicaps that arise simply through the process of becoming less robust and efficient in the course of ageing, and by ‘sociogenic’ we mean troubles that arise through the treatment of older people by society, and which could be lessened by more humane, sensible and unprejudiced attitudes and institutions. Social scientists reckon that the latter are far more responsible for the miseries and loneliness of later life than the former; indeed they may contribute to deterioration in physical fitness: for instance, if pensioners have to support themselves on an inadequate income they are much more likely to suffer from all sorts of physical ills arising from poor diet, inadequate housing, and a generally unhealthy life-style. Economizing on pensions may prove to be a foolish social policy if it results in greatly increasing the amount spent on the National Health Service.²