Resources And Needs Of The Elderly In The Period 1997-2012

This report updates our knowledge about the resources and needs of the elderly, and how these have developed in the period 1997-2012. Focus is on the elderly's health, use of home care, social networks and leisure time activities, which are illustrated on the basis of the four interview rounds in the Ældredatabasen (database of the elderly) conducted in 1997, 2002, 2007 and 2012. The report elucidates the resources and needs of the elderly on the basis of three different perspectives: Differences between men and women, differences between the elderly in 1997 and 2012 as well as differences between 67-year-olds and 87-year-olds and 92-year-olds in 2012. The report shows that the elderly are generally doing better. In 2012, a larger proportion of the elderly were in good health, lived without disabilities and were more physically active than in 1997, and their need for and use of home care have decreased over the period. Furthermore, over time a larger proportion of the elderly are helping their social relations with different tasks and are carrying out voluntary work in associations and organisations. Moreover, the report identifies a number of differences between men and women as well as differences between age groups.