Anthea Tinker - Older People in Modern Society

LONGMAN SOCIAL POLICY IN MODERN BRITAIN

Series Editor:
Jo Campling

Published Titles:
The Personal Social Services
Robert Adams

Health Policy and the NHS
Judith Allsop

Housing Problems and Policies
Brian Lund

Crime and Criminal Justice Policy
Tim Newburn

Foundations of the Welfare State
Pat Thane

Forthcoming Titles:
Equal Opportunities and Social Policy
Barbara Bagilhole

Responding to Poverty
Saul Becker

New Directions in Educational Policy
Paul Lodge

Lone Mothers
Jane Millar

LONGMAN SOCIAL POLICY IN BRITAIN SERIES

Older People in Modern Society

Anthea Tinker

4th Edition

First published 1981 by Addison Wesley Longman Limited
Second edition 1984
Third edition 1992
Fourth edition 1997

Published 2014 by Routledge
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Copyright 1981, 1984, 1992, 1996, Taylor & Francis.

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ISBN 13: 978-0-582-29488-2 (pbk)

British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data

A catalogue record for this book is
available from the British Library

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Tinker, Anthea
Older people in modern society /Anthea Tinker. 4th ed.
p.cm. (Longman social policy in Britain series)
Rev. ed. of: Elderly people in modern society. 3rd ed. 1992.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 0582294886 (pbk.)
1. Old age assistanceGreat Britain.2. AgedServices for
Great Britain.I. Tinker, Anthea. Elderly people in modern
society.II. Title.III. Series
HV1481.G72T551997

Set in 10/11 pt Times by 33

To the beloved memory of my father and my grandparents

This series, written by practising teachers in universities, is produced for students who are required to study social policy and administration, either as social science undergraduates or on the various professional courses. The books provide studies focusing on essential topics in social policy and include new areas of discussion and research, to give students the opportunity to explore ideas and act as a basis of seminar work and further study. Each book combines an analysis of the selected theme, a critical narrative of the main developments and an assessment putting the topic into perspective as defined in the title. The supporting documents and comprehensive bibliography are an important aspect of the series, and the reader is clearly referred to the corresponding items in the section of documents which follows the main text.

In Older People in Modern Society, Anthea Tinker has brought together for the first time the literature and research evidence from many sources about this important group of people. Viewing the topic in the widest perspective, it provides basic information on the development of the services together with a more theoretical approach, redefining concepts like community care in relation to older people and their needs, and identifying likely issues for the future. It will be invaluable for students and indeed professionals in a variety of disciplines.

In 1980 I wrote the first edition of this book and updated it in 1983 and 1992. In this new edition I again update the material and include the important new developments in policy, research and practice. But, as before, I have deliberately left in references to early studies because it is salutary to realise that many findings, for example about community care, are depressingly similar to those of the 1950s. It is not without significance that I have changed the title of the book from Elderly People in Modern Society to Older People in Modern Society. This is because of growing recognition that the term elderly people gives the impression of a clearly defined group.

It is hoped that this book will not only be of general interest but will also be helpful to students and others who wish to follow up particular topics in essays, dissertations and theses. The references in this edition have been substantially increased because there has been an explosion of writing on gerontology.

As in previous editions I owe a great deal to others. My main debt is to my husband, without whose unfailing support none of these editions would have been written. On a personal level the death of my father and the birth of my grandchildren have enhanced my understanding of ageing. Many of the ideas have been discussed with former colleagues at City University and the Department of the Environment as well as with students on the many courses in which I have been involved. I am particularly grateful to colleagues at Kings College London and to members of staff of Age Concern England and to others who have supplied information or commented on drafts. These include Janet Askham, Andy Brittan, Justin Davis Smith, Emily Grundy, Ruth Hancock, Claire Jarvis, Evelyn McEwen, Claudine McCreadie, Barbara Meredith, Jane Minter, Cathy Pharoah, Sally Redfern, Louise Russell, Sally West, Raphael Wittenberg and Fay Wright. Laura Locks assistance in producing the manuscript is much appreciated. I alone, of course, am responsible for any errors and for the views expressed.

Anthea Tinker
August 1996

We are grateful to the following for permission to reproduce copyright material:

Ace Books for a figure from Black and Asian Older People in Britain by J. Barker (Age Concern England, 1984); Blackwell Publishers for an extract from Family Obligations and Social Change by J. Finch (Polity Press, 1989); the Controller of Her Majestys Stationery Office for Crown copyright material; NHS Executive for the figure Structure of the NHS 1996; Laing & Buisson for a table and a figure from Care of Elderly People: Market Survey 1996 (Laing & Buisson, 1996); Joseph Rowntree Foundation for an extract from a Table from