Elderly of the Future, 1987

A prerequisite for long-term old age policy is that one is able to 'visualize' the elderly of the future, their needs and their expectations as regards old age. It is also necessary to map out how the future development of society may influence these expectations. On the basis of this the EGV Fund has initiated a Future Study (Fremtidsstudie) the purpose of which is to examine the situation of the elderly in the Danish society about the year 2000-2010. The study includes all persons who will be over 60 in the year 2000. Main emphasis has been put on the coming generations of old people who are expected to have another background and other attitudes than old people of today. # In order to test a number of theories concerning differences between the age groups as regards attitudes to and wishes for old age, an interview survey was carried out comprising 1200 persons aged 40-44, 50-54 and 60-64. The survey contains a number of questions about attitudes to private life and to society, and it also contributes to an examination of some of the other themes covered, including age and family structure, health, housing conditions, employment conditions, financial conditions, private and public services, spare time activities and education, as well as political attitudes