Abstract:

Argues that in the rapidly aging Hungarian society, the trend of elderly people becoming endangered has not slowed down, but accelerated following the systemic changes of 1990. The deteriorating economic, health, & social position of the retired is examined here using official statistical data, supplemented by results of a small 1994 questionnaire study of the relationship between socioeconomic conditions & health among 100 old persons in home care in Budapest & 1993 interview data on the health attitudes & behavior of elderly employees in 20 large firms. It is concluded that, as a result of decentralization & marketization of social policy, the needs of many old people are being ignored, promoting their early death. A small proportion are able - partly because of their property supportive relatives, or their firm's policy - to buy different types of social & other services in the market to improve their chances.