Abstract:

Examines changing trends in the care of the elderly in Canada. The context of elder care has changed in recent years due to the aging of the overall population, increased likelihood for older adults to live alone, rising divorce rate, & high rates of female participation in the labor force. Many middle-aged Canadians are now faced with the responsibility of caring for both elderly parents & dependent children. At the same time, conservative attitudes toward health care & public services are leading to greater scarcity of public resources for the elderly. It is concluded that the Canadian trend to view elder care as a private matter rather than a public responsibility may have significantly negative consequences in the future.