Cross-national comparisons of planning for the needs of the very old: Israel, Sweden, and the United States

This paper begins with a summary of demographic trends indicating the increase of the very old in the general population. It then examines the needs of and services available to tne very old in three modem democracies—Israel, Sweden, and the United States. Based on these findings, cross-cultural similarities as well as differences are outlined. The authors conclusion is that ideology determines which aspects of a need a nation invests in most, but that the support of policy is necessary.