Inadequate welfare services for the aged

In many developed countries, elderly people complain of shortcomings in such fundamental aspects of the quality of their lives as living arrangements, housing standards, health care, provision of social and counselling services, and public transport. They see social assistance primarily as an opportunity to improve their financial, social and mental independence, and as a means to self-help. However, measures taken by the public authorities often fail to improve access to cultural and educational activities, and also fail to improve the physical and mental mobility of the aged.