Study title

In celebration of the “International year of elderly people” 1999 as well as by special request of the Federal Ministry for environment, youth and family this special survey from June 1998 is once more on the topic “elderly people”. It had already been the topic of several special programs of the years 1971, 1979 and 1987. With regard to the foreseeable superannuation of the population it is necessary to have up-to-date data on the life conditions of elderly people which can serve as a basis for political decisions. 20 percent of the Austrian population are over 60 years old. In 2030 it will be 32 percent. To handle these expected changes in the population structure it is necessary to take measures in the field of health care, sufficient social services, infrastructure and housing situation. To effectively control the socio-political superstructures, politicians need data on the so called “generation transfer”. Therefore, this survey also poses questions on in how far elderly people get help for free (certain expense allowances are acceptable) form their relatives and friends and how often elderly people themselves help their (grand)children or other persons. To gain more insight in the life situation of the population over 60, interviewees are also asked, whether they are part of a family network of whether they live socially isolated.