Old Age in Australia: A History

Description

The first book to explore the history of older people in Australia from 1880 to 1980. The Australian population is rapidly getting older, demanding important policy and service decisions. This groundbreaking book is the first to explore a 100-year history of older people in Australia from 1880 to 1980. Over that period the aged suffered as 'forgotten people' until 1945, when there was the promise of a new deal for the elderly. Major themes examined include family histories of aged care, poverty, social and medical policy, gender, the impact of wars and economic depression, housing, nursing homes and the retirement debates. Old Age in Australia provides essential historical context for current discussions about the implications of ageing in Australia.

Pat Jalland has been a professor of history at the Australian National University since 1997. She previously taught history at Murdoch and Curtin universities, and was a research fellow at Lucy Cavendish College, Cambridge. Her books include Women, Marriage and Politics- Death in the Victorian Family, which won the New South Wales Premier's Prize for history; and Changing Ways of Death in 20th Century Australia.