Support For The Aged: Public And Private Responsibility

Abstract

However, a large segment of the public is now calling for limits on the cost of government and on the role of government in the lives of individuals. As they heed this call, politicians are increasingly reluctant to pass new spending measures for the benefit of the aged or other groups. This country is in a period of uncertainty, when diffi cult questions must be asked, such as, How much responsibility for the wel fare of the aged should government as sume? How much should it provide in the form of programs and services to the aged? How much should be pro vided by families, friends, and the aged themselves? In attempting to resolve these troublesome issues, it is neces sary to remember that the demand for the curtailment of government is a two-sided coin. That is, if the govern ment is to do less, then private individ uals and families need to reexamine