Long-term demographic trends that determine the absolute and relative size of the elderly population also underlie changes in the proportions of older people with living spouses and children. Such changes have important implications for residential isolation, the provision of care and the overall quality of life of the old. Demographic trends influencing the family situations of older people in Britain are discussed and detailed projections presented for women reaching age 60 in the period 1971–96. Increases in the propensity to marry and bear children after about 1940, together with declining mortality, mean that the proportions of older women that are married and that have children are likely to increase until the second decade of the next century. It is often assumed that demographic ageing will result in an increase in the number of elderly women living alone. However, the increase in the proportion of them that are married offsets this trend.

Fifty elders, 61–91 years of age, identified and evaluated the important people in their lives. Characteristics which typified good relationships in general were reciprocity, trustworthiness, friendliness and responsibility. Highest mean scores on the semantic differential scale were found for friends, lowest for neighbours. Significant differences between these two groups indicates that they cannot be combined. Grandchildren did not appear to play a central role in the lives of this group of elders. Spouses gave each other low ratings relative to other groups of supporters. If replicated in a larger sample, the possibility should be investigated that respondents may evaluate intimate relationships on a different ‘psychological yardstick’ than other relationships and relatively low evaluations may not indicate marital dissatisfaction.

Drawing upon evidence from Britain, this paper advances the proposition that new generations of older people are experiencing a healthier, materially better off and more satisfying old age. It is argued that both popular and scientific images of later life are out-dated and unduly negative. In advancing this analysis, attention is given to key areas of personal experience and social life: education, leisure and holidays, retirement, voluntary activity, spirituality, economic status, health and political involvement. A re-construction of the societal position of older people is indicated.

Elderly people are often seen as the recipients of informal care. In the study reported here, there are clear indications that carers of mentally handicapped people are predominantly female and often beyond retirement age. For some the task is burdensome, but for many it provides a reciprocity both of care and of companionship. Older carers are observed to receive more professional aid than younger carers. But as demographic trends make this caring relationship more common it will be necessary for formal support systems to become more integrated and comprehensive.