All countries will be faced with an increasing, and proportionately older, population with different health and disability issues over the next 10 to 20 years. Many Western countries have recognised that the post World War II baby boomers will retire from work during this period and that this could have a significant impact on the delivery of health and disability services.
This background paper seeks to outline some of the international discussion and suggestions for responding to the increased demand for services for ageing populations. The paper focuses mainly on the United States, Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom.