Some Problems Arising from a Study of Mental Patients Over the Age of Sixty Years

Abstract

It is generally known that in recent years there has been a considerable increase of the elderly population. In addition, we assume that unless the birth-rate rises again, an increasing proportion of the population will be found in the involutional and senile periods of life. This development has already begun; whereas in 1901 7.6 per cent. of the population of Scotland were over 60 years of age, the percentage in 1941 has been estimated at 13.0. Men are less long lived than women, the figures being 6.6 and 8.-6 in 1901, and 12.1 and 13.8 in 1941.