Introduction -- Public policy and privatization: long-term care in the United States -- Caring for the frail elderly in Sweden -- New challenges for elder care in Finland -- The "Graying" of Israel -- The care of the frail older people in Britain: current policies and future prospects -- Canadian long-term care: its escalating costs for women -- French old-age policies and the frail elderly -- Care of the frail elderly in Germany --Japan's welfare vision: dealing with a rapidly increasing elderly population -- The changing role of the elderly in the People's Republic of China -- The elderly in Yugoslavia: a forgotten group in time of crisis.