Family change and support of the elderly in Asia: What do we know?

"After outlining variations in traditional family systems in Asia, this article discusses likely impacts of urbanization, industrialization and migration on family structure and care of the elderly. Evidence about changing family support for the elderly in Asia is then reviewed. The article's main conclusion is that future changes in Asian countries and areas seem likely to erode traditional family-based systems of care for the elderly, even if the overall welfare of the elderly improves because of higher incomes. Problems faced by elderly women are likely to be especially acute and may require special policies to deal with them."