Abstract

This article examines whether people aged 85-and-over, referred to throughout as ‘The Oldest Old’, are more likely to suffer from social exclusion than people aged 65-84. Social Exclusion is defined according to the four dimensions identified in the 1999 Poverty and Social Exclusion Survey. Using data from Understanding Society, the analysis finds that the Oldest Old have a higher likelihood of experiencing social exclusion than people aged 65-84. These findings illustrate the risks facing the Oldest Old, and highlight the policy challenges presented by ageing western populations.