The size of the world's elderly population continues to increase and alternative ways of providing support are continually being sought. This support depends in large measure on families and other informal care-givers complementing the health and social services. In 1982, the World Assembly on Aging directed international attention to the primary role of the family in supporting the elderly, while highlighting the lack of information on aging and families, particularly in developing countries. Initiated by the World Health Organization's Global Program for Health of the ELderly, this book provides an introduction to the understanding of aging and family relations. The chapters are designed to heighten appreciation of the cultural diversity of aging, and to contribute to the improvement of policies and programs aimed at enhancing the well-being of the world's increasing numbers of elderly people. The international contributors have all worked extensively in the field, and the comparisons they draw between practice in different countries has not been previously published in such detail.