Feminist reflections about older women, ageing and public policies: Approaches to Spanish case

Abstract

This article examines the aging process from a feminist perspective, reviewing conceptual issues associated with this subject such as age, gerontology and maturescence. Furthermore it describes the significant demographic changes of the elderly women in Spain and poses the social impact and political challenges to be assumed at the present and in the future. Likewise it explores the main policies and strategies implemented by Spanish government and the framework of social services which address to older women as a specific target and sector. Finally a critical reflection is made on older women, as caregivers, as beneficiaries and as citizens. Some ideas and thoughts are provided for better understanding of the circumstances surrounding women, taking into account age as a crucial issue in social and cultural scope.