THE GROWING SIZE OF CANADA’S ELDERLY POPULATION and its use of health care services has generated much discussion in policy circles and the popular press. With data from the National Population Health Survey, undertaken in 1994–95, the authors examine the health status of Canada’s elderly population using 3 sets of measures: level of activity limitations, prevalence of chronic illnesses and self-assessment of overall health. They also analyse the utilization of physician and institutional services. The profile of this population the authors develop is in many respects not much different from that of the remaining adult population, until the age of 75. People aged 75 and over are much.
