title: Living with disabilities in Austria--with a special focus on the capital.
abstract: Life expectancy, especially in the older age groups, is growing enormously due to better social and medical care. According to published data on disabled people (1997), about 30 % of the total population (7,119,000) in Austria suffer from at least one physical disability. In this study, data from a micro census as well as a report from the Federal Ministry for Social Security and Generations is analyzed to illuminate the situation of impaired people with a focus on the capital Vienna. Among other results, it is anticipated that a large number of disabled people receive no help at all. About every 7th person regularly receives care, every 10th receives daily support. Care intensity increases with age showing a clear progression from the age of 60 onwards. 88% of the main supporting individuals are related to the handicapped person being supported. Women generally exhibit a much higher participation in nursing. The socio-political developments are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Anthropology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria. gerhard.weber@univie.ac.at
authors.forename: Alois
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Soritsch
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001317:Austria / Q000453:epidemiology; D017028:Caregivers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006699:Home Care Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011640:Public Policy; D012947:Social Work / Q000458:organization & administration*