Old Age Coping Strategies of the Ionian and Maltese Poor, 1800-1865

Abstract

This paper investigates the coping strategies employed by Ionian and Maltese elderly poor for obtaining provisions, medical treatment and social assistance on a daily basis, during unforeseen illness, disability or economic mishaps while at the same time assuring themselves that their basic needs during advanced old age would be met. The elderly poor employed a combination of resources acquired from a variety of social networks, household, neighbourhood and village/town community, complemented by the formal relief and hospitalisation provided by public charitable institutions. A pivotal element moulding these flexible survival strategies was the ability of the aging poor to negotiate their actual needs with the different relief agencies, according to their different health status, gender, urban or rural location and household composition.