The rate of elderly living in poverty rose from 2.9 percent in 1980 to 23.9 percent in 1990.
But in the 13 years since the center began serving 900 poor and low-income elderly living in the area, another kind of poverty announced itself.
The elderly living in urban areas suffer disproportionately from poverty and malnutrition.
Millions of the elderly living at home need help with the basic activities of living.
The number of elderly living in Japan's retirement or nursing homes also increased from around 75,000 in 1970 to more than 216,000 in 1987.
There however may be some benefit for the frail elderly living in care homes.
The proportion of elderly living alone has almost doubled since the early 1970's, to 13 percent.
According to the Journal "Demography", there is a rise in the elderly living alone if not with a spouse.
In Suffolk the number of elderly living alone grew 31 percent, to 30,000, from 1980 to 1990.
She promoted a Bill to pay pocket money to the elderly living in institutions.
