YOUD BE VERY SURPRISED AT WHAT THE WAR HAS DONE TO PEOPLE - VETERANS TALK ABOUT THE WAR

This paper examines how people's war experiences affect their emotiona l and physical health and sense of identity in old age, It is part of a larger qualitative study into health and independence in old age whi ch involves old people from a variety of Australian and migrant backgr ounds, adult children and general practitioners, In this study old peo ple talk about their health and illness experiences, and how they see their lives now and in the future. Most were young adults during the w ar years. This paper presents case histories of three people whose fiv es have been affected as soldiers and civilians by war and its afterma ths. It uses narrative and interview material to explore the meanings of wartime experiences in old age, and develops specific themes around pain and survivorship which are associated with these experiences.