pointing in the same direction there is also evidence that a positive association exists in oecd countries between the share of social transfers in people s income in old age and the level of old age poverty ilo fig women s poverty rate at older ages is higher than men s in most eu countries the figures also tail to include other crucial elements of wellbeing particularly access to housing healthcare and other social services elderly home care for instance these services can be particularly important for older women who as previously noted live longer than men on average and are therefore more likely to become widows live alone greater housing costs and lack care assistance by cohabiting members of family greater need for elderly care services