What is 'social integration of the elderly' in small-scale society?

Social integration of the elderly is a key analytical concept in both Western social and cross-cultural gerontology. While generally understood to describe the fit between the elderly and society in industrial nations, this construct should have utility for Third World societies as well. I argue that the concept is useful insofar as we clarify several antecedent considerations. These are, specification of (1) the model of integration being used; (2) other social distinctions besides age which affect the elderly; (3) the analytical level used; (4) underlying values leading to or away from integration; and, (5) the referent moment of time for society. These notions are discussed with reference to old age in one small-scale Melanesian society, Malo, Vanuatu.