Focuses on the diversity of America's older population in terms of age, race, ethnicity, gender, economic status, longevity, health and social characteristics, and geog. distribution. Examines the possible implications of these demographic changes for generations to come. Attempts to understand the profile of the elderly population for the 21st century. Contents: numerical growth; longevity and health characteristics; economic characteristics; geographic distr'n.; social and other characteristics; the elderly of today and tomorrow. Over 100 detailed tables.