This reference book is correlated closely with the essential elements prescribed by the State Board of Education in the Texas Administrative Codes for Home Economics. It is organized into 22 chapters that are intended to be used as needed, not in any particular order. Each chapter begins with the essential element(s) and objectives to achieve. Within the text, italicized, bold-faced vocabulary terms are included with definitions or explanations. Illustrations are also included. The content of each chapter is summarized, and a critical thinking section is included to reinforce the basic content and to facilitate critical thinking skills. Chapters cover the following topics: special health needs of individuals; financial impacts on families; factors affecting psychological family health; the person with special health needs and society; special health conditions; characteristics of special health conditions; social and psychological effects of special health needs; special health needs advances; laws for a person with special health needs; employment and training for persons with special health needs; the aging process; changes and needs of the elderly individual; needs of the elderly; elderly in the community; services for the elderly; care for the elderly upon retirement; family adjustments for special health needs; physical care for the person with special health needs; terminal illness and death; needs of persons with emotional, intellectual, and physical impairments; abuse of elderly and people with disabilities; and careers regarding special health needs. A list of 23 references and an index of technical terms and concepts complete the book. (KC)