This publication is the outcome of the Older and Wiser Project that assessed projects' work with elderly black clients. The first part defines who the black elderly are and provides an overview of the black elderly in Britain using data from the 1991 Census. A chart breaks down ethnic minority groups by age. Population pyramids that provide an overview of the age and gender structures of individual black/ethnic minority populations. Specific findings are presented for these populations: African-Caribbean elders, Asian elders, and refugees. The second part contains seven case studies that outline the background and requirements of some of the other ethnic minority elders. They demonstrate clearly that, although black elders have much in common in terms of their experience of institutional racism and isolation from mainstream services, they each have a unique set of circumstances that providers can address only if they are prepared to enter into creative partnerships and ongoing dialogue with the communities themselves. Appendixes include 13 references and further reading; a list of organizations contacted; a paper on "The Particular Requirements of Older People in Ethnic Minority Communities"; and questionnaires. (YLB)