As the American population increases, the health problems of older women will be of greater concern to health planners, because it is the elderly woman who most often survives to old age and has greater need of services. Data from the National Health Survey was used to determine characteristics, conditions, management, and outcomes of patients at physicians' offices, hospitals, and nursing homes. Results showed that ambulatory care in physicians' offices was most often sought by older women, generally for chronic, non-life-threatening conditions; their use of short stays at hospitals was only for acute illnesses. Minority women used medical services less often than white women but had longer lengths of hospital stays. This document contains numerous figures, tables, and appendices illustrating the statistical data and survey results. (JAC)