As the number of older adults in the United States increases, so will the expected number of allegations of elder abuse. Adult protective services (APS) staff are likely to handle much more complex situations, and in growing numbers, due to the presence of chronic and life-limiting conditions of their clients. The APS workers, in this national…

Notes that most American institutions are unwittingly geared to age prejudice as in past times they were geared to race prejudice and sex prejudice. In determining needs and abilities, age is quite as irrelevant as is race. (Author/AM)

Suggests that the view of older persons as a status group with unique specialized needs tends to set up a dysfunctional tension between older Americans and the rest of society. (Author/AM)