The contention that younger veterans differ from their elders in their attitudes and expectations was shown to be an inaccurate generalization on the basis of this reported inquiry. Three general classes of informational data were collected from both younger and older veterans: (1) perception of hospital services; (2) patient problems and services needed; and (3) demographic characteristics. It was found that real situational factors, for example recreational opportunities, quality of food and treatment, were responded to comparably by patients of all ages. GM&S patients and psychiatric patients, however, held significantly different views on situational, present need and special problem factors. Reality or situational factors contributed more to stated degree of satisfaction than did age, though certain characteristics, such as drug usage, trouble with the law, and future-orientation, did differentiate older and younger groups. It is suggested, however, that alternative life-style paradigms be developed to cope with the greater problem of social marginality seen particularly in the differences between GM&S and psychiatric patients. (KS)