Includes bibliographical references and index.

Chapter 1: WHAT ARE THE PREVAILING ATTITUDES REGARDING THE AGING POPULATION? -- Society Is Prejudiced Against Aging -- Society Is Becoming More Accepting of Aging -- People Are Afraid of Growing Old -- People Are Becoming Less Afraid of Growing Old -- A Significant Number of Seniors Experience Decreased Mental Function -- Overall, Mental Function Does Not Lessen with Age -- Chapter 2: HOW SHOULD GOVERNMENT AND BUSINESS HELP SUPPORT THE AGING POPULATION? -- Government Benefits for Retirees Must Be Preserved -- Government Support for Retirees Discourages Personal Responsibility -- The Medical System Is Not Prepared to Deal with an Aging Population -- Medicare Is Changing to Meet the Needs of an Aging Population -- Encouraging Delayed Retirement Will Minimize Age-Related Economic Problems -- Encouraging Delayed Retirement Is Not Practical -- Chapter 3: WHAT SOCIAL IMPLICATIONS DOES AN AGING POPULATION PRESENT? -- Mass Retirements and Corresponding Economic Problems May Be Inevitable -- Mass Retirements and Corresponding Economic Problems Need Not Be Inevitable -- An Aging Population Will Be a Financial Burden to Society -- An Aging Population Can Contribute Much to Society -- Retirement Planning Is Vital -- Standard Retirement Planning Overlooks Financial Hazards -- Chapter 4: WHAT IS THE ROLE OF SCIENCE IN THE AGING PROCESS? -- Science Will Soon Be Able to Slow or Stop the Aging Process -- Science Cannot Stop the Aging Process -- Indefinitely Prolonging Life Would Be Desirable -- Indefinitely Prolonging Life Would Not Be Desirable.