The older population, defined as those 65 years and older, has been steadily increasing as a percentage of the total population since 1900. Currently, it constitutes 13% of the population. The United States Bureau of the Census predicts that the elderly will represent 20% of the U.S. population by 2030. The older population itself is getting older, with greatest percentage increases in the subgroup of elderly over 85 years of age. This segment of the elderly is now 28 times greater in number than in 1900. The aging process is associated with unique medical problems-including declining...