ABSTRACT
Social workers are serving more elderly clients than ever before. Living longer, the American elderly population is growing at an alarming rate. In fact, the elderly population is expected to increase to 21.8 percent of the entire U.S. population by the year 2030 (Angel and Hogan, 1994). During the years 2020 and 2050, the most dramatic changes are projected to occur in the percentage among the oldest old (85+). Today's minorities constitute 14 percent of the older population; however, projections are that they will make up over one-third of those age sixty-five and older by the year 2050. Black American elders form the fastest growing segment of the black population, living in both rural and urban settings (Wykle and Kaskel, 1994).
