Originally published in 1990. Research into the provison made for the 30 million Americans, aged sixty-five and up, whom society calls "old."

R. J Margolis

Prologue -- Introduction The Civic Heart -- The Search for Security -- Income: A Tale of Two Programs -- Health: The Gift Repossessed -- Shelter: Bring Us to This Hovel -- The Struggle for Independence -- Home Care: The Dream Deferred -- A Personal History -- Exile: The Perils of Institutionalization -- Epilogue