- Provides an overview of legislation that provides the foundation for aging related benefits and services

- Discusses theories that help predict service use, thus offering readers a framework to understand why older adults often do not use services

- Provides case studies that encourage critical thinking about the delivery and use of community resources

- Descrbes both public and private programs and services available to older adults, in-depth reviews of the current body of empirical literature in each program area, and discussions of the challenges programs and services will face in the future

- Includes best practice examples of community programs from around the country that illustrate unique ways to meet the needs of older adults

- Lists national organizations and Internet resources for each topic area

- Includes learning activities that challenge students to explore the community resources that exist in the reader's locale