Matilda White Riley (1911–2004) was an American gerontologist, working first as a research specialist before becoming a professor. She spent much of her career as a sociologist specializing in aging at the National Institute of Aging, Maryland, USA.Beth B. Hess (1928–2003) was a feminist sociologist and gerontologist. At the time of original publication, she was Professor of Sociology at the County College of Morris, New Jersey, USA. Kathleen Bond was at the time of original publication, working at the National Institute of Aging, Maryland, USA.

• Foreword Robert N. Butler 1. Introduction: A Mosaic of Knowledge Matilda White Riley 2. A Sense of History: Recent Research on Aging and the Family Andrew Cherlin 3. Economic Aspects of an Aging Population and the Material Well-Being of Older Persons Thomas J. Espenshade and Rachel Eisenberg Braun 4. Aging and Work Organizations Harris T. Schrank and Joan M. Waring 5. Work and Retirement in a Changing Society Anne Foner and Karen Schwab 6. Recent Trends in the Geographical Distribution of the Elderly Population Tim B. Heaton 7. Minority Aging Kyriakos S. Markides 8. Women and Men: Mortality and Health of Older People Lois M. Verbrugge 9. Age, Psychosocial Stress, and Health James S. House and Cynthia Robbins 10. Social Change and Food Habits of the Elderly Maradee A. Davis and Elizabeth Randall 11. Learning and Memory Through Adulthood Marion Perlmutter 12. Beyond Ageism: Postponing the Onset of Disability Matilda White Riley and Kathleen Bond. Postword: Where We Are and Where We Might Go Beth B. Hess. Author Index.