EFACE<br > Gerontology is the young study of an old problem. Throughout recorded<br > history， humans have been concerned with growing older--sometimes despair-<br > ing at the relentless passage of time; sometimes searching for a fountain of<br > youth or elixirs to restore declining vigor; and， on occasion， reflecting on the<br > wisdom or calm that the years have brought them. The systematic study of<br > aging， however， is a fairly recent phenomenon， becoming focused with the<br > founding of the Gerontological Society in 1945. Since that time it has grown<br > steadily， both as a discipline and as part of college curricula. One aspect of<br > gerontological research is certainly an understanding of the basic processes<br > of aging， with the age-old goal of discovering those keys that would prolong<br > and improve the quality of life. But more immediately， the study of aging is<br > concerned with integrating the later years into our view of human life.<br > We have often looked at development as something occurring only in<br > childhood and adolescence， with its goal the attainment of a plateau of<br > maturity and ability we call adulthood. But the possibilities for change and<br > growth throughout the adult years are great， even near the end of life where<br > one may be experiencing a decline in health or in some abilities. Develop-<br > ment is the process of our lives， and it does not cease at age 21 or 45 or 65:<br > only its focus changes.<br > A major purpose of this book is to explore the processes of developmen<br > in the later years and their impact on people s lives. This search is not withoul<br > pain or disappointment; however， involvement with older persons will brinE<br > students into contact with people who often long for human contact， whc<br > can be wise or sad or funny or foolish， but who give us a sense of our pas~<br > and a view of the present that otherwise would be lost to us. There is a specia!<br > delight in bridging over age differences with warmth and understanding. Ir<br > addition to our personal enrichment， a balanced view of aging， emphasizin~<br > both the continuing strengths and abilities as well as the difficulties that ma3<br > confront the old， is of value to the student who may enter a profession tha<br > directly serves older persons， or who may work as a volunteer，， or for.relating_<br >