MAINSTREAMING GERONTOLOGY IN THE POLICY ARENA

Aging has come of age and is now one of the important domestic issues facing the United States. What we do or don't do in the 1990s will det ermine what type of aging society we will have in the next century. Th e challenge we face as gerontologists is to think about new ways to he lp broaden the debate about preparing for an aging society in a compre hensive manner that takes into account the diverse disciplines and int erest groups that will increasingly shape aging-related issues. Those who have labored in the field of aging when it was a relatively cloist ered profession should delight in the new-found respect and recognitio n of their work by the larger society. On the other hand, this mainstr eaming of aging will create new challenges and opportunities, as we lo ok ahead to the new aging.