Aging--a jewel in the mosaic of life. 15th Lenna Frances Cooper Memorial Lecture.

It is time to disabuse ourselves of the prevalent negative stereotypes and myths about aging. More people are living to an older age without the handicap of disease--and many of them are living independent, satisfying lives. True, there are old people who are loney, sick, and /or poor, but they are the minority. Nevertheless, they cannot be forgotten. There is an urgency to try to make their lives better. By ridding society of these negative stereotypes, better progress in the field of gerontology can be made. With nutrition woven so intimately into the fabric of satisfying living, opportunities beckon to the dietitian to provide service to the elderly. Done effectively, such service can add to the quality of life of all older persons, so that the later years can have dignity and meaning and indeed become a jewel in the mosaic of life.