1. Almost 1 million people in the United States were 65 years or older in 1989. This group is anticipated to more than double, increasing to over 68 million by the year 2050. 2. Evidence from a range of studies suggests that older persons are at risk for ongoing disability as a result of the underuse of mental health services. 3. Continuing advances in our understanding of mental disorders of the elderly--particularly with respect to management and treatment--point to the necessity of ongoing continuing education for nurses practicing in all sites that serve older persons.