The dramatic increases in life expectancy that have occurred throughout the twentieth century have had a profound impact on both individuals and families. In 1900, the average life expectancy was 47 years and people over 65 years of age accounted for approximately only 4 % of the U.S. population—or less than one in 25 persons. Today, life expectancy at birth has risen to 72.5 years for men and
... [Show full abstract] 79.3 years for women and people over the age of 65 represent 12.8 % of the total U.S. population (U.S. Census Bureau, 2000). The democratization of the aging experience or the longevity revolution has led to a life course revolution (Skolnick, 1991). The changes in mortality have greatly influenced the concepts of young, middle, and older adulthood. Moreover, as a result of longer life expectancy, many of today’s families are multigenerational. Indeed, the modal family structure for American adults aged 50–54 is a three-generation family of adults who have one or more parents or parents-in-law and one or more children.