Introduction / 3
Part I: The Dilemma and Challenge / 13
Chapter One: Our Aging Population: The Dilemma and Challenge / 19
Chapter Two: Spiraling Healthcare Costs / 28
Chapter Three: Healthcare Institutions: Financial Pressures, Innovative Opportunities / 40
Part II: Some Solutions to Our Healthcare Crisis / 53
Chapter Four: Prevention, Healthy Living, and Wellness / 55
Chapter Five: Religion, Aging, and Health / 77
Chapter Six: Religion and the Long Tradition of Caring for the Sick / 98
Part III: The Role of Caring Communities 111
Chapter Seven: Religious Congregations and Retirement Communities as Support Networks / 113
Chapter Eight: Successful Aging and Purpose-Filled Retirement: The Mutual Benefits of Volunteering / 125
Chapter Nine: What “Caring” for the Elderly Truly Entails / 150
Part IV: Implementing the Vision / 167
Chapter Ten: The Partnership of Government, Philanthropy, and Faith-Based Communities / 169
Chapter Eleven: Practical Steps for Putting Faith into Action / 188
Appendix A: Contact Information / 203
Appendix B: References / 206
Index / 209