: Some elders age gracefully, with barely any signs of diminished capacity. Others manifest severe infirmities, and adult children or others may have to step in and care for them in their twilight years. For someone in this position, The Caregiver's Manual will be a companion on one of life's most difficult but potentially rewarding journeys. In 1900, only four percent of the American population was sixty-five or older. By 2000, this number had more than tripled, and it is expected to nearly double again over the next fifty years. It is estimated that by the year 2050, more than one person out of five will be in the "senior" category.