Changes in the development of federal legislation affecting the elderly are analyzed in this study, which concentrates on the use of chronological and non-chronological eligibility criteria. Data for this research are contained in a computerized annotated index of federal legislation impacting on older Americans. The index covers seven major areas of federal legislation: social services, income maintenance, housing, consumer affairs, health care, employment, and taxation. For this preliminary analysis, specific attention is given to the areas of housing, nutrition, and health care programs designed to serve older persons. Also discussed is the increased use over time of functional (i.e., non-chronological) definitions as modifiers of chronological eligibility criteria. The question of the extent to which chronological definitions are adequate as categorical identifiers of those in need persists. The study suggests changes which should be made to reduce the inequities and inconsistencies which persist in federal legislation oriented toward older Americans, many of which seem to have evolved specifically because of the lack of a strong, cohesive age-based lobby at the federal level. (Author)