The literature on attitudes of health workers toward the elderly suggests three variables as contributing to the elderly patient's perception of helplessness in the health care setting. First, the health worker may age-stereotype the elderly person as dependent, low in competence, and unlikely to respond to treatment. Secondly, the disparity in status between the health professional and patient leads to interpersonal distance, and the "professional-patient role" reinforces submissive behavior on the part of the patient. Lastly, in conformity to the "sick role" the older person may relinquish responsibility for his/her actions. The relative prevalence of chronic or disabling health conditions among the elderly make them most vulnerable to the helplessness-engendering conditions of the health care setting. (Author)