Designed for the rural practitioner, this manual offers a description of the major developmental tasks faced by individuals during the latter part of the life span and a summary of the major implications that research holds for building community programs for the rural elderly. Section II discusses two major assumptions: (1) because human beings are members of social systems (the most important of which is the family), those systems must be considered if services are to be effective; and (2) effective social programs will take into account the fact that life is a developmental process. Although the primary focus of the manual is on the elderly, the developmental approach calls for a study of middle age. Section III discusses the changes and challenges of middle age. Section IV, with emphasis on the rural elderly, discusses the major social-psychological developments of old age including role changes, physical and mental changes, income and housing issues, perceptions of life, and family relationships. Section V offers guidelines for delivering human services to the rural elderly. It describes the diversity found in rural communities, misconceptions held concerning the elderly, involvement of the elderly in planning meaningful activities, service delivery cooperation, and family and network oriented programming. The manual advises the study, development, and use of strong natural helping systems for the delivery of human services to the rural elderly. Section VI is an extensive bibliography, divided into the same topic sections as the text of the manual. (CM)