The first research effort undertaken to document conditions of life of older Indian and Alaskan Native people (aged 45 and older) nationwide was completed by the National Indian Council on Aging in 1980. Data were derived from results of a detailed survey administered to a random sample of 712 older Indians and Alaskan Natives from urban and rural areas across the country. Data included information on social resources, economic resources, mental health, physical health, ability to perform activities of daily living, receipt of services, housing conditions, and transportation needs. Major findings of the study included the following: character of life for Indian and Alaskan Natives is significantly different from that of the dominant population (i.e., relative income, education and employment levels, importance of extended family, and patterns of physical and mental health problems); impairment levels of Indians and Alaskan Natives 55 and older are comparable to non-Indian U.S. elderly 65 and older; existing service system falls short in satisfying needs for service; exact number and location of Indian elderly is not well documented, especially in urban areas; and review of legislation and funding sources relevant to Indian elderly revealed important discrepancies, among them in the definition of "Indian." (ERB)