In response to the major demographic changes taking place in the United States and the world, teachers can successfully teach about older people within the framework of the social studies curriculum. A government course, as an example, offers varied approaches in methods to apply social studies concepts to the study and assessment of issues related to older people within a historical, political, social, and economic context. The government course not only addresses major policy issues but also introduces a valuable component to learning: intergenerational communication and sharing. Older people become resources for students, and the entire community benefits by bringing varied members together. The students become engaged in thinking about their own futures and their relationships with older people in their communities; older people gain a better appreciation for youth. (Contains 1 table.)