Within the last decade, the topic of caregiving in the United States has been recognized as a significant social problem. Not only is caregiving itself a social problem, but there are a number of closely related issues such as stress and abuse which are problems in and of themselves. This study focused on public attitudes and concerns regarding the status of older adults in "Middletown." The areas of concern included government responsibility and intervention, caregiving and associated stress, and elder mistreatment. Annually, Ball State's Department of Sociology conducts the Middletown Area Survey. The data were obtained from 418 randomly selected telephone surveys. The sample ranged in age from 17 to 87 with a mean age of 43. The researchers posited that given the considerable range, age would have a significant influence on responses. The respondents expressed a wide variety of opinions and outlooks on the status and condition of older adults. Most agreed that providing long-term care in one's home for an older family member would be frustrating. Most agreed that the government should do more to help elders who cannot look after themselves. Many expressed the view that families should be willing to make financial sacrifices to place an older family member in a nursing home if they cannot be cared for at home. It was found that age did not play a consistent role in determining the respondents' attitudes. (LLL)