Communication and the Elderly

Abstract
This article provides an overview of research on communication and the aging process, focusing on the three areas addressed in this special issue: cognition, language, and relationships. The overview illustrates how the articles in this special issue extend prior research on communication and aging. In addition, the authors address two issues of general concern to researchers: (a) appropriate methodologies for the study of communication and aging and (b) the relationship between theories of aging and communication research.