Taken as a whole, the U.S. population is aging. People are living longer, and the impact is being felt decidedly within the American family. Elinor Ginzler, a specialist in health and long-term care for the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), is currently analyzing the concerns of the working "baby-boomer" generation (born 1945-1960) about their aging parents.

Q: How would you assess the relationship between the new generations and their aging or aged parents and other family members?

A: We are living in an increasingly complex society, and families find themselves spread more geographically than ever before. More mothers are in the workforce than in the past. All of these factors make it more difficult to address issues of aging parents. Still, there are a lot of families caring for aging parents and aging family members -- 22 million, in fact.

Q: What are your thoughts about efforts to bring together elderly citizens and children in constructive and creative ways -- in organizations like Generations United?

A: Efforts to address intergenerational activities are critical. These exchanges of information among people from different generations spending time together benefits everyone. Older people appreciate the time and attention. Younger people are fascinated by the wisdom and experience of their elders. As our society continues to age, I believe that such activities will expand more and more.

Q: Discuss the impact of increased mobility on U.S. family life, particularly with respect to the oldest generation.

A: In most early stages of family life in the United States, everyone, from every generation, lived together in one or two houses. The next progression was for families to separate, but still be close by -- in the same town, perhaps even on the same street. As suburbia developed outside the cities, the migration of young families outward created the first significant distancing in family life. Today, to some degree, our world keeps getting smaller, but the distances are still significant. Adult children often live hundreds if not thousands of miles away from their aging parents. Yet even across those distances, they remain involved in caregiving responsibilities. They rely on many others to assist in these activities, but that does not diminish their concern and level of caring.

Q: If the family is more geographically close, how do the actions and habits of grandparents affect young children?

A: It is important to recognize that living together, or close by, means there will be some changes in the way in which family members interact. Grandparents can have a very strong, positive influence on their grandchildren. And yet, I believe that patterns of interaction in families that have been set need to be acknowledged -- and if necessary worked through and modified. In some cases, moving back home can be a wonderful growth experience. It always helps if everyone has discussed this on all levels, among all generations. And it also helps if everyone is honest with each other about the strength and possible stresses involved.

Q: Will the older generation become more in vogue -- in the mass market and in the media -- as the aging of the population continues?

A: By the year 2020, there will be more people ages 60 and older than ages 18 and younger. These older adults not only will have the power of numbers, but also the power of economics accompanying those numbers. So as we age as a society, I think the emphasis will shift. We will see more elderly people in advertisements, on television, in the movies. The marketplace will reflect society of that time and place.

Q: How does a grandparent overcome the distance separating him or her from a grandchild?

A: It is important to remain a significant force in the young person's life. If the grandchild is in the primary grades, one way is to read to him or her -- on the phone, for instance. Record an audio tape of a favorite children's book, and send it. Grandchildren, in turn, can make videotapes of their activities. On a more elaborate level, there can be intergenerational vacations planned, or frequent visits back and forth. And, for a personal touch, there's nothing more appreciated, on either side of the generational divide, than communication -- via e-mail or a letter.

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This conversation was abridged by Editor Michael Bandler from an online discussion on abcnews.com.

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