The population of the United States is aging rapidly, and the number of those over 65 will reach 70 million by 2030. Currently, the elderly number just over 35 million, including 20.6 million women (USCB 2001a). American women typically outlive men, so over age 65, the sex ratio is 70 men:100 women and by over 85, it is 41:100 (USCB 2001b). Older men in the United States are typically married and living in families, while women are often widowed and living alone.

The proportion of elderly people in the Muslim population is currently small, but will grow dramatically in the ne…