| More than 500 old people crammed into a Maryland auditorium to watch 18 women compete for the crown of Ms. Maryland Senior America. National organizers say the pageant was started 32 years ago to honor women who have reached the "Age of Elegance." Contestants were judged on poise, talent, an interview and, yes, their appearance in an evening gown. But there was also a category - worth 20 percent of their score - called inner beauty, for which the senior women had to present their "philosophy of life" in 35 seconds or less.
In view of the availability of free time, family relations to a large extent are the center of attention for old people. Nevertheless, due to the changes in the family structure in industrial countries, large families have disintegrated and the older people do not often live close to their children and other relatives. Therefore, the societies are faced with a serious problem of the adaptability of older people to independent living.
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