THE STUDY ALSO SUGGESTS THAT INFLATION HAS A FAR WORSE IMPACT UPON THE ELDERLY THAN PREVIOUSLY THOUGHT, AFFECTING NOT ONLY THEIR RETIREMENT FINANCIAL CONDITION BUT ALSO THEIR PSYCHOLOGICAL AND SOCIAL CONDITION. THE STUDY CONCLUDES THAT TRADITIONAL CONSUMER EDUCATION PROGRAMS FOCUSING ONLY UPON POVERTY OF MEANS WILL BE INEFFECTIVE UNLESS THEY INCLUDE AN ADDITIONAL FOCUS ON THE POVERTY OF MEANING IN THE LIVES OF OLDER CONSUMERS. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)...PO