IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THE ELDERLY MAINTAIN A SENSE OF MASTERY OVER THEIR LIVES SINCE THE LOSS OF SUCH CONTROL HAS PROFOUNDLY NEGATIVE EFFECTS UPON THE HEALTH, WELL-BEING, AND BEHAVIOR OF THE ELDERLY. MOST IMPORTANT, THE LOSS OF SUCH CONTROL HEIGHTENS THE ELDERLY'S FEAR OF CRIME. THIS LOSS OCCURS BECAUSE OF CHANGES IN PHYSICAL SKILLS, PSYCHOLOGICAL TRAITS, AND SOCIAL SITUATIONS. BECAUSE THE ELDERLY SUFFER A DECLINE IN POSITIVE SELF-CONCEPT AS THEY LOSE CONTROL OF THEIR ENVIRONMENT, ONE OF THE BEST WAYS TO HELP THEM MAINTAIN A POSITIVE SELF-CONCEPT IS TO INVOLVE THE WHOLE COMMUNITY IN AN 'ENVIRONMENTAL SUPPORT SYSTEM' WHICH MAKES THE COMMUNITY SAFER FROM CRIME. THE ELDERLY SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED TO DEVELOP STRONG FEELINGS OF TERRITORIALITY WITH A SENSE OF CONTROL OVER THEIR HOME AND NEIGHBORHOOD ENVIRONMENTS. THE ELDERLY SHOULD LEARN TO RECOGNIZE AND CORRECT UNSAFE AREAS IN THEIR ENVIRONMENTS. PROVIDERS OF SERVICES TO THE ELDERLY CAN PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN HELPING THE ELDERLY REGAIN CONTROL OVER THEIR LIVES. REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (KCP)