IT IS SUGGESTED THAT LOSSES IN THESE THREE AREAS NOT ONLY LIMIT THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE OLDER PERSON'S BEHAVIOR, BUT ALSO AFFECT THE INDIVIDUAL'S CONCEPTIONS OF SELF AND ENVIRONMENT, MAKING HIM FEEL MORE VULNERABLE. THE RELATIONSHIPSHIP BETWEEN THE ACTUAL VICTIMIZATION, EXPOSURE TO CRIME, AND THE PERCEIVED THREAT OF CRIME AMONG THE ELDERLY IS THEN EXPLORED. THE CLEAREST EFFECT OF THE THREAT IS SHOWN TO BE IN THE COPING BEHAVIOR OF OLDER PERSON - HIS ATTEMPTS TO CONTROL EXPOSURE TO POTENTIAL VICTIMIZATION. IT IS CONCLUDED THAT, WHILE ALL OLDER PEOPLE ARE NOT PASSIVE, HELPLESS, AND PARALYZED BY FEAR, ALL WHO ARE POTENTIAL VICTIMS ARE AT GREATER PSYCHOLOGICAL RISK, AND THAT THE PERCEIVED THREAT IN THE ABSENCE OF REALLY EFFECTIVE COPING BEHAVIOR MAY WELL BE THE CRITICAL FACTOR IN THEIR ABILITY TO LIVE SATISFYING LIVES. REFERENCES ARE INCLUDED....ELW