The number of elderly, both in society at large and in the critical care population, is increasing at an unprecedented rate. Critical care nurses must address how best to provide care to these elders. Their special needs, risk factors, and diminished resources create a demand for comprehensive and creative approaches to care management. This issue of Critical Care Nursing Clinics explores the needs of the acute and critically ill elderly and the role of critical care nurses in meeting these needs. Articles included contain information on promoting recovery in acute care elders during hospitalization; targeting pain management in acute care elders during hospitalization; and cultivating responsiveness to hospitalized elders' needs.