National surveys indicate that older adults attach a high value to their religious beliefs and behaviors. Research consistently shows that older people tend to be more deeply involved in religious activities than younger individuals. Ethnic and racial minority elders show a particularly high degree of participation in both organizational and nonorganizational (private) religious activities. Examples: older African Americans report significantly higher levels of religious participation than older Whites. In addition to church attendance, this participation may include reading religious materials, watching television programs, listening to religious music, and engaging in private prayers. Such activities can serve as a protective factor for psychological distress and wellbeing among older African Americans, although their absence may suggest a greater vulnerability (Jang et al., 2006). As is true for older African Americans, the majority of older Hispanics view themselves as religious, attend religious services, and engage in private prayers and meditation. Such involvement is correlated with greater hope and optimism, a greater sense of meaning and purpose, and greater social support; and each of these mechanisms is thought to benefit mental health. In addition, church attendance represents a unique form of social engagement that