Purpose: To validate a survey research measure of subjective income, as measured by perceived income adequacy, in an international context. Design and Methods: The study population comprised persons aged 50 years and older in 12 countries from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (n = 28,939). Perceived difficulty in making ends…

Purpose: This study explored the role control plays in the dying process of terminally ill elders by investigating the aspects of the dying process over which they seek to exercise control, the strategies they use, and whether they desire to exercise more control. Design and Methods: In-depth face-to-face interviews were conducted with 84…

Purpose: We document the extent to which older adults accurately report their spouses' end-of-life treatment preferences, in the hypothetical scenarios of terminal illness with severe physical pain and terminal illness with severe cognitive impairment. We investigate the extent to which accurate reports, inaccurate reports (i.e., errors of…

Presents the dynamics of transition from support to therapy group for caregivers of demented relatives. Describes the group's defense against individual expression of painful emotions and the psychotherapeutic approach used to confront it. Found no overall detriment to the group and apparent benefit to some individuals. (Author/NRB)

Assessed service utilization and cost impacts of a consolidated model of long-term care for functionally impaired elders. Compared to traditional long-term care, this model reduces hospital and nursing home stays, redistributes funds to broad range of community-based services, and reduces overall cost of long-term care. (Author/NRB)

Describes a brief nine-item interview, designed for use by practitioners. Based upon results from field-testing with 65 ambulatory geriatric patients, the instrument can be used as an aid to assess health and treatment perceptions in clinical settings. Responses to specific items may also suggest broader areas for follow-up discussion. (JAC)

Examined how autonomy and decision-making manifest themselves in 36 retirement communities in Arizona, California, Florida, and New Jersey. Results indicated that most residents let others make decisions. Autonomy was basically latent, with residents wanting the possibility of decision-making when crisis arises or community stability is…

Describes The Road of Life, a board game developed to increase understanding of the experiences of the elderly by simulating the gains and losses of old age. The game, followed by a group discussion, is an effective way to facilitate an increased understanding of old age. (JAC)

A counseling program for severely disabled elderly persons was developed consisting of cognitive group therapy by telephone. The intent of the program was to solve problems related to feeling dissatisfied, lonely, or being too inactive to remain healthy. A majority of the treated group members reported fewer feelings of loneliness after treatment.…

Describes Family-Centered Community Care for the Elderly, a research and demonstration project intended to strengthen and structure the relationship between informal and formal support systems. Explains how family members are trained in case management techniques by their elderly relative's social worker and then share case management with the…

Offers proposed definitions of "frail elderly" and "range of institutional care", and argues that an active problem-solving, treatment-oriented approach can reduce unnecessary institutionalization and that the movement to deinstitutionalize the elderly can learn from the history of the deinstitutionalization of other groups.…

Purpose: An increasingly important task for all disciplines involved in aging research is to identify and prioritize areas for investigation. This article reports the results of a national Delphi study on setting research priorities for gerontological social work. Design and Methods: Delphi methodology, a structured process for eliciting and…

Investigated 288 persons admitted to nursing homes for problems and problem management before admission. Found that multiple problems existed; primary caregivers were close family members. Extended family and friends were helpful, community resources were rarely used. Men were caregivers for nearly two-thirds as many persons as were women.…

Purpose: This study investigates gender differences in the association between self-rated health (SRH) and mortality. This association has been well-documented, but findings regarding gender differences are inconsistent. The specific objectives were (a) to examine these differences in a short and a long time frame, (b) to examine these differences…