Analyzed 1,160 court records to determine whether implementation of recommended procedural safeguards and guardianship practices was associated with outcomes of hearings for older adults. Presence of proposed ward at the hearing was not related to decisions about guardianship. Proposed wards who retained their own counsel were more likely to…

Examined the influence of a confidant and the characteristics of that relationship on the well-being of 1,200 older men. In general, the presence of a confidant or characteristics of the confidant (sex, age, contact, frequency) had little influence on well-being. Intimacy and disclosure may be less important to men. (JAC)

Studied health and finances among 1,782 older unmarried persons. Examined effect of financial strain on physical health over time and degree to which vulnerability to financial strain was linked to health. Found no evidence that financial strain contributed to poor health. (Author/NB)

Used longitudinal interview data to compare objective and subjective financial well-being of older, divorced/separated men (N=114) and women (N=251) at the beginning and end of 10-year period. Men and women did not differ in satisfaction with their level of living or assessments of financial adequacy at either interview. (Author/NRB)

A survey of 754 older adults serving as ombudsmen in nursing facilities found that formal education and follow-up training enhanced efficacy. Negative initial training was the most important influence on diminished efficacy. Those with higher efficacy and more positive initial training expressed less worry. (SK)

Assessed effects of widowhood, divorce, and lifelong singleness on income and evaluations of finances at two points, and investigated factors associated with satisfaction with level of living in old age. Analysis of data from two interviews with 2,047 older adults revealed that marital status affected economic circumstances and perceptions of…

A model of singleness in later life was developed to show how the social context may influence the personal and social resources of older, unmarried persons. Role transitions of the unmarried over the life course, finances, health, and social relationships of older singles are discussed with implications for practice and future research.…

Investigated extent to which perceptions of global and specific equity/inequity were associated with dissatisfaction, disagreement between spouses, partners' regard for one another, and gender-role attitudes for 82 couples over age 60. Studied differential influence of equity/inequity for well-being of women and men. (Author/NB)

Interviewed 1,496 urban and 553 rural older adults to examine how older unmarried persons spent time in formal, informal, and leisure activities. Found that urban women manifested most diverse social relationships and activities and rural men manifested the least. Data suggest that educational and intervention efforts should not ignore place of…

Reports longitudinal research which examined isolation among the unmarried aged and assessed personal characteristics associated with isolation from family and friends. Men and women were more isolated from neighbors and friends than from family, although the never-married maintained more ties with friends. (Author/BL)

Compared the personal and social resources and psychological well-being of 438 elderly parents and 103 childless people. Results showed both groups reported similar resources; children did not assure life satisfaction, less loneliness, or greater acceptance of death. The atypical status of the childless did not affect well-being. (WAS)

Examined whether life changes are associated with concurrent life and death attitude types among older adults. Individuals were identified as positivists, negativists, activists, and passivists. Some patterns varied by sex. Those who experienced discontinuity were frequently negativists or passivists, while continuity tended to characterize…

Interviewed 136 female heads of households in rural Sri Lanka. Found that marital status figured more importantly than age in use of health services. Concludes that, as unmarried heads of households increase in less developed places, their demands for health care at the village level likely will escalate. (Author/NB)

Examined quantification of time remaining and perceived distance from death among 568 older men and women. A substantial proportion (49 percent) didn't quantify the remaining portion of life, and age did not prompt specification of time remaining. Demographic characteristics predicted perceived distance from death better than life changes or sex.…

Evaluated the influence of occupation and employment status on the involvement of older males in the home and the impact of these factors on well-being. Data were analyzed from interviews with 1,193 men, 60 years of age or older. Occupation and employment status independently influenced family tasks and well-being. (Author)