Quiet neighborhoods in small or middle sized communities where the risk of crime was low were conducive to active and satisfying lives for older people. Well-being tended to be higher in segregated buildings even with other factors such as exposure to crime controlled. (Author)

Studied time allocations of 525 older people from community-resident and service-agency populations. Strongest determinant of time allocation, beyond demographic characteristics, was functional health, which was better among people spending time in most obligatory activities. Cognitive competence was associated with media use, being alone, less…

Data from a 1968 national sample of older people (N=3,996) indicated that pet ownership was more frequent in owner-occupied residences in smaller communities where other family, including children were present. No association was found between pet ownership and psychological well-being or health. (Author)

Tenants moving into congregate (N=78) and traditional housing (N=122) were studied immediately before and one year after occupancy in order to determine what changes in well-being might be ascribed to the difference in levels of supportive services offered in the two environments. (Author)

Fear of crime was central in determining psychological well-being. Crime-related variables were minimally related to size of social space and activity outside the housing site. Planned housing serves a protective function and tenants are not necessarily made prisoners in their homes by crime or fear. (Author)

The relationship between sponsorship, community size, building size (number of dwelling units) and height of building, on the one hand, and six indices of well-being of elderly tenants, on the other, was examined in a study of 2457 subjects from 154 federally-assisted housing projects. (Author)

Kahneman and Tversky's (1979) Prospect theory was tested as a model of preferences for prolonging life under various hypothetical health statuses. A sample of 384 elderly people living in congregate housing (263 healthy, 131 frail) indicated how long (if at all) they would want to live under each of nine hypothetical health conditions (e.g.,…

Describes four sectors comprising "the good life": behavioral competence, psychological well-being, perceived quality of life, and objective environment. Assessment approaches for each sector are described and empirical evidence is presented regarding interrelationships among them. Presented at the 35th Annual Scientific Meeting of the…

Identifies the components of a supportive community environment for older people. Examines alternative residential types, their impacts on the elderly, and the extent to which they provide the optimal functioning conditions of environmental "Challenge" and "support." (Author/MJL)

Examines living arrangements as both an outcome of previous lifestyle, and as an antecedent for other events. Findings indicate that despite their much lower incomes, not-presently-married women live in housing of considerably higher quality than do men in comparable marital statuses and living arrangements. (Author)

Conducted baseline interviews with 642 caregivers of aged Alzheimer's disease patients, then assigned one-half to formal respite care. Over 12 months, families with respite care maintained Alzheimer's patient significantly longer in community than did caregivers without respite. Respite care was ineffective for caregiver burden and mental health,…

Assessed the health and well-being of 494 elderly residents in five federally assisted housing projects several years after a study of a similar sample of original occupants. Decline in functioning was more notable in psychological than in health domains. Declines were accommodated by developing different clusters of services delivered by…

Perceived community function (PCF) provides a model for assessing the role of environmental attributes in individual well-being. Subjects over 60 viewed health and nutritional programs as maintenance functions, while turning to senior centers for both maintenance and recreation. Delivery systems must consider the different expectations of…

Developed an instrument to measure the well-being of the aged. The Philadelphia Geriatric Center Multilevel Assessment Instrument (MAI) assesses behavioral competence in health, daily activities, cognition, time use, and social interaction. Performance of 590 older people determined the MAI is useful for research and assessment in service-giving…

Purpose: We systematically measured the associations between environmental design features of nursing home special care units and the incidence of aggression, agitation, social withdrawal, depression, and psychotic problems among persons living there who have Alzheimer's disease or a related disorder. Design and Methods: We developed and tested a…