In young adults, preparedness to accept improbable events as planned rather than due to chance is predictive of the level of belief in the paranormal, possibly underpinned by lower intelligence levels (Musch and Ehrenberg, 2002). The present study, using a sample of 73 older participants aged 60-84 years failed to find any relationship between…

This literature review presents viewpoints on retirement expressed in four books: "Capitalism and the Construction of Old Age," (Chris Phillipson); "Work and Retirement," (Stanley Parker); "Work or Retirement?" (B. Casey, G. Bruche); "The Ageing Worker," (M. Doering, S.R. Rhodes, M. Schuster). (JB)

Gerontology emerged as a discipline in America in the 1940s and 1950s. Since the 1950s, it has developed much more slowly in Britain. The study of gerontology generally aims to improve the knowledge base about the aged and the aging process in order to provide better qualified personnel and develop a more efficient delivery system to serve the…

Notes that some demented elderly people can still recall emotionally subjective past. Outlines case study that illustrates how emotional autobiographical memories of past events can be stimulated through individual use of reminiscence and counseling skills. Suggests that there are possible therapeutic effects attached to this approach and that…

Describes a poetry group developed for older adults with functional mental health problems, based at a day hospital in the United Kingdom. Evaluates the group's effectiveness using both quantitative pre and post measures and qualitative feedback. Finds that all group members enjoyed the group, and that its benefits seemed to lie on a continuum…

The prevalence and implications of childlessness in old age are compared across nine major surveys in seven countries: Australia, Finland, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Specifically, the researchers examine indicators of the well-being and resources of childless men and women, compare them to their…

The idea of the University of the Third Age (U3A) in the UK was originated from France. However, the British formed their own model of U3As, which is different from that of French U3As. What are the reasons that the British U3As developed in a different way? The purpose of this article is to interpret and criticize in-depth the reasons why British…

The article focuses on findings that were replicated across several countries and considers their relevance for future older adults. Key findings are that (a) childlessness makes more of a difference in men's than in women's lives, (b) never-married women are a childless category with particularly favorable characteristics, and (c) childless…

The following British case study illustrates how a group of Primary Health Care Trusts expanded partnerships with a university to support the development of 12 new advanced primary nurses (APNs). The cohort of APNs were undertaking new roles and were part of the national pilot of the Department of Health adapted Evercare programme for the "at…

Elderly people show preservation, or even enhancement, of data-driven control but loss of memory-driven control of selective attention. As people grow older they become more labile and more subject to control by external events. Old subjects remember, analyse, and employ smaller samples of the recent past. (Author)

The COOL (Community Opportunities for Older Learners) Leicester project os a model for encouraging community partnerships and sharing resources to raise the public profile of older adult learning in a community setting. It is being expanded to a nationwide network in Britain. (JOW)

In an evaluation of a 3-day residential course for adults over 50 by 19 attendees, all but one felt it would have been less effective in a nonresidential environment. They valued the group support, social interaction, lack of distractions, and intense focus on learning. (SK)

Computer-based communication has tremendous potential to support older adults. But if people are to use such systems autonomously, it is necessary to move beyond current interfaces and systems and develop devices that fit into the environment of the user. Using a Grounded Theory approach, three focus groups were held and, subsequently, 9 older…

Includes "Empowering Case Management Clients" (Rose); "Case Management in Rural Japan" (Maeda, Takahashi); "Coordinated-Care Teams" (Brodsky, Sobol); "Comparing Practice in the United States and the United Kingdom" (Sturges); "Business of Case Management Flourishing in the U.S." (Cress); and…

Academic debate about education and ageing issues has hitherto been based largely on provider and practitioner concerns. Here, the first stage of a two-year research project that aimed to move the focus to older learners themselves is discussed. The aim in this initial stage was to construct a conceptual model of life course influences on older…