Donald Peterson Kent believed that gerontology would grow through innovative inquiry, effective teaching, and well-evaluated policies and programs that benefited the elderly people. Because advances in research, education, and practice sustain each other, Kent's tripartite agenda continues to be instructive as globalization presents fresh…

The activity theory of aging, originally constructed on the basis of American research and tested predominantly in the USA, asserts an individual's life satisfaction is directly related to his degree of social interaction or level of activity. This theory was found to be relevant in the English context. (Author)

Examined same-gender and cross-gender friendships of 22 elderly Social Service Department clients in England. Findings raise issues about importance of cross-gender friendships to the housebound, about gender differentiation within friendships, and about different characteristics of the two kinds of friendships. (Author/NB)

Describes the Potteries Elderly Support Group, a small-scale, locally based initiative in England, which relieves relatives, one day a week, of some of the pressures associated with caring for an elderly mentally infirm person. Details the rationale for the group and describes how it has been funded, staffed, and operated. (JAC)

Reports effects of institutional regimes on levels of dependency among residents of public homes for the elderly in England. Differences in management practices and caring routines did not affect the creation or reduction of dependency among residents. Questions the rationale that informs some current notions of good practice in residential work.…

Used data from a longitudinal study of elderly which began in 1979 with 534 individuals in rural North Wales to study relationship between social circumstances and longevity. Multivariate analysis demonstrated there is no prima facie evidence that survival is affected by social networks or quality of life factors. However, socioeconomic factors…