Every day 10,000 baby boomers turn 65, and by 2030 more than 20% of US residents will be 65 or older. Mental health professionals must become familiar with the unique needs of this growing population. Using the APA Guidelines for Psychological Practice With Older Adults and the Pikes Peak Model for Training in Professional Geropsychology, this…

This is one of a series of booklets prepared as a resource for trained Housing Information Volunteers to provide impartial information to older people who have questions of concern about how to find safe, comfortable, affordable housing; how to cut household expenses or use their homes to earn extra income; home maintenance and home improvement;…

This guide was written to introduce consumers to home equity conversion (HEC) plans that are currently available and to explain the current state of HEC developments. It describes how the basic types of HEC plans work, gives examples of how how they can be used, discusses their advantages and disadvantages, and tells where they are available.…

This guidebook was designed to assist mayors, local officials, community activists, community-based organizations, and other aging and housing advocates in developing a framework to measure elderly housing needs and to develop a systematic strategy for assisting the elderly in their city with choices in suitable and affordable living arrangements.…

This is one of a series of booklets prepared as a resource for the American Association of Retired Persons' (AARP) Consumer Housing Information Service for Seniors, a local AARP volunteer program that uses trained Housing Information Volunteers to provide impartial information to older people who have questions of concern about how to find safe,…

This guide was developed for use by Housing Information Volunteers, persons trained by the Consumer Housing Information Service for Seniors, a local service organized under the auspices of the American Association of Retired Persons and a local agency or organization serving the elderly. It briefly defines programs and services that help older…

This guide on Alzheimer's disease is for those who care for Alzheimer's patients, as well as those who want to learn more about the disease. It answers these questions: (1) what is Alzheimer's? (2) how does the disease progress and how long does it last? (3) how do families cope? and (4) who can provide assistance and information? The guide also…

Rising life expectancies, reductions in disease, and the ability of the elderly to care for themselves and cope with life stresses all attest to the fact that Americans are learning how to maintain and improve their health. However, experts have noted that greater knowledge about the health problems of the elderly is needed. The elderly are prone…

This guide offers advice to help people cope with a variety of losses, including losses associated with divorce, retirement, relocation, disability, or illness, and the loss of a pet, financial security, independence, or control and decision making. It discusses what one can expect when one suffers a loss and how to handle grief. Common reactions…

This is one of a series of booklets prepared as a resource for the American Association of Retired Persons' (AARP) Consumer Housing Information Service for Seniors, a local AARP volunteer program that uses trained Housing Information Volunteers to provide impartial information to older people who have questions of concern about how to find safe,…

This handbook is designed to help older persons and their families understand the concept of home care, the types of services available, and the agencies that provide them. It also provides consumers with guidance on how to evaluate the quality and cost of home care they or their loved ones may receive. These specific topics are discussed: (1) who…

Women must assert their special concerns and take action to control their health care and improve their health. Healthy practices throughout life, including the later years, can have a significant positive impact on the quality of life. Improvement of women's health means taking action through prevention, detection, and treatment. Preventive…

The history of the labor unions has been a history of men helping their fellows. Preretirement counseling and guidance is clearly an area where the labor unions could continue their heritage of collective self-help. The retiree faces new problems in Social Security and Medicare, health and nutrition, financial and legal adjustments, time and…

Points out health hazards in some art materials, which may pollute the air, contaminate food and utensils, produce flammable vapors, cause chemical burns or allergic reactions, or damage the eyes. Suggests how these hazards may be compounded in nursing homes or senior citizens' agencies. Lists safety tips. (SJL)

This booklet examines aging, exposing various stereotypes and biases and describing the truth about aging. These topics are discussed: (1) the absence of older adults from printed and aduiovisual materials and the need to ensure that elderly persons be visible in all communications; (2) societal myths that deny older persons their individuality;…