Derived from Buddhism, mindfulness is a unique approach for understanding human suffering and happiness that has attracted rapidly growing interest among health care professionals. In this article I describe current thinking about the concept of mindfulness and elaborate on why and how mindfulness-based interventions have potential within the…

To meet the special needs of and provide quality health care to nursing home residents, the health care workforce must be knowledgeable about the aging process. Health professionals are minimally prepared in their academic programs to care for older adults, and few programs have required rotations in geriatrics. Teaching nursing homes (TNHs) have…

In absence of authoritative, current, and detailed source of information about videos for teaching gerontology and geriatrics, developed program to screen and evaluate videos. At Video Journal Club, multidisciplinary health professionals view video, complete written evaluation, discuss its strengths and weaknesses, and provide critique to be used…

The Donald W. Reynolds Institute on Aging at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock is addressing one of the most pressing policy issues facing the United States: how to care for the burgeoning number of older adults. In 2001, the Institute created the Arkansas Aging Initiative, which established seven satellite centers on…

Describes a hospital-based multidisciplinary team designed to assess and respond to cases of suspected abuse or neglect of elders from both institutional and community settings. Presence of the team has increased the hospital staff's awareness of elder abuse and neglect, as well as their willingness to refer suspected cases for further assessment.…

Describes the Southeast-Bayview Mental Health Center Geriatric Services Unit, which provides a comprehensive mental health program for the elderly of San Francisco. The program emphasis is on crisis intervention, with reliance on home visits and follow-up services as well as screening and referral. (JAC)

Describes program in which satellite clinics in three apartment buildings for seniors and disabled adults bring primary health care services to individuals. Explains how clinical nurse specialist, social worker, and physician work as team to help clients remain functional and independent, and how health education programs, counseling, and staff…

Describes a health education program at a life care community, based on Knowles' theory of androgyny. The program significantly affected participants' health behavior which reduced the effects of aging. Planning guidelines, audiovisual considerations, format, and cost are discussed. (JAC)

Gatekeepers, or nontraditional referral sources, have proven to be an effective means of case finding and outreach for mental health needs of isolated senior citizens. A two-year project administered by county public health department found the gatekeeper concept to be an effective means of case finding in the public health setting. (ABL)

Describes LINC (Living Independently through Neighborhood Cooperation), which formed intergenerational helping networks in which the elderly served as donors as well as service recipients. The project's evaluation indicated that frail older persons received services, acted as volunteers, developed friendships, and increased life satisfaction. (JAC)

Describes the intergenerational Adults' Health and Developmental Program. A survey conducted at the end of the AHDP found that over 80 percent of the sample perceived improvement in personal health, well-being, body image, physical efficiency, intellectual stimulation, and staff-member intimacy. Results are discussed in terms of ongoing sequential…

The use of interventions claiming to prevent, retard, or reverse aging is proliferating. Some of these interventions can seriously harm older persons and aging baby boomers who consume them. Others that are merely ineffective may divert patients from participating in beneficial regimens and also cause them economic harm. "Free market…

Presents Project Adapt, a psychogeriatric rehabilitation service developed to integrate assessment, behavior and medication management, and outcome evaluation to meet needs of mentally ill in nursing homes. Notes that mental health staff perceived significantly more improvement among participating nursing home residents than among those not…

A program was designed to extend experience of residents and medical students rotating through Family Practice Center in the care of older patients. This educational experience was based on a group of representative geriatric cases at a nursing home and included paramedical personnel in service and educational elements. (Author)

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)