Several conventional approaches to conceptualization and the measurement of objectives in publicly funded, long-term home care for the non-institutionalized elderly are reviewed critically. The formulation of objectives which focus on immediate, desired consequences of services, and lend themselves to behavioral measurement, is proposed. The…

This document reports the findings of a study conducted for the Texas legislature to use in evaluating alternatives for dealing with elder abuse. The described study analyzed experiences with elder abuse of 1,653 Texas professionals in the fields of health and medicine, the judiciary, financial services, law enforcement, and social services. The…

This report provides information on: (1) demographic changes in the elderly population; (2) the relationship of these changes to the retirement income status of the elderly and expenditures for acute health care and long-term care services; and (3) the extent to which potential changes to federal programs could affect the needs of the elderly. The…

The older population in the United States grew twice as fast as the rest of the population in the last 20 years. This growth is expected to accelerate early in the next century as the large baby-boom cohorts move through middle age and become elderly. Substantial improvements in life expectancy at all ages, particularly at extreme old age, mean…

Physical and social loss which accompany aging are often believed to promote dependency upon family, social services, and health care providers. Clinicians frequently complain about dependent clients and patients who leave the clinician feeling worn out, or worse, burned out. Very few publications have defined or addressed this problem identified…

The ethical primacy of patient involvement in treatment decision-making requires that more attention be paid to assessment of a patient's competency to make treatment decisions. Makes recommendations to increase sensitivity to this issue with significantly impaired elderly nursing home patients and to improve existing decision-making procedures.…

The author states that caring for elderly relatives is being added to women's traditional roles of wife, mother, and homemaker, as well as their new role as worker. She cites trends, including the aging of the population, and problems, including loss of worker productivity. Model corporate solutions are presented. (CH)

The author identifies and describes eight issues relevant to retirement preparation programs that can be used for program planning or setting criteria for program selection. (CH)

Vocational assessment instruments currently in use are often threatening or frustrating to older adults. Instruments that account for the physical, emotional, and occupational needs of this population are necessary. (CH)

The author discusses the growing need to keep older workers in the labor force and the need for vocational education to address this population's need for retraining. He presents some of the problems and recommendations for older adult training programs. (CH)

Describes the problems of elderly immigrants, especially those from Southern and Eastern Europe who now reside in northern cities. Presents and discusses recommendations for increasing ethnic and cultural sensitivity in government programs, enhancing mediating structures (e.g. ethnic organizations, social service centers, clinics) and…

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…

Explores the utility of Bandura's self-efficacy theory for studying older adults' behavioral competencies in college. Expectations of personal efficacy are viewed as mediating mechanisms for predicting the initiation and persistence of educationally relevant behaviors. Theoretical issues related to the assessment of self-efficacy and performance…

A stress model was developed to explore the impact of role loss upon the lives of the elderly. Cumulative data was used to test the model separately for men and women. Results indicated that role loss does have an indirect and direct effect on coping resources and life satisfaction. (Author)

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)