This document uses family systems constructs to explain the onset and maintenance of clinical symptoms such as depression and their relation to life cycle issues among the elderly. The basic assumptions of family systems thinking about structure and function are summarized. Figures and tables are used to illustrate changing family circumstances…

Fifteen recommended steps of an approach useful for identifying and serving the total needs of older Americans within their communities are delineated. Three broad types of need criteria discussed are normative need, felt need, and prior receipt of service need. The approach is illustrated by actual data from a 1976 study in Cleveland, Ohio.…

As the supply of White, male new workers decreases, companies must recruit employees from the ranks of females, minorities, retired workers, and perhaps immigrants. Each of these groups has certain needs that employers or government must address to entice them into the labor force. (CH)

Field-tested public/private collaborative model geropsychiatric nursing home. Found planning and implementation to be difficult due to interdepartmental strain within public sector and changes in ownership and administrative policy within private sector. Considers ways to reduce barriers. (Author/NB)

Describes targeting policies of four Social Health Maintenance Organization sites which deliver integrated, prepaid, acute, and chronic care to Medicare beneficiaries. Analyzes complexities of operationalizing targeting systems in four different settings. Notes that selection criteria for targeting expanded benefits and their implementation affect…

A survey by the Consortium on Financing Higher Education of retirement programs at 36 higher education institutions is described. It was discovered that most institutions have not done much systematic planning and did not know what retirement-related programs cost them. (MLW)

Suggests that since the population of older persons is growing, psychologists must be trained to serve as consultants for the development of health and social services, social security plans, housing, and other programs. (Author/AOS)

Cognitively impaired elderly are often cared for by their families, but little clinical intervention has been aimed at helping families to cope with behavior problems. Families may benefit from learning behavior management strategies successfully utilized with institutionalized elderly. Several case examples are discussed. (Author/RC)

Reviews the prevalence, negative health implications, and clinical management of geriatric anxiety. Proposes an interactive model of geriatric anxiety whereby physical disease and anxiety processes enter into reciprocal stimulation as a function of diminished capacity to withstand stress and hypervigilance of stress symptomatology. Outlines…

Professionals (N=228) were interviewed about their case experiences with neglect and abuse of the elderly. It was suggested that environmental contexts and situational problems trigger such behavior, and that the behavior is primarily based on flawed development of the perpetrator and disordered family relationships. (Author)

Integrates the traditional activity theory explanation of adjustment to aging with the aged subculture theory advanced by Rose. A path model to data from two subsamples of older adults. Self-conception is shown to be an important intervening variable between social activity and life satisfaction. (Author)

Elaborates on the relative deprivation model proposed by Liang and Fairchild (1979), and explores the relationship between income and financial satisfaction. Financial satisfaction is influenced by relative deprivation and distributive justice. Race and age also relate to social comparison and financial satisfaction. (Author)

Describes an Elder Craftsman Shop, established by an urban senior citizens center, to provide aged artisans with a sales outlet for handmade goods. Analyzes program resources, pricing systems, and earning patterns of consignors to identify elements which differentiate this quasisocial service from competitive handicraft shops. (Author/JAC)

Describes a model project developed to teach effective coping skills to the aged. Lists objectives of the program workshops and describes approaches to coping with stress due to life transitions. (Author/RC)

Suggests that the older learner, in either formal or informal study programs, benefits by participation in small group guidance sessions that are based on the personal inventory procedure. Two programs of this type were used in credit and noncredit classes with success. (Author)