A survey of counselor education training programs and test publishers indicates that some training in assessment with older persons is being done, although available instruments are limited. (Author)

The media reinforce negative stereotypes and encourage the belief that Americans abuse and neglect their aging parents. Current research does not support these stereotypes. But public education about aging and the relationships among older adults and their children is needed. (Author/SK)

A National Institute on Aging-funded pilot project to study advice-giving by older adult mothers to their middle-aged daughters was undertaken in a medium-sized teaching-intensive university. The student body and community are highly diverse, and many undergraduates are first-generation college students. In this context, undergraduate psychology…

Investigated the effects of a guidance unit about older persons upon 90 elementary school children in two schools. The experimental unit proved effective for both boys and girls, suggesting that perceptions of children about the aging process and the elderly can be positively changed. (Author/JAC)

The relatively recent emergence of a large, healthy group of adults over 65 years of age has created a social demographic situation for which there are no historical precedents. The author argues that education should play a more active role in providing preretirement educational programs for older adults. (SSH)

Interviews were conducted with home-bound elders who had participated in a three-month, college-based life histories project involving mentoring-reminiscence--reminiscing while occupying the role of mentor to a college student. Ten out of 12 reported that the process was enjoyable, and 4 reported significant improvements in self-image. (JPS)

Past research and educational efforts in gerontological nursing have revealed that nursing care of the older person has received a low priority by practicing nurses and nursing students. To measure registered nurses' changes in knowledge about aging, nine registered nurses (mean age, 30.7 years, mean number of years nursing experience, 6.9)…

The assessment of the changes in knowledge about aging is essential to the development of aging courses and curricula. The present instrument was designed to reliably and validly measure various areas of information about aging. An item pool was gathered by examining texts and printed materials and consulting with persons specializing in…

Survey results indicate that (1) older adults have limited knowledge about the impact of aging on interpersonal communication and communication disorders and (2) they show little interest in the topics. Implications for communications educators are discussed. (PD)

Studied whether middle-aged adults' attitudes toward the aged could be changed through specially designed educational experiences. The adults' attitudes toward older persons changed significantly in a positive direction following the workshop experience, while those in the control group decreased. It was concluded the workshop had a significant…

Negative attitudes and stereotypic behaviors directed at the elderly were decreased among 49 seventh- and eighth-grade gifted students who participated in an intergenerational practicum in which student conducted reminscence interviews with elderly persons about significant events in their lives and learned about issues facing the aged. (CB)

Administered an adapted version of Palmore's Facts on Aging Quiz to university students between 1983 and 1985. Obtained some gender differences in beliefs about aging. Results indicated that overall, college students had a positive perspective on old age, but were persuaded by traditional myths. (Author/BH)

With time, an increasing number in the world population is becoming old, and changes in the aging brain mean that a significant proportion of the aged are likely to be dependent on others. The devotion of resources to research into the aging brain could bring benefits far outweighing the investment. (Author/CW)

Purpose: This study examined medical students' interest in geriatrics: Are knowledge, positive attitudes, and prior experience with older adults associated with an interest in geriatric medicine? Design and Methods: Entering University of Michigan medical students completed three surveys: the Revised Facts on Aging Quiz, the University of…

Examined factual knowledge, as well as attitudes toward the elderly, relationships with academic achievement, experience, and cognitive styles. Baccalaureate nursing students scored significantly higher on the Facts on Aging Quiz than Palmore's (1977) sample of undergraduates. Accuracy on the quiz was associated with grade point average but not…