Thirteen lessons on aging in America, appropriate for the secondary school level, are presented. Each lesson is designed to take approximately one day and includes the goal, objectives, background information, reproducible student handouts, materials and equipment needed, procedures, and evaluation forms. In the first lesson students examine their…

Two empirical studies were conducted in Indiana to ascertain the types of contributions residents of small towns and rural areas feel their community can perform for their subjective well being and to determine the degree to which these contributions are comparable among elderly and younger rural and urban residents. An "individual level…

A national survey gathered information from 47 states concerning small-scale community living options of 15 or fewer placements for older individuals with mental retardation or developmental disabilities. The survey collected data on long-term funding, support services, mandates and regulations, efforts of interagency task force planning, and…

"School camping," a term used from the 1920's to 1950's to denote camping programs conducted by schools, later became part of the larger outdoor education movement and experienced a boom period in the 1960's and 1970's, when it came to be called "resident outdoor education." Outdoor education teaches outdoor-related facts,…

The beginning phases of a preretirement program at San Jose State University, California, are described. The program, initiated through the interdisciplinary gerontology program, entailed group discussions and individual followup and counseling when appropriate. Discussion topics were housing, legal matters, leisure and volunteer work, health, and…

Papers on library services to ethnic and linguistic minorities which were presented at the 1985 International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA) conference include: (1) "On Serving the Older Polyglot: The Role of the Public Libraries in the United States" (Sylva N. Manoogian, United States); (2) "Minority Language Selection and Acquisition…

The Quality of Life Project at Eastfield College (Texas), a set of campus and community activities designed to promote involvement in influencing the campus and community environments, is described by three people who were involved in its development and activities: Kathryn Berry, Coordinator of Student Services at Eastfield; Eleanor Ott,…

Curriculum planning can be improved by obtaining a clearer insight into the specific needs and interests of young people. Studies using the critical incident technique were made of the education and subsequent careers of a representative national sample of individuals. The purpose was to assess the quality of life of individuals in three age…

A research study was conducted to explore if and how cultural elements operate to facilitate or inhibit the meeting of needs that constitute successful adaptation to old age among Japanese Americans. Anthropological techniques of participant-observation, informal and structured interviews, and a survey were used as research methods. Formal…

In a study using qualitative and quantitative indicators to measure adjustment to retirement, it was proposed that people come to understand who they are in relation to the other social objects in their environment, including other persons. The study sample was comprised of 12 retired and 12 nonretired persons, all within about 18 months of their…

A study examined older adult participation in continuing education to determine if there are significant differences in the characteristics and participation motivations between older adults who enroll in age-integrated programs and those who participate in age-segregated programs. Questionnaires consisting of a program participant's survey…

Educators, administrators, and service personnel who work with the developmentally disabled must define the aged developmentally disabled population. The term "developmental disability" refers to an individual with substantial developmental problems manifested during the first 22 years of life. Those who became disabled after age 22 are classified…

This study assessed the nature of response bias in a two-stage data-collection design (telephone interviews followed by a questionnaire mailing), which was used to examine the effectiveness of a state-level pharmaceutical assistance program for the elderly. Demographic and health factors affecting response (N=1,705 elderly persons) are discussed.…

A study was conducted to determine if audience-tailored videotapes and the format of follow-up discussions can change audience attitudes. Sixth-grade students in Taiwan were given a survey on their attitudes toward elderly people. Scripts for videotapes were written based on the data obtained from the survey. Children found to have a negative…

Validity and reliability data are presented for two instruments for assessing the predispositions that people have toward the use of assistive and educational technologies. The two instruments, the Assistive Technology Device Predisposition Assessment (ATDPA) and the Educational Technology Predisposition Assessment (ETPA), are self-report…