The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility and benefits (fitness and quality of life) of an 8-week mall-walking program. A total of 52 participants ( n = 39 at post-testing) took part in the pilot project (mean age = 66.4; range 46-83 years), with an overall attendance rate of 62.4 per cent. Participants self-selected pace, time, and…

In North America, 40-50 per cent of older adults are actively involved as formal volunteers in providing diverse health and human services. We review empirical studies concerning older adults' motivations for volunteering, as well as the health and morale benefits they derive from this expression of altruism. Knowledge of the exact nature and…

Recent major life events were identified by 200 adults over 55, who also completed the Hassles Scale and Perceived Well-Being Scale. Findings showed that (1) self-rated health, activity limitation, and frequent hassles were related to physical well-being, and (2) psychological well-being is associated with age, limitations, and frequent hassles.…

Senescence is a time of decline; yet many seniors remain active and engaged into very old age. How and why do some seniors live long and keep well? We report the responses to this question from a representative sample of 2,783 Canadian seniors. Overall, seniors placed primary responsibility for their long lives on their own individual practices,…

Purpose: This study estimates the prevalence of problems with transportation in a sample of community-dwelling seniors residing in an urban setting and investigates the role that gender plays in the ability of seniors to remain mobile in their communities. Design and Methods: Data collected as part of a study assessing the prevalence and…

Using the 2000/2001 Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS), this paper examines the health status of the older (aged 55[thorn]) immigrant population relative to that of non-immigrants in order to identify areas where their health statuses diverge. First, we compare the health status of older immigrants (foreign-born) aged 55 and over in Canada to…

Responses to a Life Events Schedule were obtained from 408 elderly respondents at both phases of an 18-month longitudinal investigation. Answers to the following questions were sought: What are the usual forms of stress that an elderly person may experience within a specified time period? and How are these stress events structurally related?…

Rates of sexual activity have been found to decline over the life course, as individuals experience marital transitions and the loss of partners, health problems, and decreased sexual interest. This article compares and contrasts earlier and later-life sexual experiences and examines the changing meanings that older women ascribe to sexuality over…

In situations where care-receivers cannot respond to questions about their functional status, caregiver proxies are often substituted. Yet studies addressing caregiver-care-receiver agreement remain limited in scope, focusing primarily on cognitive functioning and caregiver relationship. This study broadens the range of research in this area by…

A mail-out survey was used to assess the transportation needs of seniors living in relatively remote rural areas of Saskatchewan. Two types of transportation needs were identified: the need to make local trips at least once a week and the need for transportation to a district center at least once a month. (Author/CT)

Recent studies have established that a healthy immigrant effect operates in Canada--immigrants are generally healthier than Canadian-born persons--but that this effect tends to diminish over time, as the health of immigrants converges to the Canadian norm. Although this effect has been examined by place of birth, language, marital status,…

Describes the development of the Perceived Well-Being Scale (PWB), which allows for separate assessment of psychological and physical well-being. Several studies bearing on the psychometric properties and usefulness of the PWB are presented and the implications of the findings are discussed. (Author/CT)