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 older adult population in America will significantly increase in the future. Older adults have important needs for recreation and leisure services (Beland, 2002). The author taught a class titled "Leisure Services for Older Adults" for over 24 years at the University of Florida. He has taught gerontology and recreation by teaching about life…

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…

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)

Elementary curriculum about aging should seek to increase children's knowledge about aging, provide opportunities for interaction with older adults in class and community, and permit expression of attitudes about aging. Developing appropriate affective behavior can help modify stereotypes and develop interpersonal skills. (SK)

An innovative gerontology education program was developed to advance research on aging that is interdisciplinary and promotes the translation of knowledge from lab to life. The program focuses on communication and social interaction in healthy aging. It brings together faculty mentors, graduate students, and post-doctoral fellows from six…

Studied the perceptions, expectations, and attitudes toward aging among students of religion and their graduate counterparts by means of structured interviews. Results revealed students had more positive attitudes toward young than old people, relatively low gerontological knowledge, and negative biases toward the aged. (RC)

Traces the emergence of aging education in the public schools. Suggests that as students learn to see the world as a global village, they also can learn about aging and that older people exist both as a national resource and a national problem. Curriculum materials and programs, while scarce, are becoming increasingly available. (Author/JAC)

Evaluated the impact of adding a brief unit on aging to the first-year curriculum of a school of osteopathic medicine. Analyses revealed a mild but significant improvement in knowledge and attitudes with respect to the elderly. Subjective responses to the program were very positive. (Author)

Describes three community-based service-learning activities developed by the George Washington School of Medicine and Health Services. The interdisciplinary program provides field experience for medical and graduate students as well as community medical services for the elderly. Objectives and evaluations of the programs are presented. (Author/JAC)

This article describes a service-learning collaboration between a research center at a graduate school of social work and a community college. While the goal of the collaboration was to conduct a community needs assessment of the older population of Bermuda, the project offered a unique opportunity to connect community service, teaching, and…