This publication contains abstracts from the 53rd annual meeting of the Gerontological Society of America. The abstracts are arranged numerically by the session number in which they appear. Several abstracts are listed under each of the 388 sessions. Although the sessions are not limited to one topic, the dominant theme is education concerning all…

Surveyed young adults (N=74) on attitudes toward aging and perceptions of parental health. Ratings of relatively unfavorable parental health were associated with greater anxiety toward personal and peers' aging. No association was evident with general attitudes toward the elderly. Sex and self-ratings of health also were predictors of attitudes.…

Presents an overview of the most distinctive psychological theories of aging promulgated after World War II. Groups theoretical developments into three periods: (1) Classical Period, which includes developmental tasks/activity theory; (2) Modern Period, which includes theories on life-span development and aging; and (3) New Period, represented by…

This article discusses the relevance of fitness programing for an aging population and provides parameters for a geriatric fitness program. Emphasized are physical activity as a preventive measure against age-related illness and management of a geriatric fitness program. (IAH)

Summarizes recommendations of a subcommittee of the American Geriatrics Society's Education Committee concerning core competencies for physicians caring for older patients. Competencies are organized into those concerned with attitudes, knowledge (basic science and clinical), and skills. (DB)

Describes Gays and Lesbians Older and Wiser (GLOW), a support group sponsored by a geriatric medical clinic in the midwestern United States. Scheduling, professional involvement, and special attention to social support seem critical for the group's success. Concludes that carefully designed support groups can meet some support needs for this older…

This paper focuses on three issues: (1) gender seems to structure life chances so that women and men end up with quite different fates in later life; (2) maintaining a sense of adequate masculinity seems to remain very important to men until the end of life, and most women also seem to need to experience themselves as feminine, but are less…

These proceedings from the second conference on the Epidemiology of Aging sponsored by the National Institutes of Health indicate the direction of recent research and concern in this area. Attempts are made to formulate a definition of aging other than that of chronological age. A number of biomedical correlates of aging are addressed, including…

Suggests alternatives to the medical education model for teaching geriatrics. Proposes geriatric learning that shows interdisciplinary care, stresses wellness over illness, and demonstrates examples of care, support, independence, and limited maintenance away from nursing homes and hospitals. (Author/ABB)

Extends the available information base on intellectural aging by collecting self-report data from 100 psychologists between 45 and 64 years of age. Subjects rated changes in intellectual functions, related present changes with past expectations, and answered questions about health problems affecting intellectual functioning. The importance of…

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)

In order to meet the pharmaceutical health care needs of the elderly, pharmacy schools must better prepare students. A course developed by the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy and the Health Sciences Consortium to provide pharmacy schools with a model for developing and revising other courses is described. (MLW)

Offers the insights of leaders in the fields of social work and aging regarding the profound economic, political, and moral implications of projected societal changes. Notes the trend toward economic inequality for future elders. Predicts the baby boom generation will bring about major policy changes and redefine aging in search of meaning in what…

Discusses the contours of population aging, especially the baby boom generation, and the political and economic changes in regard to the rapidly aging U.S. population. Focuses on entitlements such as social security and Medicare. Seeks to broaden national discourse on the aging of the baby boom cohorts through basic questions and clarification of…