This "Futures" column shares insights about men's learning beyond work, based on several decades of research in men's learning in international community contexts. The article focuses' particularly on men who want and need to learn to re-create and broaden their identities beyond their working lives. This practice, well established in…

Despite evidence of the benefits of learning for well-being across diverse groups, little is known about older men's experiences of learning, the factors that influence whether they choose to engage in learning activities and what role learning plays in their lives as they grow older. The present study examines the attitudes and learning…

Despite the importance of and advocacy for developing literacy skills for successful and rewarding participation in the community, there remains a common perception that becoming literate is not possible for people with intellectual disabilities. Until recently, limited research has been undertaken to investigate the literacy skills of adults with…

Previous findings on older adults' awareness of community support services (CSSs) have been inconsistent and marred by acquiescence or over-claiming bias. To address this issue, this study used a series of 12 vignettes to describe common situations faced by older adults for which CSSs might be appropriate. In telephone interviews, 1,152 adults…

A study of 162 community-based organizations that assist older adults or people with intellectual disabilities in Brisbane, Australia, investigated the types of programs offered to older adults with intellectual disabilities. Results indicate that there were no programs offered that provided special services for older adults with intellectual…

Minority college graduates were placed in internships in three types of agencies: planning/coordination, established providers, and grassroots. Interns engaged in outreach to minority communities, service to groups underserved because of language problems, and efforts to increase services for minority seniors. The project effectively channeled…

Why do some clients use institutional services, while others, with comparable impairment, use community-based services? Results indicated that the institutional group was more likely to have had previous service contact, to have less support from family members or friends, and to be more impaired. (Author)

This paper discusses some issues and challenges faced by the Boston University Gerontology Center in providing consultation and technical assistance to community agencies serving older adults. They are: community expectation vs. center capacity to deliver, time constraints vs. agency time demands, agency standards vs. University standards, program…

The Retired Senior Volunteer Program was established to help older Americans avail themselves of opportunities for voluntary service in their communities. Aspects of the program covered in this report include: administration, financing, program development, organization, Standards, recruitment, training and supervision of volunteers, resource…

This special project, manned by volunteers, aimed at seeking out and serving "homebound elderly" among whom 22 desired such intervention. College students, middle-aged and older adults were involved in conducting weekly visits. Although no special effort was made to recruit young volunteers for this project, it is suggested that such assignments…

The report helps to define problems and delineate available and needed services for older residents of the DuPage County area. The report contains a summary of Senator Charles H. Percy's keynote address, a brief discussion of a slide presentation, and a summary of an address, "Understanding the Older Adult", by Dr. Bernice Neugarten, University of…

Development of the senior center concept in Tennessee is described, with the goal of a multiple network of centers for statewide delivery of services. Includes training older adults as program leaders, preparing a senior resources directory, activities of many community organizations, and program funding arrangements. (MF)

The process called deinstitutionalization, whether of the elderly or mentally disabled, involves complex issues, not the least of which are economic, physical, social, and psychological costs; any attempt to further this process perforce needs a comprehensive, specific plan suited to community needs and to those who are to be served. A workable…

Describes the Career Guidance Center at Thornton Community College (IL) and its cooperative relationship with the South Central Suburban Council on Aging, in providing options for the older job seeker through Operation TASK, Project Reentry, and Work Experience programs. (AYC)

This booklet gives detailed accounts of mental health programs in operation around the nation. A total of nine different types of activities is included. "Helping Children" describes a program whereby students from nearby colleges give troubled children, at home, an experience in friendship by serving as big brothers or sisters. "Helping the…