Differences in life outlook and self-perceived health often attributed to age differences among the elderly were found to be more accurately explained by education. The young-old (62-74 years) and the old-old (75 years and older) were compared among 495 elderly in two rural counties in western Arkansas during 1977. The respondents had a median…

Results are given of a study of samples of retirees in Wisconsin, Florida, and Arizona. Respondents were compared on (1) background characteristics, (2) occupational and financial status, (3) health condition, (4) formal and informal organizational participation, and (5) retirement decision making. An attempt was made to determine the extent to…

Age differences in attitudes toward aging were investigated as a function of three-hour training program with 322 women (18-74 years) from various geriatric health care and social service contexts. Results indicated few instances of unfavorable attitudes toward aging in any age group. (Author)

This study compared two methods of computer instruction for older adults. Elder Computer Instruction was systematically designed and developed according to criteria established by both theory and research in andragogy. This instructional design took into consideration identified cognitive and physical changes that accompany the aging process.…

Certain historical aspects of the biology of elderly people may be obscure to the medical observer and must be incorporated in medical case histories. History forms from 10 facilities and interview techniques were evaluated. Results from the Boston study show medical education is incomplete in this area. (Author/MSE)

Reports two cross-sectional studies assessing the influence of age on the use of 28 coping mechanisms. Results showed older people coped similiarly to younger people, and where they employed different mechanisms it was because of different types of stress. Middle-aged and older people used less hostile and escapist reactions. (Author/RC)

Examines the variety of impacts associated with the demographic shift of older Americans to predominately rural areas. Presents a conceptual model of the rural retirement community. Model includes the general impact of demographic, psychosocial, and community factors that contribute to older persons' satisfaction and adjustment when migrating.…

Studied the responses of children aged four to seven to photographs of older adults. Results indicated age discrimination was highly accurate by age six. Most expressed positive views of activities shared with grandparents but identified older adults in general as sad, lonely, and not busy. (Author/JAC)

Separate predictions for educational attainment were made for the young-old (65-74 years) and the old-old (over 75 years) males and females. Results indicated that educational attainment for the young-old in year 2001 will equal that achieved by the 25- to 64-year-old group in 1971. Examines limitations and consequences of intelligence assessment.…

Results showed no significant difference in the morale scores of older rural adults living with children (N=97) and those in other arrangements (N=243) when health was controlled. However, more than twice as much variance in morale scores could be explained for parents in child-shared housing as for other parents. (Author)

Describes a diversified approach to delivering home care to vulnerable older people. This pilot program, funded by the Massachusetts Department of Elder Affairs, attempted to reduce the demand for scarce homemaker services. Results suggest homecare diversification did not alter consumer satisfaction but increased manager time. (Author/JAC)

Examines public support for benefits to older persons. Results indicated the priority given to benefits for older persons when compared with other tax uses is high, but the relationship between comparative and general support is low. Suggests it may be difficult for advocacy groups to expand current benefits. (Author/JAC)

Describes a geriatric wellness program in which social work practitioners played a major role. Compared results of a telephone screening test to detect depression with the clinical judgment of social workers. The screening instrument proved effective in assessing a population with a high rate of major depression. (RJM)

Recently, the regression extension of latent class analysis (RLCA) model has received much attention in the field of medical research. The basic RLCA model summarizes shared features of measured multiple indicators as an underlying categorical variable and incorporates the covariate information in modeling both latent class membership and multiple…

Purpose: We estimated the effect of a voucher benefit on the demand for personal assistance by Medicare beneficiaries aged 65 years or older who had functional disabilities. Design and Methods: We performed a secondary data analysis on 645 Medicare beneficiaries from the Medicare Primary and Consumer-Directed Care Demonstration (a randomized…