The aim of this study is to examine what learning capabilities and ways of learning may be possible for women in their third age. The study addresses cognitive aspects of real-life learning of older women who are experienced learners. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 19 women aged between 60 and 81 who hold either a PhD or a MA.…

A consideration of how reading may change in retirement and old age, demonstrated in relation to five books by women.

This case study describes an art therapy intervention with a client diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease who was coping with grief. The course of fifteen sessions included three phases: body awareness, grief emotions, and grief acceptance. The positive changes parallel ways that art therapy can benefit older adults by promoting communication,…

Background: The world population is aging rapidly. However, no study exists that examines specifically the effect of sleep time on memory among the middle-aged and elderly. Purpose: This paper examines the effect of sleep time on memory for the middle-aged and elderly. Methods: Data from the "China Health and Retirement Longitudinal…

For a number of years, Rebecca Luce-Kapler and Dennis Sumara have been investigating the ways in which literary practices of close reading can help change how we think and how we remember. They have also considered how such practices might help make us more critical of normative representations of remembered experience. More recently, they have…

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays a regulatory role in neuronal differentiation and synaptic plasticity and has been linked to glucose regulation and cognition. Associations among plasma BDNF, cognition, and insulin function were explored. Forty-one participants with impaired insulin function (IIF), ranging from insulin resistance to…

This autoethnography deals with the reflexive nature of conducting ethnography with an elderly woman in an assisted living facility. As the interview progresses, the author, graduate student, and participant are united in a shared memory that transcends the research process. This tale is provided as a means to demonstrate the multilevel horizons…

This paper presents a comprehensive group intervention for older adults with cognitive complaints. It offers psychoeducation about cognitive aging and contextual factors, focuses on skills and compensatory behavior, and incorporates group discussion. The intervention reduced negative emotional reactions towards cognitive functioning in a…

Examined use of themes in reminiscence therapy groups for older women. Themes used in protocols for three research studies were analyzed. Results revealed that, for one of the three studies, the female participants' (n=67) most-discussed themes were favorite holiday, first pet, and first job. (Author/NB)

Problems in insuring informed consent may be of greater significance for elderly adults with low levels of vocabulary and education. To protect the rights of these elderly individuals it may be necessary to use tests for comprehension before participation in research investigations. (Author)

Examines the effects of adult age on response interference with organized recall with adults 20-80 years old. Results are discussed in terms of several explanations of response interference both with discrete recall of single items and with organized recall. (Author/ED)

Twelve women (mean age 90) in a nursing home listened to Golden Age radio programs and answered trivia questions. Reactions to musical programs showed they encouraged reminiscence; trivia stimulated recall of historical and life events. In contrast, comedy programs evoked little response. (SK)

Relates gender roles, role loss, and memory. Proposes that, without meaningful present roles to frame one's past experience, memory is likely to be characterized by a high frequency of nonintegrated, relatively meaningless relationships, in turn leading to a narrowing of horizons and inability to take the role of the other. (Author/ABB)

Reliabilities for immediate recall of females, aged 71-93 years, on subtests were adequate; those for delayed recall were less adequate; and those for percentage-retained scores were unacceptable. Recommended the development of an alternative form of Russell's revised Wechsler Memory Scale. (Author/BEF)

Applied life-span construct model by administering life drawing to 78 older women. Quantitative findings indicated that more positively adjusted women maintained external locus of control, were future oriented, and defined life-span in terms of family. Qualitative data revealed that women who described their lives in positive terms were those who…