A pilot study is described in which four- to five-hour tape-recorded interviews were conducted with 11 homosexual women and men, 60-77 years of age. Areas examined included: physical change and physical health; work, retirement and leisure time; social behavior; psychological functioning; sexual behavior; and personal perspectives on the life…

The results from this study indicate that ready-to-wear garments do not accommodate the clothing needs of elderly women; garments do not allow for increased trunk girth, decreased height, or physical impairments. (Author)

Voluntary and nonvoluntary retirees were compared to determine individual factors that led to a voluntary or nonvoluntary decision to retire and impact of that decision on retirement attitudes and satisfaction. Health status and preretirement feelings about retirement were more significant predictors of retirement attitudes and satisfaction than…

This paper explores some social, situational, and personal factors associated with remarriage in old age, and focuses on role changes associated with remarriage. The findings were obtained through in-depth interviews with 24 remarried elderly couples. Remarriage is seen as a viable option in old age, deserving attention and encouragement. (Author)

This study is an attempt to provide new data for long-term care planning, which will identify the variables that govern the institutional or community placement of the functionally disabled elderly. (Author)

A study of intellectual and creative achievers in two periods of significant intellectual and creative achievement, 18th century Scotland and 15th century Florence, found that one of the most significant variables was longevity. Achievement was more or less continuous over the whole life span. (Author)

Palmore's "Facts on Aging Quiz" is reconsidered in light of the results of over 500 administrations to health workers and health occupation students. An analysis of the data gathered suggests that the quiz has utility for three of the four purposes suggested by its creator. (Author)

The performance of 60 elderly volunteers on two cancellation tasks was examined under one of three experimental conditions: social praise, social reproof, or no comment. The clear implications from these data are that social incentives may well facilitate behavioral change in the aged. (Author)

Examines three theoretical perspectives relative to prediction of life satisfaction following retirement. Hypotheses derived from crisis, continuity, and consistency theories were examined with regard to pre- and post-retirement satisfaction scores of 114 male respondents. In general, expectational disconfirmations relative to retirement did not…

This study of 106 elderly Central Missourians examines religious behavior as an indication of "disengagement." It is argued that religiosity must be measured in both organizational forms such as attending religious services and the more subjective nonorganizational forms including prayer and listening to religious services. (Author)

Elderly adults (N=72) were presented a concept problem which varied as a function of type of solution shift and stimulus materials. Both trials to criterion and postshift error patterns were analyzed. Results indicated stimulus materials affected postshift performance and the elderly do respond in a dimensional fashion under some circumstances.…

Respondents (N=532) over a wide age range rated their own lives and an "average person's life" at each of eight age intervals. Ratings varied significantly by age of target and of respondent and were increasingly differentiated as a function of both the age level being evaluated and the respondent's age. (Author)

The NCOA-Harris survey suggests new directions for research on the social aspects of aging, that their sample of older persons is representative of the American older population, and that social gerontologists need to pay more attention to the cumulation of knowledge in the field. (Author)

A mobile home park serving senior citizens in a large urban area was studied in anthropological perspective. The community study method permits an analysis of this park as an intermediate type of senior citizen residence. The park avoids the worst features of senior citizen life but engenders other problems. (Author)

Examines the relationship between the preretirement life-style of adult men, and both the degree of planning for the retirement years and the decision to retire early. Socioeconomic status, health, involvement in expressive-type organizations, job satisfaction, and degree of leisure orientation were associated with preretirement attitudes. (Author)