Interviews with older prisoners at a major state penitentiary were conducted to better understand the impact of social arrangements on aging. Normal aging does not take place in the prison setting. Chronological age does not possess much salience for prisoners, and some effects of environmental stress on appearance are mitigated. (Author)

A fully recursive path model heuristically depicting a causative chain between financial situation, health satisfaction, satisfaction with standard of living, satisfaction with family life, and satisfaction with life as a whole was examined. The model was shown to be an effective predictor of satisfaction with life for each sex. (Author)

The design of housing for the elderly should, insofar as possible, take into account their needs and preferences. Direct solicitation of potential users' views was facilitated by use of slide shows, illustrating specific design alternatives, shown to small groups of the elderly, with concurrent discussion and "voting." (Author)

Ten older adults were involved in a photography activity once a week for six weeks, while five older adults were controls. Using pre- and post-program semantic differentials, it was found that the photography activity was associated with significant increases in positive attitudes. (Author)

A retirement index can be used by an individual or group to determine the most desirable time to retire from a particular employment or from employment in general. (Author)

This paper suggests that there is a tremendous need for additional research regarding black grandparent and childhood socialization. (Author)

A Program Review Unit was established at the Philadelphia Area Agency on Aging and an evaluation model was developed during the first year of operation. The single most important attribute for a successful program review activity is the availability of measurable program goal statements. (Author)

Literature on relocation of the aged is examined and findings are presented within a framework of three types of moves--institution to institution, home to institution, and home to home--with each type having a voluntary and involuntary component. A theoretical model is proposed to explain contradictory results reported. (Author)

Young (N=18) and older (N=18) adults participated in a vocabulary task involving varying degrees of risk with a payoff structure that varied either directly or inversely with risk. In contrast to prior research using constant payoff structures, results did not indicate that older adults are more cautious than young adults. (Author)

Discusses how and why older persons with developmental disabilities have emerged as special category. Discussion makes reference to social systems theory, reviews social systems theory, and presents basic systemic tenets. Uses these tenets to examine historical development of social gerontology and present trends in service delivery system.…

Examined by in-depth interviews lived experience of aging in 32 community dwelling adults aged 50 to 80. Identified 5 categories of coping activities. Findings suggest that individuals who believe they are coping successfully see aging as positive life experience, despite acknowledgment of negative changes in themselves and people close to them.…

Includes "The Foibles and Follies of Gerontological Imperialists" (Johnson); "The Time for Accreditation Has Come" (Connelly); "Professionals in the Field of Aging Should Be Credentialed" (Peterson); and "A Reaction to the Debate" (Lubben). (JOW)

Students preparing for rural gerontology practice must be aware of the following issues: diversity of rural areas, influx of urbanites, slow acceptance of human services, need to learn local language and culture, and lack of separation between professional and personal roles. Most important is the fact that, in rural areas, authority is based on…

Five women and 2 men aged 68-84 formed a Seniors' Advisory Committee to suggest ways of enhancing gerontological content in an undergraduate nursing program. They reviewed courses, advised faculty, recruited other older adults, and participated in courses and seminars. (SK)

Israeli older adults (n=361) completed the Worry Scale and the Facts on Aging Quiz. Those with higher educational attainment and those who were better informed about aging had lower worry scores. (SK)