The magazine of the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) often relies on problematic rhetorics that privilege youth-centered ideals and create limited representations of older adults' literacy in digital times. These rhetorics rest on a metaphor of repair, which labels aging adults as primarily bodies in need of fixing or protection. In…

This paper offers a commentary on the articles in the special series on cognitive behavior therapy with older adults (Carmin, 2012-this issue), noting the commonalities found across discussions of diagnostic interviewing and cognitive-behavioral assessment and treatment for late-life insomnia, depression and suicide risk, PTSD, and OCD. These case…

Since the early 1980s, service providers and area agencies on aging, that is, the aging network, have developed a number of strengths as they built a community-based long-term-care system in most states. Many area agencies and providers now have the capacity to assess the needs of older persons, identify appropriate services, and administer…

Senator Edward M. Kennedy responds to questions concerning health care issues, his goals related to them, and his view of the role of allied health professionals in addressing these issues. (JOW)

Discusses the importance of medical self-care, what people do to recognize, prevent, treat, and manage their own health problems. Specifically looks at the benefits of self-care for older adults. (JOW)

Focuses on alternative self-care practices in terms of collaboration with the primary care physician and individual exploration of self-care practices such as acupuncture, meditation, and nutrition counseling. (JOW)

Improvements in the care of older people depend upon basic and clinical research findings that lead to greater independence and health maintenance. Conversely, research depends upon care, since care-related priorities influence society's support for research. More leaders in the field of aging are needed with personal experience in both care and…

Many studies examining health service utilization by older adults involve secondary analyses of existing data sources and rely on behavioral model of health services utilization. Suggests that severe shortcomings in breadth and depth of available data, and numbers of intervals at which data have been recorded, limit understanding of health…

The authors argue that there is a clear link between mental and physical health issues. A wellness-based approach to integrated health care, such as the one described in this article, may allow older clients to be empowered to make lifestyle changes that can improve the quality of their lives and reduce physical illness.

Contends that generally accepted criteria for screening asymptomatic individuals are not appropriate for the elderly due to the prevalence of symptoms and chronic problems in the elderly and the importance of tertiary prevention. Proposes evaluation criteria that reflect the goals of screening elderly individuals. (Author/ABB)

Notes that health maintenance organizations (HMOs) provide large volume of health care services to older Americans. Contends that HMOs must reexamine general practice of equating utilization of services with health care need and collect better population-based information, including measures of health status. Discusses data elements widely…

Discusses the need for a multidisciplinary approach to the treatment of older persons because the elderly are likely to have a combination of social, psychological, and medical problems when they become ill. Discusses the role of the psychiatrist in light of his/her training, practice, and outlook. (Author/ABL)

Planning and research related to long-term care for American Indian elderly population lag behind state-of-the-art. Indian Health Service, major health care provider for this population, has resisted developing services specific to older tribal members. Innovative efforts have, however, emerged at local level. (Author/NB)

Health care providers may encroach on individual autonomy of older persons, especially those they define as at risk. Providers should seek to promote self-care skills, define the client as a group or community, and recognize clients' role in forming healthy public policy. (SK)

Discusses the purpose of adult day care, procedures for providing qualified personnel for adult day care centers, and legislative requirements for nurse aides. (Author)