Most of the nine older adults in learning-in-retirement institutes at universities developed strong feelings of loyalty to their school. Loyalty derived from their perception of the value received from participating. Various actions higher education institutions can take to serve older adults were identified. (SK)

The number of elderly expected to live into the next century calls for creative inclusion of this population in learning experiences for student nurses. Retirement communities offer a rich environment for interaction and learning and encourage students to consider the limitless possibilities for nursing interventions with the elderly. (Author/JOW)

Training counselors to work with the elderly may well be an untapped area in counselor education. The author investigates the lack of preparation for counseling senior citizens in the counselor education curriculum. (Author/HMV)

The first University of the Third Age (U3A) in Poland was established in 1975; there are now 15. U3As are considered instruments of dissemination of science and knowledge for older people. Lectures are very popular. (SK)

A light exercise program was set up for 11 patients with Alzheimer's disease who exercised each day for 40 minutes. Their sleep patterns were compared with a control group who did not exercise. Results indicate that those who participated in the exercise program manifested 40% less restless behavior, while those in the non-exercise group showed a…

In this study we focus on a new program in Cuba, university studies for older adults or seniors. Specifically, we look at the Special Municipality of the Isla de la Juventud (Isle of Youth) in the context of the larger policy of "universalization of higher education." We provide information about Cuban perspectives on adult education,…

Thirty-two sources in gerontology, located at the University of Rhode Island Library, are listed in this annotated bibliography as well as some interdisciplinary sources. This bibliography contains material published as recently as 1996 and includes annotations of an "Older Americans Almanac," bibliographies, a biographical dictionary,…

Many Americans engage in voluntary activities and many of these volunteers traditionally have been college students and older adults. A functional approach to volunteerism suggests that similar acts of volunteerism may actually reflect very different personal, social, and psychological functions for different volunteers. This study examined the…

Notes that presbycusis, hearing loss associated with aging, may be marked by a second dimension of hearing loss, a loss in vocalic sensitivity. Reports on the development of the Vocalic Sensitivity Test, which controls for the verbal elements in speech while also allowing for the vocalics to exercise their normal metacommunicative function of…

Universities of the Third Age are developing the research facet of their mission. In this model, the senior citizen is both the object and the agent of research, being involved in action research that transforms their subjective impressions and intuitions into objective knowledge with which to transform their environment. (Author/SK)

Explored significance of grandparents to 142 college student grandchildren. Grandchildren reported infrequent current interactions with grandparents, although they did perceive their grandparents, especially grandmothers, as influential in their value development. Grandchildren reported stronger relationships with grandmothers than with…

Examined patronization of young adults by older adults. Young adults were provided with single vignette of short conversation between older and younger person. Eight versions of vignette were devised independently varying elder's age and speech style (neutral versus nonlistening versus disapproving versus parental). Patronizing elders were…

A survey of 151 undergraduate nursing students and 41 registered nurses in Sweden found that those who were under 25, male, or had limited prior experience caring for older people had less favorable attitudes toward the elderly. First-year students were more negative than third-year students. No differences among nurses in different practice…

Samples 100 prime-time shows, finding that only 2.8% of the adult speaking characters were over 65, and only 8.8% of them were cast in major roles. Notes that the role prominence of characters 65 and older has decreased since the 1970s. (SR)

Gerontological counseling has a 20-year history that began with a dearth of information and has progressed to the development of preparation standards and a national certification. The question of whether generalization or a specialization will best serve the needs of older persons continues to be central to the development of this specialization.…