Aging and its effects on a person's quality of life are a growing health concern and burden for many Americans. Recently, studies have shown that adopting certain healthy behaviors may help maintain and or prevent age-related health issues such as cognitive decline. However, many people are unaware of these newfound facts. Furthermore, there is…

China's oldest old population is estimated to quadruple by 2050. Yet, poverty rate for the oldest old has been the highest among all age groups in China. This paper investigates the relationship between economic stress, quality of life, and mortality among the oldest-old in China. Both objective economic hardships and perceived economic strain are…

Education about sexuality is one method of reducing common negative stereotypes about this aspect of the life of older people. Knowledge and attitudes toward sexuality are therefore particularly important in those who educate healthcare professionals. We surveyed schools of medicine, nursing, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, psychology, and…

On the basis of the importance of hand manipulation in activities of daily living (ADL), deterioration of hand function because of various factors reduces quality and independence of life of the geriatric population. The aim of this study was to identify age-induced changes in manual function and to quantify the correlations between hand-muscle…

Replicating a survey of 875 people 55 years old or more undertaken in September 1999 throughout the former Northern Interior Health Region (NIHR) of British Columbia, in September 2005 a sample of 656 people completed a 22-page questionnaire. The average age of the respondents was 68, with a range running from 55 to 96 years, and 64% were women.…

Predictor variables examined are self-reported health, income, education, and an activity index. Health and activity emerge as strong predictors of life satisfaction, while income influences life satisfaction indirectly via activity. The importance of investigating direct and indirect effects of variables via path analysis is discussed. (Author)

Surveyed 308 elderly persons to examine how young they feel and why. Results indicated feeling younger than one's age was associated with psychological health even when the effects of several confounding variables were statistically controlled. Purpose in life was the strongest correlate of identified age. (JAC)

The negative stereotype of the aged vanishes when older adults are educated, affluent, and healthy. Anecdotal replies indicated many older adults are satisfied with their lives, do not feel old or useless, and feel activity is the key to happiness. (Author/JAC)

A review of the age identification literature suggests older identifiers to be chronologically older and to perceive their health and morale less positively. Most studies examining other correlates fail to control for age or health. The correlates of age identification are examined in a group of 200 workers, aged 55 and over, who predominantly…

Residents of an age-segregated housing project share their feelings on aging. Most accept their life- style and express a certain amount of fatalism regarding the future. They value autonomy. Services for the elderly must be provided in a way to encourage independence and allow choices. (JAC)

The purpose of this study was to examine how different ways of measuring interaction may affect its relationship with personal adjustment. The number of persons with whom the subject interacted, and the frequency of this interaction, are of little importance for the adjustment of older people. Quality, rather than quantity, of social interaction…

Social endorsement of the classical theory of disengagement which explains the social and psychological withdrawal of older people has resulted in the unhappiness of many Americans. American society must allow older persons to remain actively engaged in meaningful activities throughout their life spans. This article discusses the communication…

The materials contained in these hearings represent the statements of witnesses before one of the Subcommittees of the Committee on Aging of the House of Representatives. Witnesses include members of Congress, persons affiliated with the Administration on Aging and the U.S. Civil Service Commission, representatives of various labor unions, those…

The major purpose of the present study was to examine empirically the independent and interactive effects of the situational event of retirement and cumulative influences attributed to the impact of satisfaction with noted life events upon locus of control (LOC). Ss included males over 55 years who had participated in a national survey. Variables…

These materials represent the testimony given before the Select Committee on Aging of the House of Representatives during February 1979. Statements of the committee members are presented as well as remarks by Louis Harris, nationally known survey researcher, and Kenneth K. Keene, director of a New York consulting firm specializing in employee…