Geriatric psychosocial problems are prevalent and significantly affect the physical health and overall well-being of older adults. Geriatrics fellows require psychosocial education, and yet to date, geriatrics fellowship programs have not developed a comprehensive geriatric psychosocial curriculum. Fellowship programs in the New York tristate area…

Derived from Buddhism, mindfulness is a unique approach for understanding human suffering and happiness that has attracted rapidly growing interest among health care professionals. In this article I describe current thinking about the concept of mindfulness and elaborate on why and how mindfulness-based interventions have potential within the…

We considered whether positive and stable self-stereotypes of stigmatized group members can influence functioning (in contrast, stereotype threat theory suggests these influential self-stereotypes are limited to ones that are negative and situational). Specifically, we examined older individuals' positive age stereotypes after a life-threatening…

The effects of physical activity on the human skeleton are examined. Research studies are cited that indicate exercise may be beneficial in maintaining or increasing bone mineral content. Effects of exercise on the prevention or treatment of osteoporosis are uncertain. (DF)

Widows and widowers, grouped by whether their spouse died of short-term or chronic illness, were compared on three criteria of medical adjustment. (Author/EJT)

Evaluated 150 geriatric medical inpatients for psychological dysfunction. Found 27.3 percent of subjects had at least one psychological disorder and 15.3 percent of total sample had a depressive disorder. Comorbid depression was associated with greatest level of psychological distress and dysfunction, and with poorest physical health status.…

Examined the family supports of 167 post-hospitalized older adults as they varied by the relationship of the primary caregiver. The findings indicated that the most comprehensive and unstressful support was provided by a spouse. Family members were available in serial order rather than acting as a shared-functioning unit. (JAC)

This brief speech discusses the correlation between nutrition and health among older adults. Food habits of older people do not always fall in line with their food needs and health condition. Therefore, there is a need to establish nutrition programs to help older adults, as well as others, learn how to regulate their diet. The speaker challenges…

Addresses diversions that prevent professionals in geriatrics from achieving an interdisciplinary focus. Describes a heuristic paradigm that communicates to the client and caregiver the importance of what they are doing. Discusses the importance of extending the teachings of traditional educational gerontology and of empowering clients to fuller…

Presents a bibliography of 405 doctoral dissertations dealing with the biological, behavioral, and social aspects of aging; health, health services, and education. (JAC)

Reviews a set of five studies reevaluating the "myth of relocation trauma" and supporting a no effect conclusion. Fallacies and sources of unreliability are discussed and general issues of relocation research are raised. The second article is a response to the first and defends the assertions made. (JAC)

Social interaction and physical activity are important aspects of health maintenance for the aged. A holistic approach to the care of the elderly in nursing homes would involve a team of professionals who encourage residents to pursue such tasks as adaptation to loss, and maintenance of physical activity to retain function. (JN)

This document contains the 42 reports from mini-conferences held in various nationwide locations prior to the 1981 White House Conference on Aging. Each report presents an overview of the topic, descriptions of particular problems, and statements of recommendations, based on the views of mini-conference participants, and made available to the…

Medical problems of older Americans are described, based on the types of illnesses and their frequency among the elderly. Those 65 years of age and older are defined as elderly, placing 20 million of the 203 million Americans in this category (1970 census). The major causes of chronic conditions in the elderly and the percent of those 65-74 years…

This Federal Council on Aging report contains recommendations for a national policy regarding services for the frail elderly and describes the principles on which the recommendations are based. Recommended core services are discussed and characteristics and statistics relating to the frail elderly are identified. The report describes existing…