Multiple pathology, a common phenomenon among elderly, fosters the practice of multiple drug therapy, which is particularly hazardous for this age grouping. The total drug exposure of two typical elderly persons, one institutionalized and one living at home, were analyzed. Potentially harmful drug interactions were discerned in both cases. (Author)

The purpose was to investigate effects of fatigue on intelligence test performance in the elderly. Fatigue effects were investigated by varying number of previous tests, by introducing breaks, and by using a pre-test fatigue-producing condition. The elderly are not as susceptible to test fatigue as previous results suggested. (Author)

Health educators can aid older consumers by integrating consumer services into other program offerings. (RC)

Describes a brief nine-item interview, designed for use by practitioners. Based upon results from field-testing with 65 ambulatory geriatric patients, the instrument can be used as an aid to assess health and treatment perceptions in clinical settings. Responses to specific items may also suggest broader areas for follow-up discussion. (JAC)

Discusses the trend toward affiliation of nursing homes with educational programs as clinical teaching institutions for medical, nursing, and allied health students. Reviews potential ethical and legal issues for the nursing home administrator, professional staff member, educator, and student, including informed consent, supervisory…

Surveyed discharge planners at 49 acute care hospitals to ascertain problems they perceived in placing elderly patients. Selected hospital characteristics and placement practices and the ways in which they are associated with hospital back-up (sometimes called administratively necessary days) and delays in placement were analyzed. (Author/JAC)

Describes the accomplishments of elderly Jews residing at the Toronto Baycrest Centre, a multilevel geriatric facility, who formed a memoir activity group which eventually led to publication of their memoirs. The value of the activity for the group and for other groups of older persons in general is discussed. (JAC)

A presentation is made of the techniques used in four community-based support groups for elderly persons experiencing moderate stress as a result of the aging process. Results indicated that the majority of clients experienced decreased anxiety, became more effective in problem solving, and began to make use of community resources. (Author)

Serial rote learning was examined as a function of sex, verbal ability, and stimulus presentation rate among 64 individuals aged 60-79 years. At the fast pacing speed, the men with average verbal skills produced fewer responses and performed less well than their female counterparts. (Author)

A statewide project in South Dakota has screened the vision of 2,578 elderly persons in 90 nursing homes, finding 13 percent legally blind and referring 32 percent for services either from agencies for the blind or from physicians or optometrists. (KW)

There has been little comment in the hospice literature about the special problems of the elderly. Promotes the continued refinement of hospice concepts and practices in relation to both disease and age. (Author/CMG)

The Physician Assistant (PA) is a new health-care professional who is trained to function as a "physician extender." The author's experience with 71 PA students and graduate PA's at the Jewish Institute for Geriatric Care is described. (Author)

Describes a program involving six children and 15 residents from a home of the aged working together in a common art experience for a five month period. (Author/AM)

Describe four models of incorporating elder-mistreatment curriculum and collaboration with adult protective services into geriatrics medical education. Draws on efforts at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey--Robert Wood Johnson Medical School; the University of California, Irvine College of Medicine; Hennepin County Medical…