Summarizes recommendations of a subcommittee of the American Geriatrics Society's Education Committee concerning core competencies for physicians caring for older patients. Competencies are organized into those concerned with attitudes, knowledge (basic science and clinical), and skills. (DB)

Describes Gays and Lesbians Older and Wiser (GLOW), a support group sponsored by a geriatric medical clinic in the midwestern United States. Scheduling, professional involvement, and special attention to social support seem critical for the group's success. Concludes that carefully designed support groups can meet some support needs for this older…

This final project report examines how to successfully develop a national approach for the infusion of aging content into the K-12 grade curricula. As the U.S. society is "graying," the students in schools should be exposed to aging information on the increasing responsibilities for the care of aging family members with a realistic view of their…

Schools can help young people be aware of the social, political, and economic consequences of an aging society. This report is part of a six-part series, "Schools in an Aging Society," designed to promote education for, with, and about older adults. The Advanced Generations' Education through the Schools (AGES) is a planning model in…

Negative attitudes and stereotypic behaviors directed at the elderly were decreased among 49 seventh- and eighth-grade gifted students who participated in an intergenerational practicum in which student conducted reminscence interviews with elderly persons about significant events in their lives and learned about issues facing the aged. (CB)

The elderly are projected to make up a quarter of the U.S. population by the year 2025. This teaching kit introduces students to the major issues surrounding the growth of the elderly population. Young people whom older citizens are counting on for care and support are, for the most part, unaware of the impact that this burgeoning older population…

Administered an adapted version of Palmore's Facts on Aging Quiz to university students between 1983 and 1985. Obtained some gender differences in beliefs about aging. Results indicated that overall, college students had a positive perspective on old age, but were persuaded by traditional myths. (Author/BH)

Offers the insights of leaders in the fields of social work and aging regarding the profound economic, political, and moral implications of projected societal changes. Notes the trend toward economic inequality for future elders. Predicts the baby boom generation will bring about major policy changes and redefine aging in search of meaning in what…

Discusses the contours of population aging, especially the baby boom generation, and the political and economic changes in regard to the rapidly aging U.S. population. Focuses on entitlements such as social security and Medicare. Seeks to broaden national discourse on the aging of the baby boom cohorts through basic questions and clarification of…

The Optimal Aging Program (OAP) at the University of Arizona, College of Medicine is a longitudinal mentoring program that pairs students with older adults who are considered to be aging "successfully." This credit-bearing elective was initially established in 2001 through a grant from the John A. Hartford Foundation, and aims to expand…

An analysis of policy implementation by the Geriatric Education Centers (GEC) program is presented, using a model developed by Sabatier and Mazmanian (1980). A policy by the Bureau of Health Professions to expand education and training efforts in geriatrics and gerontology led to the creation of four GECs in 1983. By 1989, 38 centers had been…

The paper discusses some of the available curricula on the aging, their goals, their shared characteristics, and some outcomes of the curricula. Appearing in several formats for grades K-12 classroom use and including texts, videos, and workbooks, the curricula are presented as activities that may be integrated with other prescribed content. Each…

Noting that early children's literature plays a major role in the development of children's attitudes, this annotated bibliography lists early children's literature which contains positive portrayals of older adults. The books selected portray aging as a natural and lifelong process of growing and developing; present similarities between young and…

The educational needs of elderly people (those over 60 years) around the world are examined in this paper. First, brief attention is given to the changing demographic structure in various regions of the world, and emphasis is placed on the dramatic increases in the proportion of elderly in the world's population. Particular references are made to…

Learning activities on the topic of aging which were developed and field tested by K-6 teachers in the public schools of Acton, Massachusetts, are provided. They are designed to overcome many of the myths that children hold about aging and to help them develop a more realistic and positive view of their own future as people who will grow old. The…