There are at least 14 advantages of aging. Advantages to society of older persons include their lower criminal activity; greater political participation; increasing voluntary organization participation; work abilities; and visual perception abilities. Advantages for the individual include less criminal victimization; fewer accidents; social…

Considers dilemma faced by people who retire and are excluded from society. Discusses ways that society can be more inviting toward its senior citizens. Looks at senior citizenship and the costs of disinvitation. Discusses causes of the disinvitation to senior citizens, argues that seniors should not be disinvited, and offers specific…

To improve well-being of nursing home residents and ensure compliance with the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act, programs aimed at improving quality of life must strive to satisfy higher level needs of the elderly as identified in Maslow's hierarchy. (SK)

Describes the elements of a program in hospice and palliative medicine that may serve as a model of an effective system of physician education. Topics for the palliative-care curriculum include hospice medicine, breaking bad news, pain management, the process of dying, and managing personal stress. (JOW)

The authors argue that there is a clear link between mental and physical health issues. A wellness-based approach to integrated health care, such as the one described in this article, may allow older clients to be empowered to make lifestyle changes that can improve the quality of their lives and reduce physical illness.

There is nothing in American society to prepare women for aging. It has been proposed that the status that the aged hold in any culture diminishes when modernization, an increased number and proportion of elderly, or rapid social change is present. All three of these conditions exist in American society. Women face many dangers, especially as they…

Argues that despite the problems associated with measuring and interpreting old people's appraisals of their housing situation, these subjective indicators provide necessary insights for effective planning and program evaluation. (Author/BL)

Senior centers are the community focal point where older people come together for services and activities that enhance their dignity, encourage their involvement in the community, and support their independence. A gerontological counselor on such a staff has the opportunity to improve the quality of life for a large number of adults. (Author)

Describes the role and responsibilities of advanced-practice nurses in palliative care and nursing's initiative in promoting high-quality care through the educational preparation of these nurses. (JOW)

Older women's economic, social, and personal resources are more vulnerable, which the predominantly leisure-oriented perspective of older adult education does not address. Education for older women should help foster social and political identity, develop economic equity, and negotiate later-life transitions. (SK)

Challenges the pessimistic conclusions of recent studies of longevity and health among the elderly which claim positive trends in prolongation of life have not been matched by extension of healthy life. Examines conceptual issues related to measurement and dynamics of mortality-disability. Uses data from the 1986 Longitudinal Study of Aging to…

Technological products and services can increase independent living by the elderly, improve their quality of life, and reduce care costs. (Author)

Any attempt to discuss psychotherapy with the elderly must be cognizant of the broad spectrum of personality style, life experience, and health status that exists among older adults. This diversity holds true in the specific realm of time perspective as well. Older clients may bring to psychotherapy an active engagement with the present, a…

Reviews and defines continuity of care, or long term care, as a potential economic catastrophe which requires strategic planning. Proposes a Medicare revision that provides integrated funding for acute, sub-acute, and long-term care as elements of continuity of care. (Author/ABB)

Discusses quality-of-life issues for ever-increasing population of American elderly, emphasizing value of recreation. Offers organized camping as way of exposing older adults to enjoyable physical activities. Cites evidence supporting beneficial effects of regular exercise for elderly, beginning at any age. (TES)