This paper describes development, implementation, and evaluation strategies of a longitudinal geriatric curriculum, the Senior Mentor Program (SMP). The rationale for exposing undergraduate medical students to healthy, community-dwelling older adults is to use the relationship and activities as vehicles for improving knowledge of aging and…

Recent studies by the Institute of Medicine, part of the National Academy of Sciences, and the Rand Corporation have suggested that most physicians in the United States are inadequately trained to cope with the care of the elderly, in spite of the fact that over 11% of the population is over age 65. At present, nearly 30% of all health care…

This document represents transcripts of a series of workshops presented for the staff of a long-term care facility for aged patients. A specialist in geriatric psychiatry leads the discussions, which cover topics such as the definition of brain syndrome; testing procedures; emotional and behavioral problems; and the optimal environment for the…

The relationships between somatic and sociological-psychological variables are complex. Each mental change which occurs in aging is more or less closely accompanied by somatic changes. The reverse is also true. The objective state of health and the subjective feeling of well-being are linked. Both can exert an influence over behavior and…

The study analyzes physician and hospital utilization patterns of the elderly using 1969 data from the Health Interview Survey conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics to determine why Medicare payments to high income elderly persons are much higher than to low income elderly persons. (Author/BP)

From a study on drug treatment effects on the memory and affective functioning of ambulatory geriatric volunteers, the author recommends several methodological accommodations as necessary and expedient to geriatric assessment. Special procedural attention is required by certain characteristics unique to, or exaggerated among, elderly participants.…

As emphasis on intensive educational training increases, effective gerontological curricula and content planning to assure learner satisfaction are becoming more important. This article considers four key variables related to learner satisfaction, and six guidelines for increased training effectiveness are suggested. (Author)

Courses designed to encourage understanding of the aging process will help today's young people cope with old age. (RC)

Clinical interest in individual psychotherapeutic intervention with the aged mentally ill has gradually risen during the past several decades. However, a broad review of the literature suggests that published descriptions of such interventions have generally been global and vague. (Author)

The Sheltered Care Environment Scale (SCES) measures the social environment of sheltered care settings, as perceived by residents and staff. This instrument was developed and tested in a sample of 40 facilities representing the breadth and variety of currently existing congregate housing for the elderly. (Author)

Matching accuracy and strategy utilization in young, middle-aged, and elderly adults was examined in a series of intramodal, haptic match-to-standard problems. Results indicated that elderly adults were less successful in solving the haptic problems. They also displayed less systematic and logical haptic search strategies. (Author)

It is difficult in a youth-oriented society for older adults to find meaningful activities that will fullfill their need to be respected as contributing members of that society. (JD)

Recent breakthroughs in medicine and psychology bring new hope for curing senility or controlling its ravages. Here are ten methods of reducing or bringing about a complete remission of senility. (Author/RK)