Reviews family support to the elderly in America. The seven articles discuss stress factors affecting caregivers, helping behavior of adult children, racial and cohort variables, the family as a support resource in nursing home care, and improving helping skills. (JAC)

A three-component geriatric-gerontology program developed at the University of Utah is described that consists of a lecture course, clinical clerkships, and a gerontology certificate program. This multidisciplinary approach enables students to gain a broad perspective in the complex health care of the elderly. (Author/MLW)

After arguing that treatment programs for the elderly need to be evaluated with better research designs, the authors illustrate how interrupted time series analysis can be used to evaluate programs for the elderly when random assignment to experimental and control groups is not possible. (Author)

A four-week geriatric rotation in a nursing home that emphasized rehabilitation for stroke victims, patients with fractured hips, and amputees, and the team approach in care for the elderly is described. Student response was very positive, student sensitivity was improved, and all students felt the team approach could be applied to later practice.…

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

A pilot program at the University of California, Davis, that incorporated skilled nursing facility training into the required curriculum of their primary care internal medicine residency is described. The goal was to increase the residents' knowledge in the care of geriatric patients. (MLW)

Although there is some geriatric content in optometry curriculum, such as pathology and diseases associated with aging, the emphasis would be better placed on aging as a normal process. Further education about the elderly population as a whole and further legislation for comprehensive care are needed. (MSE)

Pharmacists (N=233) responded to the question "What is the most difficult aspect of geriatric pharmacy practice?" Most commonly cited problems were (1) inadequate professional skills or knowledge in geriatrics; (2) patient compliance; (3) physician functioning (including overprescribing of medications); (4) communication with the elderly; (5) lack…

Suggests geriatric foster care is among the least restrictive alternatives to institutional placement. Outlines the basic prototype principles, including broadly defined client population, maximum accessibility in referral sources, flexible use of existing local services, and uniform statewide quality guidelines. Discusses indicators of success…

The origin of the responsibility of pharmacy schools to provide continuing education for pharmacists is examined. Characteristics of pharmacists as learners are identified in order to formulate the learning opportunities. Resources needed by schools to develop learning alternatives and strategies for meeting pharmacist needs are also discussed.…

Examines the current status of self-care and self-help as they relate to health, and explores their potential in enhancing the health of the elderly. It is based on a review of the literature, and reports from self-care conferences and interviews with individuals interested and active in the field. (Author)

A program undertaken to assess the feasibility of incorporating gerontology and geriatrics into the first- and second-year curriculum at a family medicine-oriented medical school is described, and student reactions are discussed. It is recommended that the teaching of gerontology and geriatrics begin the first year. (Author/MLW)

Cost effectiveness of the program cannot be accurately determined. Assessment is based on actual self-care rather than proving poverty. A flexible approach is taken toward disability level and family support. States should keep community care flexible and available at acceptable cost. (JAC)