A Federal mandate to provide comprehensive care for the aged population in this country has stimulated program planning in gerontology by mental health professionals. Introduction of the geriatric nurse practitioner into the mental health care system is viewed as one means of attempting to increase both the availability and quality of primary…

This paper discusses some issues and challenges faced by the Boston University Gerontology Center in providing consultation and technical assistance to community agencies serving older adults. They are: community expectation vs. center capacity to deliver, time constraints vs. agency time demands, agency standards vs. University standards, program…

Successful management of the elderly patient is related in part to how effectively he and members of the health care team can communicate with each other. If comprehension and/or expressive abilities are impaired, as they frequently are in the geriatric population, then efficient patient management becomes difficult. Unfortunately, this difficulty…

Passage of landmark legislation in the form of the Older American Act initiated a broad program of research and training in the area of adult development and aging and social gerontology. Various types of model programs emerged around the country. One type is the State-recognized consortium (University of Michigan and Wayne State University) while…

This paper presents a theoretical and clinical account of a psychotherapeutic approach to the aged. The approach is called "competent coping" therapy. It is oriented to helping older adults acquire and practice better adaptive strategies in handling problem situations. The author notes that unlike most work with older adults which is based largely…

Techniques have been developed for research and teaching purposes on the sensory losses that accompany the aging process. By experiencing the sensory loss, those working with the aged understand how the environment and professional interaction can assist, support, and enhance coping and functioning by the older person. (Author)

Examines some of the difficulties encountered when elderly married couples apply for admission to an institution. (HMV)

This paper describes the observations and experiences of a graduate student employed as a nurse's aide in a home for the aged. The difficulties encountered in attempting to apply traditional psychological methodology are discussed, and detailed anecdotal reports on individual cases are presented. (GO)

Describes two approaches used to define and develop faculty practice in a teaching nursing home. Problems include role conflicts, communication gaps, and differences between faculty and nursing staff goals. Benefits include availability of new nursing care services and increased opportunities for conducting clinical research. (Author/ABB)

Describes trial use of milieu and activity-based therapy in two adult day centers to increase client involvement in physical and social environments of treatment settings. Reports results from empirical observations and recommends further investigation of this treatment modality in settings for the elderly. (Author/NRB)

A study of recent dental school graduates' attitudes toward the elderly suggests that those attitudes may have little to do with formal dental curriculum elements in geriatric dentistry, and that newly trained professionals' attitudes do not differ greatly from those of professionals trained before geriatric dental curriculum was widespread. (MSE)

Results of a survey of geriatric dentistry specialists concerning the competencies required of geriatric dentists and the relative importance of those skills in five settings (dental school, general practice residency, prosthodontic specialty programs, geriatric fellowship programs, and continuing education) are reported. (MSE)

A comparison of the effectiveness of a multimedia instructional module and traditional lecture format, using the pretest-posttest control group experiment design, found the two to be equally effective in teaching content in geriatric pharmacy. (MSE)

The curriculum design, philosophy, and innovation of four programs in geriatric optometry are described: the Pennsylvania College of Optometry and the colleges of Optometry at the State University of New York, University of Alabama at Birmingham, and University of Houston. (MSE)

Reports on the results of a systematic assessment of the interpersonal difficulties encountered by in-home service providers serving the frail elderly. Presents a typology of problematic interpersonal situations, along with suggestions for training, assessment, and supervision of clients and workers. (JAC)