The underlying goal of design proposals for local (public) authority homes for old people--minimizing residents' dependence on staff--is outlines, as are physical features of institutional accommodation held to counter fulfillment of the goal. How these issues and the related goal of independence have influenced design proposals is described.…

This article describes the evaluation of a workshop series for the aging in Central and Southwestern Virginia. The selection of participants for the workshops, evaluation instrumentation, and outcomes are discussed. (Author)

This article describes and evaluates a friendly visiting program set up by a college in connection with a hospital for older adults. Attitudinal changes of college students toward the aged are discussed. (Author/HLM)

Restoration of a major social role to institutionalized aged through a program of social interaction and socialization with adult mentally retarded is described and evaluated. The over-all findings encourage this innovative opportunity for institutionalized aged. (Author)

Experimental efforts to carry out a program of neighborhood one-to-one volunteer activity by urban low-income black elderly were unsuccessful. An alternate program of volunteering for group activities emerged. Environmental perils, limited professional supports, and volunteer characteristics were seen as accounting for the changed focus. (Author)