The concept of "successful aging" has become widely accepted in gerontology, yet continues to have no common underlying definition. Researchers have increasingly looked to older individuals for their lay definitions of successful aging. The present analysis is based on responses to five questionnaires administered to surviving…

Generativity is a concept first introduced by Erik Erikson as a part of his psychosocial theory which outlines eight stages of development in the human life. Generativity versus stagnation is the main developmental concern of middle adulthood; however, generativity is also recognized as an important theme in the lives of older adults. Building on…

The rapid aging of the workforce in most developed countries, and the strengthening presence of bridge employment among older employees, has brought about a need for a deeper theoretical and practical understanding of this employment phenomenon. This study examined the concept of bridge employment from a continuity theory and life course…

This qualitative study provides a comprehensive account of the social and life experiences and strategies and personality attributes that characterize exceptional longevity (living to 100 or over). It is based on nine semi-structured interviews of relatively healthy and functional Greek centenarians of both sexes. The analytic approach was…

The study aimed at making a theory-driven inventory of end-of-life preferences. Participants were asked about a variety of preferences representing all eight motivational states described in Apter's Metamotivational Theory (AMT; Apter, 2001). Data from a convenience sample of 965 community participants and a convenience sample of 81 persons…

The concept of "successful aging" is a contested discourse in gerontology. Two conflicting paradigms dominate the discussion: a health promotion activity model, and a model critical of the concept of successful aging. However, this study takes a different perspective and proposes that perhaps we have been striving for the wrong goal. The true…

The present research examined the effects of intrinsic and extrinsic goal attainment on older adults' ego-integrity, psychological well-being, and death attitudes. Hypotheses were derived from Self-Determination Theory (SDT; Deci & Ryan, 2000; Vansteenkiste, Ryan, & Deci, in press). Study 1 (N = 202, Mean age = 68.2 years) indicated that, after…

This ethnographic study of "goal displacement" in an adult day care center explains how and why certain goals come to surpass others in the organizational practices of elder day care settings. Adult day care is often oriented towards providing family caregivers with respite rather than attempting to directly improve the lives of the elders…

The current study evaluated barriers to detection of depression among older people. Focus groups were conducted with 21 professional carers, 4 nurses, 10 general practitioners, and 7 aged care managers. The results demonstrated that care for older people is primarily focused on physical care. Further, staff resources, a lack of continuity of care,…

This article presents a bibliography on education for older adults. (JEL)

Summarizes key points about continuity and change in gerontology described in four previous articles. Focuses on transformation of basic themes over time; gerontology's identity crisis; social ideology of gerontology; evolution and refinement of gerontological ideas and methods; and temporal frameworks. Raises questions about unsolved issues and…

Uses as vehicle the history of "Speculative Excursions into the Everyday Lives of Old People" sessions at Gerontological Society of America's Annual Scientific Meetings to present semiserious discussion of place of humor in gerontology. Describes purposes of sessions, reactions of colleagues, rejections of papers, and hopes and future prospects of…

The concepts of career and status passage reflect an imagery of humans capable of exercising choice and negotiating their way through life. Later life is seen as a unique status passage in that it is inevitable, irreversible, and does not lead to any subsequent status. Controlling the passage therefore assumes great importance. (Author)

Looks at theorizing in gerontology as career-related activity engaged in by scholars who are prone to same demographic imperatives as other human beings as way of shedding more light on many uses of theory. Uses concept of theoretical generations as means of accounting for succession of models and explanatory frameworks. (Author/NB)

Focuses on continuity in evolution of scientific knowledge about aging. Taking 25-year perspective, uses selected research questions and priorities in biomedical, behavioral, and social domains of aging to exemplify continuity of gerontological knowledge base. Notes considerable evidence of continuity, despite influences of changing cohorts of…