With rising longevity, increasing numbers of older people are experiencing changes in their everyday family and social life, changes in their financial status, and a greater number of chronic conditions affecting their health. We took the opportunity to explore these relationships with worry in a group of volunteer community-living elderly (n =…

Investigated self-sufficiency in older widows (n=300). Found ability of widows to accomplish traditional female tasks was related to health, education, age, and work history, whereas for male tasks it was related to income, living alone, and work history. Concludes society that overvalues independence may unwittingly create pressure on elderly to…

Introduces special journal issue devoted to social and cultural diversity among adults aged 85 years old and older. Notes that four articles come from San Francisco 85+ Study and briefly describes the study itself as longitudinal study of community-dwelling older adults. Discusses revisions in four assumptions in the study of the oldest-old.…

Analyzed data from San Francisco 85+ Study to examine gender differences in stressors faced in later life by 150 white men and women. Majority of subjects were women, high proportion of whom were unmarried, living alone, functionally impaired, and had reduced financial resources. Men had fewer decrements, were more independent, and exercised more…

Analyzed data from San Francisco 85+ Study, longitudinal study of community-dwelling older adults, to make comparisons between whites (n=150) and African Americans (n=122). Found that African Americans were significantly more disadvantaged than whites in socioeconomic status. African Americans perceived their health as poorer than whites but were…

Analyzed data from San Francisco 85+ Study, longitudinal study of community-dwelling older adults, to examine family relationships of white oldest-old (n=150). Found that only one-half had relatives available to them if they needed help. Primary family resources were children, especially for women. Respondents appeared to be passive and…

Used data from Georgia Centenarian Study to examine differences between rural (n=18) and urban (n=66) centenarians across physical health, activities of daily living, mental health, and life satisfaction. Found higher levels of morale in rural residents and higher levels of functional health in urban elders. Findings demonstrated absence of robust…

Notes that Denmark and Sweden have achieved reduction in institutionalization of elderly individuals by increasing home care and housing with services and adaptation. Describes innovative model of nursing home care in Denmark--a self-care model that fosters independent living and decision making as long as possible. (Author/NB)

Studied adaptive choice behavior of older, independently living persons faced with complications in their houses. The goal was to gain insight into the coping process and its outcome--in terms of assimilative vs. accommodative strategies--and in the role of three determinants on this process. Determinants were perceived self efficacy, importance…