Benefit Alert was designed to help the low-income aged of Philadelphia take advantage of material benefits they were entitled to under existing state and federal legislation. An implicit goal of the project was to test a governmental agency's ability to be an advocate for the poor. (Author)

There is a growing need for men and women to prepare for a significant period of living after they leave the work force. This article describes a seminar approach using group processes to aid preretirees and retirees. (EJT)

Describes a program aimed at adult children of aged parents who are in conflict about whether to institutionalize their aged and/or ill parents. A series of six family life education classes enabled group members to share anxieties and concerns with one another, while learning more about institutional services. (Author/PC)

Describes a hypothetical program called the Helper Bank, which uses time instead of money as the medium of exchange for services. The reciprocal relationship allows older persons to volunteer to help others as well as provide for future needs such as shopping, transportation or housekeeping. (JAC)

Two concepts--"Smother Love" and "Tough Love"--were used successfully in a training program for senior citizens preparing to become companions to hospital patients. This dependent versus interdependent framework enables the helpers to establish constructive relationships with patients. (SJL)

Elderly people in institutions frequently become isolated and noncommunicative. By using behavioral measurements of group workers and group members, the authors have formulated ways of treatment that encourage members to participate more actively. (Author)

This article describes the attempt to develop an explicit technique for group problem-solving which can be tested in real situations presented by clients. Older adults were used as subjects for the six-session workshop. Satisfactory results were reported. (Author/BP)