Purpose of the study: We conducted a qualitative study of 38 mid-late life volunteers in intensive humanitarian service to ascertain the challenges, personal changes, and benefits they experienced from their volunteer activities. Intensive volunteering was defined as service done on a 24-hr a day basis at a location away from home. Design and…

Purpose: Adults aging with HIV/AIDS can experience resilience in spite of the deleterious affects of the disease. This study seeks to examine the lived experiences of older adults with HIV/AIDS as it relates to strengths and resilience in dealing with this devastating disease. Design and methods: Semistructured in-depth interviews were conducted…

Purpose: Making choices about everyday activities is a normal event for many adults. However, when an adult moves into an assisted living (AL) community, making choices becomes complicated by perceived needs and community practices. This study examines the relationship between choice and need in the context of practices, using medication…

Examined how successfully an environmental simulation technique could provide older people with a working knowledge of an unknown building. Compared three groups of participants: site visit (n=20); simulation (n=20); and control (n=20). Found simulation comparable to site visits in instilling confidence in way-finding ability, providing a mental…

Age, education, income, and satisfaction with decisions made were the significant variables in perceiving life events as positive or negative, while action taking was strongly associated with well-being in old age. (Author)

Examined the impact of relocation on the health of chronic care patients (N=45). Results showed relocation had no effect on 13 of 18 health measures. Positive effects were noted among patients who were relatively young, had good morale, and were satisfied with their new surroundings. (JAC)

Compared African-American (n=33) and white (n=119) family caregivers of dementia patients on adaptation, adjustment, and utilization of support services. Found African-American and white caregivers differed most notably on marital and financial/insurance status, but there were few differences in adaptation to dementia responsibilities.…

Examined how strategies to manage dementia problems in 152 older people were associated with adjustment of family members while providing assistance to relative. Identified three dementia management strategies (criticism, encouragement, and active management) that were associated with three indices of family members' emotional adjustment (burden,…

Analysis of religious activities and attitudes in a longitudinal panel of 272 community residents showed there were several significant and substantial correlations between religion and happiness, feelings of usefulness, and adjustment; these correlations also tended to be stronger for older persons and tended to increase over time. (Author)

This study examines the perceived disruptive influence of a natural disaster on the individual, primary relational, and neighborhood ties of community residents. Results suggest the coping potential of the aged surpasses that of their younger counterparts. (Author)

A study of the effects of the Teton Dam Disaster in 1976 suggests that elderly persons cope quite well with disaster situations and tend to report fewer adverse emotional effects and feelings of relative deprivation than younger victims. (Author)

Used linear mixed-effects model to study adaptation in a longitudinal nursing home study with different numbers of repeated measurements for each individual because of discharges, transfers, and mortality. Examined individual patterns of change in adaptation to living in nursing home and identified factors that may affect those patterns of change.…

Adaptation to the retirement process by male sociologists and psychologists was studied for the age period 60-75 in the group of men who held academic positions in departments of psychology or sociology for at least 15 years immediately before the age of 60. Men were grouped into three publication levels. (Author)

Life histories and daily routines of women over the age of 55 living in Seattle single room occupant (SRO) hotels were studied using observational and interviewing methods. Residence in SRO's appears to be part of a natural life history progression for these women rather than a result of social pathology. (Author)

Describes how older people arrive at a decision to move and identifies some of the correlates of successful adjustment to relocation. Findings suggest that while the stress of moving should not be underestimated, neither should the resilience of the older person to participate in a decision that concerns him. (Author)