Residents (N = 142) of a southeastern, upscale retirement community completed measures of wellness, perceived stress, and mattering. Participants scored higher than did a group of adults under age 60 on 4 of 5 second-order wellness factors and Total Wellness, with medium to large effect sizes. Implications for counselors are discussed. (Contains 2…

Gerontological counseling has a 20-year history that began with a dearth of information and has progressed to the development of preparation standards and a national certification. The question of whether generalization or a specialization will best serve the needs of older persons continues to be central to the development of this specialization.…

Women (N = 224) between 35 and 65 years old participated in a study that examined the relationship among chronological age, subjective age, wellness, and life satisfaction. Women whose subjective age was less than or equal to their chronological age reported greater wellness; total wellness was a significant predictor of life satisfaction.…

A survey of counselor education training programs and test publishers indicates that some training in assessment with older persons is being done, although available instruments are limited. (Author)

Surveyed 237 counselor preparation program departments. Identified current trends in preparation of counselors to work with older persons. Examined specialty course work in gerontological counseling and the extent to which gerontological counseling content and issues were incorporated into existing required and elective counselor preparation…

Gerontological counseling as a counseling specialty spans only 20 years. This text incorporates into its framework the 16 Minimum Essential Competencies of gerontological counseling that have been developed over the past two decades. These competencies focus on the knowledge and skills required to be an effective counselor for older persons and…

The cycle of social breakdown, self-perpetuating stages of negative adjustment among older persons, can be halted by empowering people through prevention and wellness and by changing attitudes of the culture, care providers, and decision makers toward aging. (SK)

Negative attitudes of children toward older persons are well documented, as is influence of teachers on children's attitudes. Surveyed state departments of education to determine curriculum content related to adult development and aging in teacher preparation standards. Few states required preparation in adult development and aging for teacher…