Interpretations of aging in film parallel concepts and theories in gerontology. This article examines gerontological themes, such as wisdom and guidance roles, in this popular film. The ubiquity of aging motifs in popular film offers gerontology a significant opportunity for public education. (JPS)

Discusses the roles of Lebanese health care systems and the American University of Beirut. Notes that morbidity burdens of geriatric populations can overwhelm health infrastructures already unable to meet prevention and treatment needs of a younger population with relatively low-cost, easy-to-prevent, easy-to-treat illnesses. Expresses Lebanon's…

In-depth interviews were used to investigate how life is experienced by persons at age 85 (N=129) and again at 92 (N=41). Seven patterns of adjustment ranging from self-realization to withdrawal emerged, and heterogeneity remained at follow-up with some changes in the characteristics of the categories and in coping strategies. (Author/EMK)

Understanding how an informed diagnosis is comprehended by the client becomes essential when evaluating persons with suspected dementia. A phenomenological-hermeneutic analysis of interviews with persons (N=8) evaluated clinically for suspected dementia revealed that clinical diagnosis provided participants some means of "making sense"…

Elders newly relocated to a nursing home (N=256) were followed for five years using a Solomon Four research design. Life review was shown to be more effective than a friendly visit for preventing despair and promoting integrity immediately and at one-year follow-up. Additional measures are discussed. (Author/EMK)

In this study, researchers surveyed 94 recent retirees. Results supported previous studies which categorized retirement into four modes of experience: (1) Transition to Old Age; (2) New Beginning; (3) Continuation; and (4) Imposed Disruption. Striking gender differences emerged among those surveyed, particularly the finding that, compared to men,…

Uses qualitative methods to examine the similarities and differences in the meaning of aging for young and older adults. Results show that younger adults associate aging with major events in their lives and perceive aging negatively. By contrast, older adults associate aging with everyday events and they perceive aging positively. (Author/GCP)

This study examines elderly (60+ years) residents of a community dominated by multistory homes and apartments with stairs. Although stairs presented problems for a substantial minority of residents, most occupants expressed satisfaction with their homes. However, a majority of residents, when questioned further, desired stair-free living in a next…

This article addresses the international community's differing attitudes on mandatory retirement. The authors explored various factors, such as sociodemographics and political ideology and the latter's predictive value for attitudes on compulsory retirement. Education proved the strongest sociodemographic predictor. Most Americans opposed mandated…

Researchers examined claims that those who follow a healthy lifestyle will live mostly free of disabling diseases and injuries up until the end of life. Results affirmed this theory with the strongest support coming from alive and deceased men. The authors also detected an inverse correlation between education level and degree of disability. (RJM)

Researchers surveyed 213 caregivers to test the influence of personality traits on negative outcomes of caregiving. High scores on a measure of neuroticism indicated increased levels of burden and health complaints both at initial and follow-up assessments. Personality traits and other variables remained consistent over time for caregivers…

A new construct of meaninglessness as a psychological dimension of everyday life is presented. Four theoretically based components of the construct were expressed in the self and life descriptions of 95% of 153 Dutch independently-living aged adults. Content analysis was used; components and explanations are discussed. (Author/EMK)

Analyzes the impact of recent economic changes accompanying the introduction of the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) and ongoing cultural styles on the aged in Nigeria. Compared to younger generations, the relative position of the elderly has not changed significantly, although the latter's position has deteriorated on dimensions such as…