Ageing populations are growing everywhere in the world including in Indonesia. The growth of the ageing population has led to policy concerns about how the country's aged population is being cared for and supported, what approaches families and governments could do to meet the needs of the aged and how to encourage the ageing population to…

What should grandparents be expected to learn in longevity societies experiencing rapid social transformation? Grounded theory was initially applied to identify assumptions, goals and curriculum. The Grandparent Strengths and Needs Inventory was developed to record the observations of grandparent attitudes and behaviours as seen by grandparents,…

Purpose: Stigma and lack of access to providers create barriers to mental health treatment for older adults living in the community. In order to address these barriers, we developed and evaluated a peer support intervention for older adults receiving Medicaid services. Design and Methods: Reclaiming Joy is a mental health intervention that pairs…

This description of the volunteer program at the Andrus Gerontology Center at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, suggests that older adults can improve the quality of life for themselves and others by building bridges of understanding between: generations within an organization, paid and unpaid workers, parts of an organization,…

Describes a day-long Aging Awareness workshop in which a group of 12 elderly were involved in a poetry-writing exercise focusing on meaningful life change. Ramifications of this positive experience are discussed in view of the cultural/language barrier and traditional aging awareness issues such as reminiscence. (JAC)

Little attention has been given to the severely handicapped older person. A group of disabled elderly men participating as unpaid volunteers in a bi-weekly sheltered workshop indicated that being able to help others, getting out of the house, and sociability were important reasons for their interest and participation. (Author)

Discusses the need to emphasize the "life-significance" concept in preretirement education and describes various types of programs. Presents results of a survey of retired male managers, indicating how this group dealt with their retirement. Cites various studies and recommends better planning of preretirement programs. (MF)

A special project for aged, hospitalized mental patients, drawing on home economics skills in a team approach to rehabilitation, provides skills training leading to patients' increased capacity for self-care, helps patients transfer from the hospital to some form of community life, and provides follow-up services. (Author/AJ)

Discusses the feasibility of delivering combined health and social services to an elderly population. The social/health maintenance organization (S/HMO), incorporating features of health maintenance organizations with community social services, will be financed on a prepaid, capitated basis through premium contributions from Medicare, Medicaid,…

The Community Care Organization-Milwaukee, sought to provide care at less cost and with higher resultant quality of life than nursing home care. Most frequently used services were transportation and nutrition. Much of the cost savings resulted from reduced hospitalization and nursing home utilization. (Author)

In developing an intergenerational program bringing together preschool children and elderly adults in a retirement home/geriatric center complex, preschool staff had to discard three misconceptions. It was initially supposed that the elderly would like to visit the nursery school. It was assumed that people in the retirement home have nothing to…

Explored number of programs initiated to involve older adults in meaningful volunteer tasks, responsibilities, and roles on university campuses. Data demonstrate the feasibility of these programs and positive outcomes include improvement of intergenerational communication, reduction of ageism, provision of services to educational institutions, and…

This paper describes a Nursing Home Ombudsman Program, developed to provide employment for the "unemployable" older adult, that hired 19 older adults to work 20 hours per week for a year, providng friendly visits to senior residents living in nursing homes and minimum outreach services to community seniors. A two-week, eight-session orientation…

Humanistic gerontology is based on the belief that aging can be a rewarding growth and maturation process. This "humanistic" approach to health care emphasizes preventive education and self-responsibility. Helping professions must respond to the unique needs and potentials of the continually expanding elder population. (Author)

Describes a community college's efforts to develop a range of educational services for the aging. Discusses cultural, educational, and recreational activities provided within a college setting and through a network of neighborhood centers. Explores continuing education and in-service training programs for persons who work with the elderly. (Author)