This booklet describes the lessons learned in introducing a computer system in a nursing home. It is suggested that a computer system can open up channels of communication, increase accountability, reduce time spent on paperwork, satisfy the information needs of regulators, and improve resident care planning. Criteria for selecting a computer…

This two-volume set containing guidelines and a handbook is intended for persons monitoring the quality of community residences for retarded individuals. The guidelines document begins with a monitoring review worksheet which elicits information in the following categories: human, civil, and legal rights; environment; use of community resources;…

The history of an urban squatter settlement in Bogota, Colombia, and the author's experiences with its residents in the last ten years are summarized. Topics covered include the unfriendly relationship between the government and squatter settlements; the history of the relationship between the government and this particular barrio; the demography…

While some people have difficulty adjusting to retirement, others seem to adjust easily. The search for theory to explain the source of positive retirement may require research methods to develop theory rather than to test theory. Grounded theory methodology was used to determine the characteristics and sources of characteristics of adults who had…

This Technical Committee Report begins by citing function as the key factor in the committee's view of quality of life and by examining four elements upon which function depends, i.e., satisfaction of basic physical needs, choice, freedom from undue stress, and the lack of a direct correlation between affluence and quality of life. Key issues and…

In their attempts to further the adoption of productivity increasing ideas and practices by third world peasants, diffusion researchers have paid insufficient attention to the factors acting as constraints to their efforts. An examination of one of these constraints, the lack of an equitable system for delivering knowledge and skills to rural…

This guide, designed to help people improve the quality of their leisure time, suggests alternative activities which may involve risk or change and may be used by individuals, families, teachers, and treatment personnel. The format is a collection of experiences that people have enjoyed and that make them feel relaxed, refreshed, and good about…

This second volume of the final report of the 1981 White House Conference on Aging presents a historical overview of the Conference, tracing its history from its inception as a joint resolution in Congress in 1979 through the nationwide preparatory activities, to its culmination with the gathering of delegates and observers in late November of…

Recent reports indicate that a significant number of college-age women suffer from bulimarexia. To investigate the success of experiential-insight, behaviorally-oriented therapy groups in helping college students cope with eating disorders, 26 students (25 females, 1 male) participated in 1 to 10 weekly therapy sessions. The groups, which were…

Designed to assist the House Select Committee on Aging in determining how technology can be utilized to improve the quality of life for the older population both now and in the future, this hearing was convened for five specific reasons: (1) to identify applications of technology for the benefit of older persons and mechanisms for their…

Since objective data on the effectiveness of self-help groups are not available, participants' views of a program's value are instructive. A study was undertaken to contrast participants' (N=232) evaluations of their self-help meetings with independent observers' (N=11) evaluations and to describe the components of their respective views in terms…

The primary objectives of this research are to define intimacy more distinctly (including what constitutes greater depth or higher levels of intimacy); to explore the changes across adult life; and most importantly, to assess the respective degree of association intimacy has with adaptation to life stress. A series of studies were undertaken to…

Research in 37 neighborhoods in Flint, Michigan, investigated the association between the extent of racial integration in a neighborhood and residents' satisfaction with, awareness of, and attitudes toward various aspects of neighborhood and community life. The influence of demographic factors was also examined. The degree of neighborhood…

Following several "quality of life" models and a model of schooling, researchers developed a "quality of school life" model with four dimensions, including general satisfaction, positive affect, negative affect, and domains specific to education. The domains relate to students' personal experiences regarding particular school…

In order to appraise the quality of life (Q.O.L.) in American cities, the fifty largest American cities were examined according to twenty-six socioeconomic variables. These variables were arranged under seven headings: housing, crime, education, health, social disorganization, economic status, and amenities. The results of this study, when…