Structured group interaction, through an emphasis on pre-group structuring, didactic presentations, experiential learning, and evaluation, provides a flexible approach to achieving a variety of goals while compensating for many problem characteristics of an aged institutionalized population. Limitations and hazards involved in the approach are…

The authors present three interrelated problems facing correctional administrators in developing healthy employment and career development programs for the adult offender: (a) socioeconomic status of the offender; (b) general failure of typical educational and counseling programs; (c) the criminal label attached to the ex-offender. (Author)

Available from: Sage Publications, Inc., 275 South Beverly Drive, Beverly Hills, California 90212. The effect of a differential reinforcement procedure alone was compared with the use of verbal prompts plus differential reinforcement in reducing deviant social behavior of an institutionalized retarded male (28 years old). (IM)

Described is a vocational habilitation model in which five mentally retarded institutionalized adolescents and adults served as community volunteers within a nonprofit organization. (CL)

Data from the Massachusetts Service Coordination Battery were analyzed for institutionalized (N=406) and community-based (N=124) mentally retarded adults and for institutionalized (N=460) and community-based (N=95) mentally retarded older adults to determine differences in cognitive, medical, and functional impairment; service needs; and…

In two experiments with profoundly retarded institutionalized individuals, 10 severely aggressive, hyperactive young adults were exposed to two daily periods of jogging and strenuous physical activities. Results indicated systematic reductions in problem behavior for eight of the 10 to levels considered "not a problem" or only "an occasional…

Assigned 27 demented elderly nursing home residents to either reminiscence group therapy, supportive group therapy, or a no-treatment control group. Results showed the self-reported level of depression in participants given reminiscence therapy was positively affected compared with participants in the supportive therapy and control groups.…

Describes the experience of a high school student in Swaziland who donated time to accompany institutionalized children on weekly outings. Discusses his initial repulsion by the children's physical impairments and his development of compassion which grew out of his experiences with one young boy, Mbuso. (GEA)

Analyzed interprofessional agreements (N=26) between nurses and social workers when rating older patients on their physical self-maintenance abilities, mental status, and dispositions to social interaction with other residents of a home for the aged. Findngs showed significant intercorrelations of physical self-maintenance abilities and mental…

A program developed by the nursing department at Fernald State School (Massachusetts) prepares nurses to develop prehospital admission teaching programs for mentally retarded persons. Two case studies indicate that the program's emphasis on an interdisciplinary team approach is successful. (CB)

Institutionalized moderately and severely retarded men (N=48) and 20 non-institutionalized moderately retarded men and women were provided training in either the cognitive strategy of verbal self instruction or modelling/imitation. For both groups of subjects the verbal self-instruction training resulted in significantly greater improvement in the…

A study of 19 trainable retarded students (6-18 years old) showed (1) level of appropriate responding increased with transfer to the community; (2) level of inappropriate behavior remained the same after transter; and (3) levels of appropriate and inappropriate responding of the transferred group were similar to those of a community group.…

Examines a residential treatment center for emotionally disturbed female adolescents (N=12) by comparing changes in personality as measured by objective tests and by a questionnaire sent to former residents after release. Responses indicated that the girls were doing well and showed significant personality improvement. (JAC)

Investigated 288 persons admitted to nursing homes for problems and problem management before admission. Found that multiple problems existed; primary caregivers were close family members. Extended family and friends were helpful, community resources were rarely used. Men were caregivers for nearly two-thirds as many persons as were women.…

Since 1968, the Adopted Grandparents program has been part of the curriculum for pupils enrolled at P. K. Yonge Laboratory School. Residents of a nearby nursing home are "adopted grandparents." The director reports that interaction with the children has had positive effects on the adopted grandparents. The children enjoy the experience. (Author/NG)