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Empirical studies that include travel-related attitudes to identify the role of residential self-selection in the relationship between the built environment and travel behaviour display a wide variety in the type of attitudes that they include, the relationships between the variables that they analyse and the ways they measure attitude. This paper discusses what theories on attitudes and behaviour can contribute to examining the role of self-selection and reviews those studies on residential self-selection and travel behaviour that explicitly include attitudes. Although several studies state that residential self-selection is accounted for by the inclusion of attitudes, the complexity of the inclusion and the measurement of attitudes often leads to an underestimation of the role of residential self-selection. Because of their relevance to the reliability of results, the options for measuring travel-related attitudes are also discussed. When attitudes are included in questionnaires, it is essential to consider reliability, efficiency, response and the number of variables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Research on the mental health and service needs of homeless seniors has been scant. This paper reviews the available literature and presents findings of a Toronto survey in an effort to describe the demographics of homeless seniors, their level of impairment, and their mental and physical health needs.Methods: We searched the Medline, AgeLine, and PsycINFO databases, using the following key words: elderly homeless, elderly hostel users, and urban geriatrics. To better describe the service needs of the elderly homeless, we obtained demographic data from the Community and Neighbourhood Services Department and distributed a survey questionnaire to 11 Toronto hostel directors. The questionnaire elicited data relating to reasons for shelter use, problem behaviours, and mental health needs of those over age 65 years.Results: Although seniors represent a small percentage of the homeless population, their numbers are growing. The available literature suggests a high prevalence of psychiatric disorders and cognitive impairment in this population, with a greater proportion of older women than men having severe mental illness. Further, our survey suggests that the service needs of elderly hostel users in Toronto differ from those of their younger counterparts.Conclusion: The homeless elderly are the most vulnerable of this impoverished population. Although more research is needed to define their mental and physical health needs and ways of meeting them, their characteristics appear to be unique. Geriatric psychiatrists could play a significant role in evaluating and treating this population more comprehensively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports the results of a longitudinal study carried out in urban China on the health and mental status of 200 elders 70 years of age or older and focuses on the experience of dementia. While older people and their families are aware of the phenomenon of dementia, it does not evoke the kind of dread that is common among Americans. This different response can be traced to beliefs about dementia, cultural values, and situational features of contemporary Chinese life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]