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This study of the experiences of seventy-six Black and eighty-six Hispanic caregivers of Alzheimer's relatives sought to determine the factors characterizing the caregiving process and its outcomes, particularly personal and role strain, in each group. The findings reveal that Hispanics are more vulnerable to each type of strain and this may be partially attributed to their caring for more impaired relatives, their younger ages, and comparative lack of expressive supportive relationships. The mediating role played by culture and informal supports in the caregiving process is highlighted by the results as well as the need for the development of sensitive and appropriate interventions and supports.

The growth of community and home care services in most developed countries can be attributed to cost and quality of life considerations. However, only a few needy elderly people in Europe have benefited from the delivery of home care services. Some of these delivery methods are of the case management or case mediator variety while others try to minimize the disparity between institutional and community-based services. So far, only Denmark has anticipated the importance of home care given the country's demographic and social realities.

Caring for Alzheimer's patients places tremendous burdens and strain on families. This study examined the ways cultural values and norms influence the experiences of Hispanic caregivers. The results revealed relationships between attitudes toward caregiving and a sense of burden and depression among the caregivers, with depression being related to stronger adherence to norms of filial support. Factors associated with increased burden include lack of time for oneself, dependency needs of the patient, and belief that one could be doing a better job as caregiver. Problems common to other groups of caregivers--feelings of anger, relationship and financial strain, and isolation--were not apparent. Although relatives provide affective support, the burden of instrumental assistance rests on the primary caregiver. These findings, as well as a reluctance to discuss problems outside of the family, call for active social work interventions., Research findings on caregiving continue to corroborate that families caring for Alzheimer's patients experience tremendous burdens and strain. Chronic fatigue, anger, depression, anxiety, relationship and financial strain, and isolation are [...]

Examines gender-specific differences both prior and subsequent to retirement among 373 retired faculty and administrators. Findings indicated traditional sex roles influenced both retirement preparation and activities. Males were more likely to continue work-oriented pursuits while females participated in more social or recreational activities. (JAC)

Examined career preparation, personal expectations and interests, and workplace experiences of Jewish professionals, mostly rabbis, in the area of services to the elderly. Of all age groups, recent graduates (N=216) of a college of religious instruction felt least well prepared to work with the elderly, and advocated training in issues related to aging. (Author/KS)

Income maintenance policies are geared to reducing the risks of parental dependence on children. Although such help is extensive, families do not possess unending resources for attending to the complex health and social needs of aging relatives. Discusses present income maintenance strategy as well as alternatives to traditional care. (Author)

Studied the perceptions, expectations, and attitudes toward aging among students of religion and their graduate counterparts by means of structured interviews. Results revealed students had more positive attitudes toward young than old people, relatively low gerontological knowledge, and negative biases toward the aged. (RC)

Social work practice with the aged differs from practice in other areas because workers confront many situations and issues that they themselves will inevitably have to face. This article discusses why practice with the aged is unique and goes on to detail the functions social workers perform in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Income maintenance policies are geared to reducing the risks of parental dependence on children. Euphoric expectation about support by primary networks are net justified. Although such help is extensive, families in not possess unending resources for attending to the complex health and social needs of their aging relatives. This article discusses present income maintenance strategy as well as alternatives to traditional care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article reports on the effectiveness of a university-based, teaching training project for older people affiliated with community senior citizens. The intensive 8-session program module emphasized curricula content in the areas of (1) pedagogical skills, (2) group dynamics, (3) aging process and (4) topical instruction. Comparative analysis of pre and post-program measures documents that the program succeeded in serving two purposes: a confidence-building function for the neophyte group leader and a skills-building function for the older person with some experience in teaching. Self perceptions of teaching ability were positively associated with older adult involvement in community senior center planning activities. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Data obtained from a national population of state representatives of non-profit and proprietary nursing home associations (N =55) are used to identify normative stances taken by longterm care spokespersons. Findings fail to confirm the idea of community surveillance of patient care by nursing home ombudsmen on the part of proprietary long-term care association representatives. Non-profit spokespersons were significantly more likely to agree that long-term care staff, themselves, are not able to resolve all problems that arise in nursing homes. They also displayed a more elaborate view of functions to be assigned to nursing home ombudsmen as external monitors of patient care. Both proprietary and non-profit sponsors hesitate in accepting the full legitimacy of public scrutiny of institutional care practices. Findings imply that different community monitoring training requirements for patient representatives may be needed depending on the nature of institutional auspice. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Critical preconditions for effective program performance with vulnerable popula tions are service visibility and staff commitment. These factors may be especially important for patient representative programs serving the elderly in long term care institutions. Data collected from 210 residents in 14 skilled nursing and health- related facilities and 24 volunteer providers of nursing home ombudsman services suggest factors that may influence patient utilization of a mechanism for grievance resolution. Significant associations were found between both patient variables (age, education, sex, race) and facility variables (auspice, level of care, quality of care) and program awareness, service utilization, awareness of personal rights, and fear of retaliation. Patient representatives displayed intense altruisitc impulses, frustration with staff apathy in institutions and altered outlooks toward old people and institu tional care. Findings point to the value of personal advocacy with institutionalized aged populations, volunteer incentives and advocate career ladders, focused exper tise in selected health problem situations and flexible role behaviors in nursing home settings. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A sample of long-term care facilities utilizing ombudsman services was compared to facilities not in receipt of such mediation services. Independent assessment measures were derived from State Department of Health ratings and complaint statistics for long-term care facilities. Findings revealed that ombudsman-served facilities were not appreciably different from facilities not served by ombudsmen. Facilities served by ombudsmen, however, received a relatively higher amount of complaints than did the facility group not served by ombudsmen, particularly in areas not covered by statutory abuse reporting requirements. It is suggested that nursing home patient ombudsmen call attention to aspects of quality care not currently assured by other protective mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Thb study inquires who deals more effectively with the elderly: workers of their same age or younger service providers? Findings tend to favor the latter: younger workers showed more positive attitudes toward their aged clients. They would also consult them and involve them more often in service programming than older workers. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A broadly defined "marketing" approoch to accountability in service delivery is proposed, with particular artention to consumerism as it underlies the idea of accountability in the field of aging. Five policy strategies, aimed at strengthening consumerism, are identified. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

No abstract available for this article. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

No abstract available for this article. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research into retirement in higher education has largely been restricted to studies of male academics or else has not differentiated in its analyses between males and females. This paper documents gender-specific differences both prior and subsequent to retirement among educators in their views of retirement preparation assistance, employer responsibility in pre-retirement planning, and choice of post-retirement activities. Recommendations for future research and a suggested programmatic imperative for university employers are offered based on study results. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The concept of patient advocacy raises a range of perceptions when applied to long-term care. Analysis of national survey data on nursing home ombudsman programs documents three alternative formulations of advocacy subscribed to by constituent groups in the long-term care network: 1) individualized/developmentally-focused, 2) individualized/patients' rights-focused, and 3) facility/patients' rights-focused. Programmatic efforts will be required to address disparities in conceptions of appropriate advocacy orientation at the point of service delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A study of an urban-based, Older Americans Act-funded volunteer ombudsman program clarifies roles nursing home ombudsmen adhere to and determines the extent to which such role prescriptions are also held by long-term care staff. Findings show that volunteers tend to adopt a therapeutic, supportive role model and are less often mediating agents or tough-minded advocates. Effectiveness of ombudsman programming is seen as contingent on proper recognition of the value of nonconfrontational strategies as well as legislative initiatives that will better merge ombudsman theory and practice. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]