With the increased use of paraprofessionals as service providers to the elderly, and indication in current literature that negative attitudes toward the aged are reflected in treatment received, the need for specialized training in geriatrics is apparent. A true-false 54-item questionnaire concerning older people's social, economic, physical and mental conditions was administered to a control group of 28 Ss and as a pre- and post-test to two groups of 20 Ss who participated in two training programs designed to prepare older people age range 55-75 (mean educational level nine years) to work as health assistants with homebound elderly patients. The training was a 100-hour, four-week program geared to increase understanding of normal and pathological aging and development of interpersonal and clinical skills. Material relating to each questionnaire item was presented and reinforced during training, using lecture, discussion, audio-visual and experiential techniques. Specialized training positively affects factual learning and attitude change of older individuals. (Author)