A team from the gerontology program at the University of Nebraska at Omaha collated random information gained from written and verbal observations of 156 respondents aged 52 to 94 who completed a problem-solving inventory. Comments were divided into two major categories: perceptions of problem-solving abilities and reaction to the problem-solving inventory. Most indicated they handled their daily problems well. Others felt they had no problems, the problems they experienced were in the past, they had others to take care of situations, or they had no control over their problems. They felt the methods they used for problem solving were the same ones used throughout their lifetime. Respondents found the abstract problems on the Likert-type instrument more complicated to handle than a concrete situation. The level of education had an impact on the individual's reaction to the instrument. Having six choices was difficult for many to comprehend, and it was learned that the aged individual could handle one function a day most effectively. Much of the data seemed to corroborate with results found by researchers in laboratory settings regarding rigidity, difficulty with a Likert scale, slowing reaction time with age, and preference for the concrete. (YLB)