This article examines (1) the elimination of mandatory retirement in American higher education, (2) research related to retirement decisions of university faculty, and (3) the author's thoughts and feelings before and following retirement from academia. An interior monologue, stream-of-consciousness method is used to reflect the author's movement…

Older adults participate in education to fulfil coping, expressive, contributive, influence, and transcendence needs. Learning can promote sustained mental functioning and increase self-efficacy and social support. (Contains 15 references.) (SK)

Presents a rationale for shifting the focus of social work/gerontology education from training to a learner-centered approach that incorporates principles of adult learning. Suggests the use of adult experiences, storytelling, simulation, role playing, and a supportive learning environment. (SK)

Reviews issues involved when grandparents seek custody of or visitation rights regarding their grandchildren, social services available to custodial grandparents, and educational needs for dealing with the legal system and child rearing. (SK)

A research methods undergraduate course includes lectures, exercises, exams, term papers, and article critiques designed to increase awareness of the relevance of research methods. The course encompasses the methodology of the broader disciplines of social psychology and sociology as well as gerontology. (SK)

A proposed intergenerational learning community is a model for a charter school focused on literacy, artistic studies, technology, environment, and personal wellness. Instructional design includes nongraded, multiage, heterogeneous groupings with flexible looping to support individualized learning. Mentoring and apprenticeships will be featured.…

Negative stereotypes of older persons pose barriers to productive and successful aging. A social work intervention model provides ways to overcome the barriers by training social workers, conducting early childhood and elementary school interventions, providing intergenerational programs, and assisting older adults with employment, volunteering,…

Quantitative methods such as logical positivism often view nondominant groups as deviant and purport to be objective. Qualitative methods such as ethnography help educational gerontologists understand diverse elderly populations and allow elders to participate in the process of defining reality and producing knowledge. (SK)

Describes a program designed to help rural elderly African Americans acquire daily living skills, conducted in their homes to reduce transportation problems and increase participation. The design takes into account characteristics of the population, such as age, health, economic conditions, race, educational level, and support systems. (SK)

Describes content of a university program aimed at developing older adults' self-concept, competency, and achievement, leading to a certificate in personalized education. Addresses concepts, abilities, and values to be developed and the integrating principle that is the cornerstone of the course. (SK)

Creativity is universal and not limited by age. Creative acts help in understanding the meaning of life and aging; they contribute to well-being and life satisfaction. Programs such as Elderhostel and California's Creative Aging Workshops nurture creativity in older adults. (SK)

Evidence-based practice integrates research and practice through such techniques as precisely defining practice problems, conducting efficient literature searches, selecting the best information from searches, applying rules of evidence to test its validity, and extracting and applying practice implications. (SK)

Compares training of self-directed work teams in business with the potential of interdisciplinary teams in geriatrics. Possible pitfalls in conforming to the health care culture, obtaining management commitment, and dealing with the diversity and independence of health care professionals reflect the need for deep commitment to team development.…

Older adults use computers for entertainment, education, and creative and business endeavors. Computer training helps them increase productivity, learn skills, and boost short-term memory. Electronic mail, online services, and the Internet encourage socialization. Adapted technology helps disabled and ill elders use computers. (SK)

Efforts to prepare faculty to teach students to work with culturally diverse populations of older adults included conferences on course content and instructional methods and minifellowships in ethnogeriatrics. Most faculty reported changing course content to include knowledge gained from the training. (SK)