Senior-center learning opportunities must adapt, as new retirees are better educated than their predecessors. We examined 3 multipurpose senior centers using 120 hours of observations and 30 participant interviews. Variation existed in the ability to maximize synomorphic relationships, where the physical environment supported educational…

The care of individuals with dementia requires knowledge and competencies across a wide range of physical and psychosocial aspects of the disease. Yet the quality of care for persons with dementia suffers from staff shortages and inadequate training about the treatment and optimal care strategies for individuals with Alzheimer's disease. Attention…

In this article, we describe and discuss the rise and general features of educational-cultural programs for seniors offered by Spanish universities. More specifically, we focus on the historical evolution, types, and characteristics of these programs. Furthermore, we briefly describe the origin, evolution, and characteristics of the Open…

The recent deaths of more than 13,000 French elderly in the European heat wave of 2003 revealed cracks in the social foundation of urban communities, here and abroad. The breakdown occurred in community services, neighborhood networks, and governmental agencies that were responsible for warning of impending dangers to at-risk elderly. This paper…

The sonata form (A-B-A) was used as a model in a lifespan development class to examine experiences and opinions about aging. Ageism was analyzed to illustrate the process of stereotyping and to modify attitudes about aging. (SK)

An interdisciplinary team developed an undergraduate course to teach geriatrics students about ethnicity, health, and aging. Two important aspects of such a course were identified: the dynamics of team learning and multicultural education. (SK)

Students in an experimental research design course were trained in survey research and gerontology by interviewing older adults, keeping a journal, completing statistical analysis and research reporting exercises, and presenting conference-style poster sessions. (SK)

A yearlong training program involved 77 faculty from multiple disciplines in improving aging-related knowledge and appreciation for other disciplines' treatment of the topic. Evaluation showed good results for passive cognitive learning, slightly less for active cognitive learning, and mixed for affective. Four regional geriatric education centers…

Describes 10 modules for primary care practitioners on health promotion/disease prevention for the elderly on these topics: Alzheimer's disease in minorities, dehydration, diabetes, elder abuse, geriatric nutrition, oncology, oral health in long-term care, incontinence, injury prevention, and physical activity. These areas are significant for…

Describes a model reading program for the elderly. The program encourages the aged to revive dormant interests and explore new vistas as major prerequisites to personal fulfillment. The goal was to identify an instructional plan that motivates the elderly to seek intellectual, physical, or spiritual renewal through reading-related exercises.…

Offers seven methodologically distinct delivery concepts visible in preretirement education today, suggests their distinguishing qualities in terms of methodological principles and leader-training issues, and illustrates the more influential concepts with examples of established program models. The contexts are the university-gerontology arena,…

Examines various values of crafts programs for older persons, including the potential economic returns of such programs. Discusses some problems related to the production and marketing of crafts along with the role of education in income-producing programs. (BH)

Describes model for delivering aural rehabilitation services to help older hearing impaired persons adjust to a hearing aid and to foster more successful communication. Discusses training of providers by audiologists and explains the four phases of program: education, desensitization, rehabilitation strategies, and responsibility training.…

Pilot-tested health promotion delivery system using peer leadership and social networking model in elderly population. Participants took lessons on fiber intake, dietary change, and peer leadership. Qualified peer leaders then recruited second generation of participants and taught them. Model appeared to be feasible, suggesting that peer leaders…

Discusses a method of teaching human development through the use of writing journals and reading the novels of May Sarton. Uses excerpts from students' journals to highlight the process by which human service workers begin to overcome the distance between their worlds and the worlds of the elderly with whom they will work. (Author)