The rural Montana Befrienders program pairs homebound older adults with volunteers aged 19-35 for companionship and assistance. Formal and informal evaluation identified benefits for seniors, their families, and volunteers. Most of the elders wanted volunteers to spend more time with them. (SK)

Comparison of 41 female and 15 male older adults participating in Universities of the Third Age found the genders approach retirement differently. Women want to experience freedom and make up for lost opportunities; men prefer to "sit." However, men with active interests before retirement continued activity in the Third Age. (SK)

Adults aged 24-86 (n=1,958) compared their present cognitive functioning to that of their age cohort, themselves 5-10 years ago, and themselves in early adulthood; 420 completed objective tests. Perceived age-related declines steadily increased after age 50 and were higher for those who were depressed or in ill health. There was no correlation…

An experimental group of 22 undergraduates (including 10 over age 55) took a course with an intergenerational service learning component. Compared to 22 controls, results showed the course increased knowledge about aging processes and improved attitudes toward aging. (SK)

Describes uses of "Prime Time," a weekly newspaper column on aging, in a gerontology course. Lists activities and course projects based on column content. (Contains 52 references.) (SK)

Younger (n=41, ages 18-27) and older (n=39, ages 55-85) adults were given rare words to define. Older adults gave more complete definitions and had higher vocabulary test scores, but lower working memory scores. For older adults existing vocabulary knowledge contributed more than working memory to the ability to derive meaning from context. (SK)

Presents strategies for structuring and teaching televised gerontology courses, centered on the learning environment, course preparation, instructional tools, and rapport with distant students. States that workload and compensation for distance instructors must be addressed by administrators. (SK)

After second-, fourth-, and fifth-graders (n=53) participated in an intergenerational program, descriptors for the elderly used by second- and fourth-graders were significantly more positive. Analysis of fourth-graders' journals showed that they discovered similarities with elders, formed meaningful relationships, and actively sought continuing…

A videoconference was designed to update rural caregivers on nutrition information provided by a practitioner panel. It was delivered via satellite and public television. Most of the 66 participants were satisfied with the clarity of the material and its applicability; all would attend another videoconference. (SK)

Describes the development and content of a course on sexuality in aging for a gerontology master's program. Topics include physical health, AIDS, gay/lesbian issues, widows/widowers, marriage, ethnic issues, menopause, and impotence. Provides a 33-item bibliography. (SK)

A gerontology instructor performs characters from fiction in class in order to bring a humanistic perspective to social science/health students. His examples illustrate the developmental nature of aging and the value of integrative life review. The process encourages affective learning and student self-discovery. (SK)

A video on telemarketing fraud was adapted for Mexican American older adults by adding a Spanish voiceover translated by a bilingual committee. Evaluation indicated that the translation was effective and the content communicated what was intended. Editing using digital technology was an efficient production technique. (SK)

Using "educational gerontology" to describe interventions for older adults links education to aging rather than to adults. "Gerontagogy" is proposed as a multidisciplinary combination of the science of gerontology and the study of older adults in teaching/learning situations. (SK)

Interviews with 17 tenured university professors aged 70 74 showed that most continued to work because they enjoyed it or felt their work was important. Their institutional or departmental environment was positive and they felt little pressure to retire. Most had no plans to retire. (Contains 36 references.) (SK)

Healthstages is a health promotion program of OASIS, a national organization for older adults, in cooperation with a university. The program and curriculum are based on models of successful aging and stages of change. The curriculum includes health assessment, identification of health goals, and development of an action plan. (SK)