News Notes New Geriatric Psychiatry Society is Formed A new American Association for Gero-Psychiatry has been formed by a group of some 100 psychiatrists. The organization's initial goals are exchange of information regarding psychiatrist's activities in working with the elderly; to encourage the development of local societies to study the psychological aspects of aging; and to discuss service and training issues with American Psychiatric Association officers and members of Councils and Task Forces to assist in developing policies. Further information is available from Sanford I. Finkel, MD. 230 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 2400, Chicago, Ill. 60601. Ageism Attacked To bring a new perspective on aging to a wide audience of public policy makers, the Maine Committee on Aging has developed a program aimed at examining stereotypes of old age and questioning the impact such stereotypes have upon citizen behavior and policy development. "Old Age: Tradition Shelved or Shared" hired 10 older citizens to represent Maine's older population and to work with three younger staff persons in developing oral histories of their own lives and experiences. These were then scripted into dramatic presentations and performed by the older persons before statewide audiences. Following each presentation, the older people were joined by a panel of public policy makers and scholars in the humanities to discuss public policies on aging with the audience. With funding from the Maine Council for the Humanities and Public Policy, a state program of the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Committee hired a project director and two young theatrical directors who had had no previous experience with older citizens. Together with a representative of the Social Science Research Institute and a planning committee, the staff developed a series of questions for recruiting and selecting older citizens whom they found through newspaper stories, announcements in church bulletins, and data from the University of Maine Northeast Archives of Folklore and Oral History. Meeting throughout the week for several months, the older people responded to questions from the staff, and discussed politics, social events, and their own lives. Over 100 hours of tape-recorded thoughts were compiled from the oral historians. The tapes were transcribed into scripts which were staged and rehearsed to maintain the actual words and motions of the oral historians. The only set consisted of two park benches and a large trunk. Professional actors, costumes, and makeup were not used. The scripts included recollections of romances and marriages, childbearing and raising, work experiences, the depression years, the two world wars, and a discussion about death and dying. The scripts also held thoughts on the future. The project was presented across the state to nine audiences consisting of county and municipal officials, state and area agency on aging staff and board of directors, students, members of governmental advisory commissions, media representatives, policy makers in the arts and education, and legislators. Following the presentations, oral historians, staff, scholars in the humanities, and public policy makers led discussions stimulated by the presentations. According to the project's formal evaluation, over 60 percent of audiences found their thinking stimulated "a great deal" and another 30 percent found the program "somewhat stimulating." Interestingly, younger viewers responded most positively to the program. The success of the project became clear when the Maine State Commission for the Arts and Humanities offered an additional grant to bring the presentation to wider audiences. through public television. Through the cooperation of WCBB-TV, the script was revised for television and broadcast statewide. It was followed by a live talk show through which the television audience was able to call in questions and talk with oral historians and staff. The program marked the first live performance by older people on the State's public broadcasting networks. In addition, the program was presented in Boston to the Eastern Communication Association Convention. Large Print Book Club Offers Chance to Read For members of the club, there are discounts on the regular price of Large Print editions. Membership in the book club does not require a fee. Anyone can join by purchasing a book at half price. Another feature of the club is that there is never an automatic shipment of books to members; all books must be ordered. Neither is there any oblibation to buy a minimum number of books. Each month, The Large Print Review is distributed free to members. Further information about the club is available from G.K. Hall & Co., Customer Relations Dept. PR7, 70 Lincoln St., Boston, Mass. 02111. The telephone number is (617) 423-3990. News Notes Survey Shows Students Attitudes Toward Elderly Results of a study recently conduct- | much smaller percentage of today's ed at California's Santa Barbara City College tend to disprove the belief that younger persons are biased against the old. Dora Braden, Coordinator of the Adopt-a-Grandparent program at the College, said that the Attitudes and Opinions Survey was conducted to aid individuals and agencies in planning programs involving senior citizens and college students, and to determine whether or not college students are aware of and interested in learning about the needs of the elderly. Of the 198 students taking part in the study half were living with their parents. Of those completing the 65question survey 18 percent of the men and 46 percent of the women reported they had done some volunteer work involving older persons. Only two of those polled reported anyone over 65 living in their household, but nearly three quarters had lived near their grandparents. The majority were aware of services available to the elderly in their community and had visited a convalescent home at least once. Approximately two-thirds had read books or articles about the problems of growing old. Only 11 percent of the students felt. that most adult children would welcome aged parents into their homes as permanent residents. However, when questioned as to whether or not they would welcome their parents into their homes, 43 percent of the men said yes and 60 percent of the women agreed. When asked if they would want to live with an adult child when they become old, 26 percent answered in the affirmative. This is in contrast to current research which indicates that a elderly feel it is desirable to live with In the area of education, nearly all Only a quarter of the respondents felt that most people adapt well to aging, but a large majority agreed that the elderly are pleasant to be around and that they feel comfortable being with them. Some contradictions appeared in the survey results. Over half the young people indicated they believe most older people continue to live in their own homes and all agreed that independence should be maintained as long as possible. However, 72 percent felt there should be more places where custodial care for the elderly can be provided. Further refuting a belief in independence for the elderly, one fourth of the students thought that elderly people should not wear bright colors, and nearly half of the men disapproved of women over 65 dyeing their hair. One fourth of those questioned were against the elderly obtaining elective cosmetic surgery. Over all, women students tended to be more tolerant than men, agreeing to allow the elderly to do their own thing. When asked to make other comparisons between themselves and those over 65, the students thought that the elderly vote more frequently, are equally well informed about current events, and have about the same amount of stress in their lives as students. Well over half believe that old people perform just as well as young people when given adequate time to complete a task. Only 26 percent of the students felt that most elderly are healthy, and only 25 percent thought the elderly had adequate diets. In fact about twothirds of the elderly are well. Nearly all agreed that older persons should follow a regular exercise program. In the area of health, 63 percent felt that seniors do not receive proper care, and when questioned further, 74 percent of the men and 65 percent of the women favored having total medical care provided to all people of all ages regardless of the ability to pay. Even though a fifth of those surveyed indicated they are looking forward to old age, 81 percent denied that most elderly are satisfied with their living conditions. Only a minute number think that most elderly people have enough money to do the things they had planned when reaching retirement age. On the reverse side, 87 percent believe that most older people need financial assistance from the government. Over all, only 11 percent believed that the needs of seniors are being adequately met, yet nearly half thought that the population in general feels that senior citizens are well provided for. Fewer than one fourth indicated a belief that most old people take advantage of services available to them in the community. State and Community News Missouri Center on Aging Changes Name, Function The Mid-America Resource and Training Center on Aging in Kansas City, Missouri, has recently adopted a new working name, The Shepherd's Center Training Service. In addition to training persons who work with the aged, the center will promote the development of a network of services and programs. The Center now offers nine home services to help older persons remain in their homes and six activities at the Center designed to make their lives more meaningful. Further information is available from the Center located at 5218 Oak St., Kansas City, Mo. 64112. Georgia Issues A handbook describing proceedings of the Fourth Annual Georgia Conference on Aging which took place in May 1977 has been issued. Funded by the Administration on Aging, the monograph is entitled Environments, Creativity, and Aging. The conference, sponsored by the University of Georgia Center for Continuing Education and Georgia State University, explored the relationship of aging to both the physical and non-physical environments and to creativity. Participants compared creative responses to three types of aging envronments: housing and planned living arrangements, expected bodily changes accompanying the biological aging process which constitute a new environment, and the sociocultural conditions that come with new social roles. Successful projects for the elderly were outlined and demonstrated to foster similar programs throughout Georgia. Pennsylvania Domiciliary Care Two new developments in Pennsylvania will mean better services for the State's elderly. Effective January 1, Pennsylvania's two million older persons will have their own cabinet-level position to address their special needs. The Department of Aging for the first time, ties together social, health, and financial programs from seven and financial programs from seven other state agencies. Until now, the Office of Aging has been under the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare. The creation of the new department has been one of the major concerns of the State's older persons for the last few years. Another significant development is the provision of domiciliary care, a new service offering protected living situations in the community for people 18 or older who cannot live independently but need some supportive services in order to live in a community setting. One of the unique aspects of the program is the fact that it is integrated-it serves a variety of persons, including the elderly, the former mental patient, and disabled, and the blind. Eligibility depends on two factors, one physical and the other financial. Persons must either be receiving or be eligible for Supplemental Security Income or have a monthly income under $336.70. In addition, the program is only for those persons who have difficulty in everyday living because of the frailties of age and physical, visual, or mental impairments. Persons in domiciliary care homes receive a State supplementary payment in addition to the regular payment, bringing the total amount to $336.70 a month. Of that total, $283 is paid to the home provider and $53.70 is kept by the individual. Homes are certified after meeting fire, safety, health, and sanitation standards. Services include room and board, housekeeping, laundry, assistance with personal hygiene, grooming, and other activities of daily living. Placements are made through area agencies on aging which are responsible for assessing and certifying clients and homes, matching clients to homes, making placements, and monitoring to ensure that the client is receiving the care required. As of May 1978, 787 persons had been placed and 618 people were currently living in Dom Care homes. Rhode Island Widow-to-Widow Program Rhode Island's Widow-to-Widow support program is the only one offered through the Department of Elderly Affairs without the 60 and over age eligibility guidelines. "Unfortunately, widows come in all ages, and their problems are similar," says Sylvia Prescott who is the project's director. She would like the program to provide "someone to talk to, someone to guide and reassure. It will be primarily educational and supportive. And unless the widow is handicapped, she'll have to come to the Elderly Affairs office to discuss matters. This will be an incentive to get dressed, get out, and face new people. These are difficult and important steps for widows." The program will also be open to widowers, but Mrs. Prescott doesn't anticipate the same percentage of men as women contacting Widow-toWidow. "Men simply hesitate to discuss their feelings," she observed, "but they're absolutely welcome." Publications Families Handbook for the Spouse Alone. By Terence D. Mariani. Practical Press, P.O. Box 3280, Waterbury, Conn. 06705. 1977. 92 pp. $4.95 plus 65¢ for postage and handling. This practical new publication provides a convenient method of cataloguing important household and family data through its fill-in-theblanks format and technique for updating. The guide was compiled by a Connecticut lawyer and his wife, and grew out of the realization that the sharp division of responsibilities in most modern marriages is paralleled by a sharp division in the facts and information needed to meet those responsibilities. The manual includes pages to be filled in with information on wills and estates, safe deposit boxes, residences, investments, insurance, motor vehicles, and family health records. There are also pages for recording the data on the deed, mortgage, and insurance for both a first and second residence. Dates for guarantees and service contracts on major appliances can be listed, along with helpful information on replacing fuses and smoke detector batteries. There's space for detailed information on bank accounts and securities, with a section for noting the names and addresses of personal and business advisors. There is also a listing for the person who has an Individual Retirement Account, along with a place for the name of the bank officer servicing the account. The pages on family health records include listings for dates of hospital stays, surgery performed, allergies, and long-term medication. There is even space at the end of this handbook for noting such long-term commitments as charity pledges, notes that were co-signed, and extended obligations. Being a Grandparent. By Marie A new pamphlet has been issued by an educator seeking to help "grandparents who are confused by their role in today's complex society." Geared to the general public, "Being A Grandparent" focuses on the relationship of older parents with their own children, as well as with their grandchildren. Mrs. Wenner discusses problems that may arise when grandparents live close to or far away from their children and grandchildren and when they live with them. She examines conflicts between older persons and their children in disciplining grandchildren, and rivalry between grandparents and their children for the affection of the grandchildren. In the course of her work as a teacher and religious education director, Mrs. Wenner had regular conferences and counseling sessions with parents, teenagers, and older persons. "Many of the ideas expressed in this leaflet," observes the author, "have been used by many families I know personally so I feel they could give support and encouragement to families looking for some guidelines." Films "Run, Don't Walk." 17 min., 16mm color, 1-3 day rental, $25; purchase, $250. Ramsgate Films, 704 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica, Calif. 90401. Released in 1977, "Run, Don't Walk" graphically demonstrates the benefits of physical fitness for adults. Men and women ranging in age from 40 to 87 enthusiastically describe the mental and physical benefits they derive from swimming, jogging, paddle tennis, and gymnastics. As one 87year-old jogger in the film puts it, year-old jogger in the film puts it, "People should do something in life besides sittin' and gruntin'." "Positive Pre-Retirement PlanningA Teaching Model." 27 mins., 16mm color, Rental: $30.00 for 2 days, Purchase: $275.00. Maddron & Maddron, Distributors of Educational Films, 1949 E. 28th Ave., Eugene, Oreg. 97403. This documentary of a class conducted by the University of Oregon Center for Gerontology presents a tested teaching model and provides counseling trainees with information and a method that takes advantage of the lifetime experience of the prereti rees. "Retire? Who Me?" 31 min., 16mm, color. Rental: $35.00 for 2 days, Purchase: $320.00. Maddron & Maddron, Distributors of Educational Films, 1949 E. 28th Ave., Eugene, Oreg. 97403. A companion film for "Positive Preretirement Planning-A Teaching Model," it focuses on the preretirees themselves as they respond to the information brought to the sessions by the counselors. "A Better Answer." 10 min. 16mm, color. Oregon State Program on Aging, Film Library, 772 Commercial St., S.E., Salem, Oreg. 97310. A new film, distributed by the National Council of HomemakerHome Health Aide Services, Inc., depicts these services as they are provided in a variety of real-life situations. The film emphasizes training, supervision, and the value of homemakerhome health aide services in preventing unnecessary institutionalization. Correction The July-August issue of Aging included a review of Prep for Your Future, with a price listing of 10 copies for $5. The correct price for this publication is $5 per copy, if 10 or more copies are ordered. Single copies are $7.50 each. |