David Haber

Life Review: Implementation, Theory, Research, and Therapy

A selective literature review of publications on life review generated ideas on implementation, theory, research, and therapy. The review begins by differentiating life review from reminiscence, and summarizing ways to conduct a life review. A dozen theories that have been influenced by the life review technique are presented, with a focus placed on Eriksons Stages of Psychosocial Development. Eriksons theory has not only been influenced by the life review, it has had a major impact on life review research. Three research topics are discussed: Eriksons ego integrity versus despair in old age, demographical differences in the practice of life reviews, and the impact of conducting life reviews on staff in institutional settings. Most practitioners of life reviews are institutional staff, university students, and family members, many of whom have had limited prior training. The prospect of a certified life review training program is discussed.

Gerontology Adding an Empowerment Paradigm

With gerontology boomers beginning to collect their social security checks, this article challenges gerontology professionals to transform the jobs, services, programs, and institutions that will a...

In-Home and Community-Based Long-Term Care Services: A Review of Recent AOA Projects Involving Self-Determination

This review examines about 30 recent research and demonstration projects funded primarily by the Administration on Aging. The projects attempt to promote self-determination at different levels of environmental restrictiveness, through in-home and community-based long-term care services. The article provides a conceptual framework for informing policymakers, program developers, and practitioners on the scope of projects encouraging self-determination among the elderly and their family care givers, as well as the array of care-giving services and sites that are being developed.

Using Today's Headlines for Teaching Gerontology

It is a challenge to attract undergraduate students into the gerontology field. Many do not believe the aging field is exciting and at the cutting edge. Students, however, can be convinced of the timeliness, relevance, and excitement of the field by, literally, bringing up todays headlines in class. The author collected over 250 articles during the first nine months of 2007 and incorporated the content into his Health and Aging course. Gerontology faculty members who make the connection between current news events and course material, as well as incorporate that connection into their recruitment efforts, will discover an opportunity to promote their discipline.

Cultural Diversity Among Older Adults: Addressing Health Education

ABSTRACT The diversity of the older adult population is increasing, and health professionals need to learn new knowledge and skills to improve the adherence of older ethnic clients to their health recommendations. Much of the existing research literature on diversity in gerontology concludes that ethnic older adults are at a health disadvantage. Few if any of these studies, however, offer practical applications for health promoters. This article reports on a paradox: there is a surprising amount of diversity within each group of ethnic elders, but it may be the similarities across these groups that lead to practical applications of use to health-promoters. The article ends with health-promotion questions of relevance to older adults, regardless of ethnicity.

Interest in Hosting an Exercise Program for Older Adults at African-American Churches

ABSTRACT The primary objective of this research was to evaluate which type of African-American churches may be good sites for launching an exercise program for older adults. A survey of ministers at 42 African-American churches was conducted. Churches interested in (1) hosting an exercise program for older adults and (2) identifying church members who would take a leadership role in recruitment, are those that are more resourceful in terms of large membership, adequate space, and higher socioeconomic status. Additional ideas are offered on interviewing African-American ministers, and identifying churches interested in reaching out to less resourceful neighboring churches.

A Response to Neufeld, Kane, and Whittington

I appreciate the thoughtful comments of Professors Neufeld, Kane, and Whittington, and their divergent perspectives. Professor Neufeld believes the boomers are quite capable of being empowered without assistance from the gerontology community, but worries that the Wall Street meltdown will overwhelm this cohort. Professor Kane views gerontology through the lens of a long-term supportive services advocate, and believes the boomers who are, or become, frail can benefit from the disability activists who cede as little power as possible to providers and administrators. Professor Whittington believes my link between a few prominent individual examples and convincing evidence of empowerment trends is not strong and, in addition, empowerment is unlikely to be under our control.

Health Contract in the Classroom

Abstract A health contract is a technique used by health professionals to help clients achieve a health goal. This article describes a course, “Changing Health Behaviors,” in which a health contract strategy is taught and practiced with older adults. The health contract can also be included as a smaller educational component within a gerontology course that covers risk factors such as sedentary behavior or nutritional deficiency, counseling or health education techniques, or program development. Gerontology students who complete a degree or certificate program may enter a variety of venues in which a health contract can be a useful tool with older clients.