Ronald H. Aday

Impact of senior center friendships on aging women who live alone.

ABSTRACT Elderly women who live alone are considered at greater risk for loneliness, depression, and decreased mobility. This paper examines the influences of late-life friendships and senior center activities on the health and well-being of aging women living alone. Based on the findings from 274 women living alone it was found that the senior center is an excellent environment where new supportive friendships can easily be formed. These friendships and other center activities have positive mental and physical outcomes. Using a comparison group of 171 elderly women living with their spouses, it was discovered that women who lived alone participated in center activities more frequently and, as a result, also created a social network that extended outside of the center environment.

Changing Children's Attitudes Toward the Elderly: The Longitudinal Effects of an Intergenerational Partners Program

Abstract This article explores the longitudinal impact of an age-integrated program designed to bring the young and old closer together. The project paired 24 fourth-graders with 24 elderly volunteers from a senior citizens center, and involved a number of shared interdisciplinary activities over a 9-month school year. For comparative purposes, these students were matched by grade with a control group (n = 25). Using the Childrens Perception of Aging and Elderly inventory and a semantic differential, posttest scores indicated the experimental group to have significantly more positive attitudes toward the elderly than the control group. Results from both a 1-year and 5-year follow-up produced similar differences between the experimental and control groups. To further support the long-term impact of the Intergenerational Partners Project, qualitative statements by this sample reveal a very positive attitude toward their own aging, as well as the impact of the project on their lives. Implications and furthe...

Aging in Prison: A Case Study of New Elderly Offenders

This exploratory study focuses on the experience of aging in prison among those classified as the new elderly offenders. Using a case study approach, in-depth interviews were conducted in the summer of 1992 at a maximum-security reception center in the Southeast. The sample consisted of 25 new elderly offenders, with a mean age of 68 years. Major variables assessed in the study include personal background and family life, criminal activities, physical health, and strategies for coping with prison life. It was found that the new elderly offenders initial reaction to incarceration later in life was often characterized by family conflict, depression, thoughts of suicide, and a fear of dying in prison. Findings from this research present evidence that prison programs should be expanded to accommodate the needs of this older offender subgroup.

Belief in Afterlife and Death Anxiety: Correlates and Comparisons.

Previous investigations of the relationship between death anxiety and belief in afterlife have often yielded inconsistent results. In an attempt to establish a common linkage between the two variables, this study investigated key variables associated with death anxiety and belief in afterlife among a group of college students. The respondents sex, race, educational level, family income, church membership, frequency of church attendance, and intensity of religious beliefs were employed as control variables. Results support the notion that belief in afterlife is primarily a function of religion and not, at least directly, a correlate of fear of death. While all the control variables were found to be significantly related to either death anxiety or belief in afterlife, only church attendance was found to be significantly related to both.

Youth's attitudes toward the elderly : the impact of intergenerational partners

The authors examined changes in childrens preceptions of the elderly following participation in a 9-month intergenerational project on aging. The project matched 24 fourth-grade student with 24 elderly subjects from a large senior citizens center. The project involved a number of shared activities throughout the school year. For comparative purposes, these students were matched by grade with a control group (N = 25). Using the Childrens Perceptions of Aging and Elderly Inventory, the experimental group was judged to have significantly more positive attitudes toward the elderly than the control group (t = 2.79; p < .01). Results from a 1-year follow-up produced similar differences between the experimental and control groups (t = 2.12; p < .02). Qualitative statements by the experimental group also reveal a very positive attitude toward their own aging as well as toward the utility of the project.

Aging Prisoners' Concerns toward Dying in Prison:

Prison populations are experiencing rapid increases and many more offenders are dying in prison. This study investigated key variables associated with death anxiety among a group of aging prisoners. For this research, 102 respondents residing in a maximum security prison with a mean age of 59 completed Templers Death Anxiety Scale. A regression analysis showed that age, inmate social supports, and a number of health related variables were important predictors of death fear. The findings revealed that fear of death is slightly higher among older prisoners than for similar age groups in the community. Qualitative information based on personal narratives found that some inmates see death as an escape, while others expressed fears of dying in prison or the stigma associated with imprisonment.

CHANGES IN NURSING STUDENTS’ ATTITUDES AND WORK PREFERENCES AFTER A GERONTOLOGY CURRICULUM

Changes in nursing students’ perceptions of and preferences for working with the elderly population after completion of a bachelors program in nursing science were examined. Students (N = 45) officially entered the nursing program in the first semester of their junior year. The curriculum involved a wide range of clinical experiences and geriatric information. In a pre‐/ post‐test design, the Perceptions of Aging and Elderly Inventory (PAEI) and the Elderly Patient Care Inventory (EPCI) were used to measure program impact. A paired t test of pre‐ and post‐test scores on the PAEI, revealed significant positive attitudinal changes, t (44) = 4.71, p < .01. Students also reported more favorable impressions toward patient care for the elderly, as measured by the EPCI, t (44) = 4.20, p < .01. Qualitative statements by the students provide a better understanding why some prospective nursing students choose to work with geriatric patients whereas others resist.

Changing Children's Perceptions of the Elderly:.

Age-integrated programming has become an effective way to bring the young and old closer together. This article reviews some of the relevant literature and then describes a study involving the Intergenerational Partners Project, a program which stressed the use of age-integrated friendship. The project involved a number of activities shared by fourth graders and elderly volunteers. The Childrens Perception of Aging and Elderly (CPAE) inventory administered before and after the program indicated significant attitude improvement toward the elderly by participating students. Other information from the youth and elderly participants also indicated positive qualities of the partners program. The format used to organize the project is presented and the planned activities are identified. Recommendations for intergenerational programming are discussed.

IMPACT OF AN INTERGENERATIONAL PROGRAM ON BLACK ADOLESCENTS’ ATTITUDES TOWARD THE ELDERLY

This study examines changes in black adolescents’ perceptions of the elderly following participation in an eight‐week intergenerational project. The project matched 19 teenagers with 19 elderly subjects from a large senior citizens center. Using an experimental design, students were matched by age with a control group (n = 20). A 20‐item semantic differential scale and the Childrens Perceptions of Aging and Elderly (CPAE) inventory were used to measure attitude change. Posttest results from a matched pair t‐test found significant attitude change in the experimental group: semantic differential (t = 2.8, p < .01); CPAE (t = 4.2, p < .01). Qualitative comments from the youth and elderly participants further indicate positive qualities of the partners program.

Malign Neglect: Assessing Older Women's Health Care Experiences in Prison

The problem of providing mandated medical care has become commonplace as correctional systems in the United States struggle to manage unprecedented increases in its aging prison population. This study explores older incarcerated women’s perceptions of prison health care policies and their day-to-day survival experiences. Aggregate data obtained from a sample of 327 older women (mean age = 56) residing in prison facilities in five Southern states were used to identify a baseline of health conditions and needs for this vulnerable group. With an average of 4.2 chronic health conditions, frequently histories of victimization, and high rates of mental health issues, the women’s experiences of negotiating health care was particularly challenging. By incorporating the voices of older women, we expose the contradictions, dilemmas, and obstacles they experience in their attempts to obtain health care. It is clear from the personal accounts shared that, despite court mandates, penal harm practices such as delaying or denying medical treatment as well as occasional staff indifferences are common in women’s prisons. With older women having the greatest need for health care, an age- and gender-sensitive approach is recommended.