This paper reports findings from a study of 400 community-dwelling persons aged 65 and over. The stratified random sample resides in a city in Ontario, Canada, with a population of 260,000. A profile of their living arrangements is presented and then analysed with respect to respondent characteristics. Each of gender, marital status, and age are related to living arrangements at statistically significant levels, but control analyses indicate that gender is the most salient respondent characteristic. The authors argue that these observed gender differences in living arrangements are a reflection of sex role differences in today's older population. To the extent that these roles change, so too will the living arrangements of men and women. For both the present and future, differences by gender must be taken into account in housing and income policies.

A mail-out survey method was used to assess the transportation needs of seniors living in relatively remote rural areas of Saskatchewan. In all 1675 questionnaires were returned for an 87% return rate. Results showed that the transportation-disadvantaged were very old widowed women living alone on a small income in a village or small town who were particularly likely to be lonely, in poor health, and physically frail. Two types of transportation needs were identified: the need to make local trips at least once a week and the need for transportation to a district centre at least once a month. Examples of volunteer, locally-run transportation systems that might meet these needs and be cost-effective are reviewed.

The 1982 World Assembly on Aging was convened to launch an international plan of action aimed at guaranteeing economic and social security to older persons, as well as opportunities for them to contribute to national development. The Plan of Action was to be considered as an integral component of major international development strategies and programs which have been formulated in response to important world problems and needs. This paper examines the background documents on aging prepared by the United Nations for world wide regional meetings held before the Assembly. It argues that the issues raised were restricted to a “social problems” perspective on aging which is congruent with the modernization theory of development. The economic and political dependency of Third World countries was ignored. As a result, the discussion and recommendations emerging from the regional meetings, in both developed and underdeveloped areas, focused only on policies and programs similar to those in industrialized countries. This paper concludes that such programs are irrelevant to the lives of most people as they age.

Quality assurance packages for common health problems are being developed for use in long term care settings. Each package includes a criteria map outlining explicit process and outcome criteria, a reviewer's manual and data summary forms. The packages were developed for use by direct care providers in long term care facilities. Established criteria are applied to records on resident care in order to identify areas which require remedial actions. A feasibility study to assess the use of the packages in eleven nursing homes is reported.

This paper discusses seven major issues that will affect the development of gerontology education in response to manpower needs in aging in Canada. These issues concern the definitions of aging for educational and manpower policy, manpower forecasting, knowledge base in gerontology, gerontology as an academic field or as a professional field, development of education programs, employment opportunities, and factors in supply and demand. The author stresses the importance of creating baseline data about manpower needs and occupational settings and about the knowledge base of gerontology in Canada.

Re: Use of Observer-Rated Clinical Indicators of Pain In the Elderly

From Vol. 2, No. 2, page 71

Journal on Aging