The need for evidence-based non-pharmacological community programs to improve care of older adults with dementia is self-evident, considering the sheer numbers of affected individuals; the emotional, physical, and financial toll on affected individuals and their caregivers; the impact on our health care system; and the growing availability of…

Purpose of the Study: The objectives of this study were to evaluate a community-based basic computer and Internet training program designed for older adults, provide recommendations for program refinement, and gather preliminary information on program sustainability. Design and Methods: The program was developed by the OASIS Institute, a nonprofit…

Purpose of the Study: The Exercise Assessment Screening for You (EASY) tool was developed to encourage older adults at every functional level to be more physically active. The purposes of this study were to examine characteristics of older adults who participated in an evidence-based falls prevention program by their entry to EASY tool scores,…

Purpose: This study assessed the effectiveness of Active Start, a community-based behavior change and fitness program, designed to promote physical activity among sedentary community-dwelling older adults. Design and Methods: A quasi-experimental design was used. Data were analyzed using a within-group pretest-post-test design to calculate changes…

A network model for the organization of the elderly for self-help and the development of leadership is described. The model is recommended as the most appropriate for those concerned with organizing all types of elderly, even if only minimally, on a large scale, for a sustained period of time. (Author)

Focuses on the effect of the Community Long Term Care project on nursing home utilization. Over an 18-month period of participation, experimental group clients experienced significantly fewer admissions and a 38 percent reduction in nursing home use. (Author/BL)

Purpose: There is little empirical translation of multimodal cognitive activity programs in "real-world" community-based settings. This study sought to demonstrate in a short-term pilot randomized trial that such an activity program improves components of cognition critical to independent function among sedentary older adults at greatest risk.…

Discusses how Dallas, Texas, Area Agency on Aging met requirement of 1987 amendments to Older Americans Act of 1965 that State Offices on Aging identify agencies involved in identifying and treating abused, neglected, and exploited elders and determine their need for services. Describes impact of Elder Abuse Task Force on state law, adult…

Describes a Volunteer Information Provider Program (VIPP) which was demonstrated in five rural Missouri counties to help families deal with the strain of caregiving. Notes that capitalizing on two community-based organizations in rural areas, 63 volunteers shared information with over 1,100 caregivers in a 14-month period. (Author/ABL)

Describes a support program for community-based Alzheimer's patients and their caregivers. In addition to joint activities, the family group focuses on the family organization, support networks, feelings, new activities, and making decisions. The patient group provides social and awareness activities. (JAC)

Describes an intergenerational service program designed to use the skills of each generation to meet the needs of the other. Reviews screening, training, and a variety of placements for the teenage and older adult participants and discusses ongoing program benefits. (Author/NRB)

Describes a research-based self-care health education program for recently widowed people. Program aims to provide a foundation of knowledge, motivation, and encouragement to initiate positive behavioral changes, and to establish a support network. Preliminary analysis suggests the program is achieving many of the intended outcomes. (Author/JDM)

Analysis of the enrollment procedure for a study of an intensive, community-based diabetes management program revealed that persons who declined initially were slightly older and lived further away from the study site. Recruitment strategies were compared, revealing that press releases and newspaper advertisements were the most effective. (JPS)

Caretakers of 100 Foster Family Care (FFC) homes were interviewed to assess demographic characteristics, relationship with sponsoring agency, family-nature of the home, and community recation. Although some programmatic difficulties emerged, residents appear well integrated and caretakers report much personal satisfaction. (Author)

Describes a unique funding and working relationship between an agency on aging and community mental health center, which focuses on community-based care, utilizing a multidisciplinary in-home case-management approach to serve elderly persons at risk. Nontraditional referral sources known as "gatekeepers" are organized to identify such…