Purpose: Adults aging with HIV/AIDS can experience resilience in spite of the deleterious affects of the disease. This study seeks to examine the lived experiences of older adults with HIV/AIDS as it relates to strengths and resilience in dealing with this devastating disease. Design and methods: Semistructured in-depth interviews were conducted…

Examined how successfully an environmental simulation technique could provide older people with a working knowledge of an unknown building. Compared three groups of participants: site visit (n=20); simulation (n=20); and control (n=20). Found simulation comparable to site visits in instilling confidence in way-finding ability, providing a mental…

Examined how strategies to manage dementia problems in 152 older people were associated with adjustment of family members while providing assistance to relative. Identified three dementia management strategies (criticism, encouragement, and active management) that were associated with three indices of family members' emotional adjustment (burden,…

Compared impact of bereavement on mental health of survivors (N=108) of suicides of spouses with that of survivors of natural deaths (N=99) of spouses and with married non-bereaved adults (N=144). Both survivor groups scored poorer than non-bereaved group on all measures; suicide survivors reported anxiety more often than did natural death…

Studied newly admitted cohort (n=454) to eight nursing homes over first year of residence. Gathered data at admission, two months, and one year. Examined charts for preadmission and postdischarge information. At admission, 80 percent had mental illnesses. Found significant associations of mental morbidity, restraints, and psychotropic medication…

Followed 133 elderly residents of mid-Manhattan hotels for 1 year using 19 network variables. Findings confirmed the direct and buffering effects of social networks. Of clinical relevance was the non-linearity of the network effect: Depending on a person's stress level, different network dimensions must be emphasized and strengthened. (Author/NRB)

Examined influence of both caregiving social support to impaired older relative and bereavement social support to a surviving caregiver on that caregiver's bereavement adjustment. Analyses of prospective panel data from 73 spouse and adult-child caregivers showed caregiving support characteristics to be more important for bereavement adjustment…

Purpose: Longitudinal research in dementia has acknowledged the importance of transitions during the course of family caregiving. However, long-term adaptation to institutionalization has received little attention. This study attempts to describe caregivers' adaptation (changes in stress, well-being, and psychosocial resources) to placement up to…

Compared 30 caregiver-Alzheimer's afflicted spouse dyads with 17 healthy married couples. Found caregivers differed significantly from well-group spouses on companionship and total marital quality. Only 27 percent of Alzheimer's couples versus 82 percent of well couples were sexually active. Caregivers evidenced adaptation and control; afflicted…

Studied the role of structural and qualitative components of social support in depression, coping, health, and life satisfaction in bereaved persons (N=192) between the ages of 50 and 93. Found that social support played a significant but modest role in bereavement outcomes during the first two years after the death of a spouse. (Author/ABL)