Journal of Gerontology

Gilleard, Christopher, John;Gurkan, Ali, Arslan

doi: 10.1093/geronj/42.4.353pmid: 3598081

Abstract The aim of this study was to test the predictions of modernization theory concerning the relationship between socioeconomic development and the status of elderly men in Turkish society. Using data derived from Turkish provincial census returns for 1980 and related material, we performed a series of principal component (pc) regression analyses on the data. The results indicated that a greater proportion of elderly men were classified as “head of household” in provinces characterized by low levels of urbanization and industrialization and with high village populations. Labor force participation rates of elderly men also demonstrated a negative relationship to the modernization variables. In contrast, measures of educational and high-level employment status showed a positive relationship with these indexes. These latter variables may reflect historical processes of development and achievements gained earlier in life rather than the current status of elderly men in turkey. Thus, the study provides strong support for the major tenets of modernization theory. This content is only available as a PDF. © 1987 The Gerontological Society of America

Olshansky, S., Jay

doi: 10.1093/geronj/42.4.358pmid: 3598082

Abstract Methods being used to project mortality are based on the hypothetical elimination of one or more diseases from the population or on extrapolation from observed mortality rates. This research presents an alternative projection method based on an epidemiological theory of aging and mortality change that is consistent with recent mortality transitions. The model is founded on the observation that recent mortality declines in the United States are attributable to improved life styles and advances in the prevention and treatment of degenerative diseases and that the risk of dying from such diseases is being redistributed (or delayed) from younger to older ages. A test using U.S. Mortality and population data indicates that this alternative method is promising — particularly for projecting mortality rates from major chronic degenerative diseases among populations in middle and older ages. This content is only available as a PDF. © 1987 The Gerontological Society of America

Meyer, Judith, W.

doi: 10.1093/geronj/42.4.366pmid: 3598083

Abstract New england counties are grouped into categories using graphic displays of five decades of net migration rates for young and old elderly persons. Linear functions composed of social, economic, and geographic variables discriminate among the categories, yielding the following associations: positive rate counties are long-standing retirement and recreation areas; negative rate counties have large, old, declining cities; turnaround counties are nonmetropolitan counties with recently developed retirement!Recreation facilities; miscellaneous counties include suburban counties with a temporary peak in net migration rates. The counties' patterns are relatively similar for young-old and out-old persons over the five decades This content is only available as a PDF. © 1987 The Gerontological Society of America

Young,, Gay;Dowling,, Winifred

doi: 10.1093/geronj/42.4.376pmid: 3598084

Abstract Research on religiosity and aging has focused more on church attendance than on the religious role and the strength of beliefs and the extent of private devotions. This study of 123 older west texans examines the degree to which nine variables account for variation in both organized religious activities and private religious behavior. These include three social activity and interaction variables, three religion variables, and three personal variables (health, age, and income). Strength of religious conviction proved to be the strongest predictor of both types of religious participation. Multiple-regression analysis did not support the hypothesis that private religious activity is compensatory; that is, it does not make up for increased social or personal deprivation. Poor health, low income, reduced activity, and living alone did not predict higher levels of nonorganized religious behavior. However, strong kin/friend networks did predict high levels of private devotion. This research suggests that frequent interaction in a social network contributes to the spiritual well-being of elderly persons; that is, it affirms the wholeness of their lives. This content is only available as a PDF. © 1987 The Gerontological Society of America

Campione, Wendy, A.

doi: 10.1093/geronj/42.4.381pmid: 3598085

Abstract Data from the university of michigan's panel study of Income Dynamics were used to investigate married women's retirement decisions. Results are presented from a methodological comparison of parameter estimates derived under both single-and multiple-equation frameworks using logit analyses. This study finds that: (a) the married woman's decision is influenced significantly by her own wage wealth, social security wealth, pension wealth, and age, and (b) it is significantly influenced by her spouse's wage wealth and his labor force status. This content is only available as a PDF. © 1987 The Gerontological Society of America

Rodgers, Willard, L.;Herzog, A., Regula

doi: 10.1093/geronj/42.4.387pmid: 3598086

Abstract Using data from a probability sample of adults in a metropolitan area, the accuracy of survey measures was assessed by comparisons to administrative records, census counts, and maps. Some types of information, including birth date and make and year of car, were reported accurately by most respondents, whereas frequent errors were detected for other types of information, including voting behavior, house value, and characteristics of neighbors. Comparisons were made with respect to the relative accuracy of the reports of respondents in three age groups: younger than 60, 60 through 69, and 70 or older. For many measures, no age differences were detected, and for those where age differences were observed, the older respondents were sometimes more accurate than the younger respondents. The potential consequences of measurement error are serious. Evidence to date, however, does not indicate consistently that these problems are any more serious for older respondents than for any other age group. This content is only available as a PDF. © 1987 The Gerontological Society of America

Helmes,, Edward;Csapo, Kalman, G.;Short,, Judith-ann

doi: 10.1093/geronj/42.4.395pmid: 3598087

Abstract Objective, reliable and valid means of assessing the cognitive and psychosocial functionings of elderly persons are in demand for several reasons. Clinical needs for initial assessment, placement, and treatment monitoring are supplemented by the need for research tools for program evaluation and clinical trials. The set of behavior rating scales called the Multidimensional Observation Scale for Elderly Subjects (MOSES) was developed with these needs in mind. This paper describes the development of the MOSES scale and its rationale and norming on 2,391 residents of hospitals and residential settings. Internal consistency reliabilities in the .8 range and interrater reliabilities from .58 to .97 are reported. Validity correlations with the zung depression, robertson short mental status, kingston dementia, and the physical and mental impairment-of-function evaluation (PAMIE) scales were all satisfactory. The applications and advantages of the use of MOSES are discussed. This content is only available as a PDF. © 1987 The Gerontological Society of America

Smith, James, J.;Hughes, C., Vincent;Ptacin, Michael, J.;Barney, Jill, A.;Tristani, Felix, E.;Ebert, Thomas, J.

doi: 10.1093/geronj/42.4.406pmid: 3598088

Abstract We studied the hemodynamic effect of graded gravity (g) increments from 10° headdown (— 0.17g) to 70° headup (+ 0.94 g) tilt on young (20 to 29 years), middle-aged (40 to 49 years) and older (60 to 69 years), healthy men. Thoracic blood volume and ventricular stroke volume decreased linearly with increasing g levels. Heart rates and diastolic pressures increased, but only at the higher g levels; however, the increases were significantly less in the 60-to 69-yearold men. The results indicate that (a) thoracic blood volume and ventricular stroke volume are remarkably gravity dependent over the entire tilt range in all groups, (b) the lesser heart rate and diastolic pressure responses in older participants are significant circulatory handicaps and may contribute to the increased incidence of postural hypotension in elderly persons, (c) the sharp rise in vascular resistance at lower + g levels (when arterial pressure is unchanged) suggests that cardiopulmonary reflexes play an important role in human circulatory adjustment to the headup posture. This content is only available as a PDF. © 1987 The Gerontological Society of America

Morris, John, C.;Rubin, Eugene, H.;Morris, Edward, J.;Mandel, Stephen, A.

doi: 10.1093/geronj/42.4.412pmid: 3598089

Abstract In a longitudinal study of senile dementia and healthy aging, the occurrence of serious falls was examined in participants with senile dementia of the Alzheimer's type (SDAT) (n = 44) and in cognitively healthy elderly control participants (n = 56) over a 4-year period. Falls occurred in 36% of SDAT individuals versus 11% of controls. The higher frequency of falls in demented participants was not explained by greater neurologic deficit nor by increased drug use compared with controls. However, males with sdat who reported falls, had higher mean blood pressures and were more likely to be medicated than males with SDAT who did not fall. These differences were not observed in women. Falls in SDAT participants were associated with an increased rate of institutionalization. SDAT is an important risk factor for serious falls, and falls are associated with loss of independence in demented patients. This content is only available as a PDF. © 1987 The Gerontological Society of America

Zacks, Rose, T.;Hasher,, Lynn;Doren,, Bonnie;Hamm,, Verneda;Attig, Mary, S.

doi: 10.1093/geronj/42.4.418pmid: 3598090

Abstract The usefulness of a general capacity model for predicting age differences in memory for critical information in text was assessed. Passages that either explicitly stated or implied, in either a predictable or unpredictable manner, a fact central to understanding were read to study participants. No age differences were obtained in the recall of explicit central facts, but the younger adults outperformed the older adults when these facts had to be inferred. A revised capacity model, which implicates encoding processes in the breakdown of inference formation, is outlined to account for these and other data. This content is only available as a PDF. © 1987 The Gerontological Society of America