Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Older academics'

This item is only available in print in the UCF Libraries. If this is your Honors Thesis, you can help us make it available online for use by researchers around the world by following the instructions on the distribution consent form at http://library.ucf.edu/Systems/DigitalInitiatives/DigitalCollections/InternetDistributionConsentAgreementForm.pdf You may also contact the project coordinator, Kerri Bottorff, at kerri.bottorff@ucf.edu for more information.<br>Bachelors<br>Sciences<br>Psychology

Over half (57%) of the women diagnosed with breast cancer are age 65 and older. Treatment for breast cancer may exacerbate current chronic illnesses and/or cause multiple treatment related side effects such as insomnia, fatigue, decreased physical functioning, alterations in body image, poorer quality of life, and changes in psychosocial health. While many women with breast cancer experience these changes, research suggests that older women have different needs than younger women and may not always benefit from interventions. The purpose of this integrative review of literature was to evaluate interventions designed to improve treatment related side effects in female breast cancer survivors age 65 years and older. This review of literature was conducted using CINAHL, PsycINFO, and MEDLINE databases using various key terms. Inclusion criteria consisted of peer reviewed research articles, women who have experience breast cancer, interventions directed at decreasing side effects, and research articles written in the English language.While using these search criteria, no interventions were found therefore, the age group was lowered to include women 50 and older. Eleven studies met the inclusion criteria. Interventions addressed a variety of treatment related side effects and were delivered in multiple formats. The findings indicate that interventions resulted in a significant improvement in sleep and fatigue, physical function, perception of body image, psychosocial health, and quality of life for older women with breast cancer. While these findings are positive, the literature did not break down results based on developmental stage or "older" age groups. Currently, there is limited literature that examines interventions in women age 65 and older, this may limit nurses' ability to suggest successful interventions to some of our oldest cancer survivors.<br>B.S.N.<br>Bachelors<br>Nursing<br>Nursing

The social transition to older adulthood can be challenging for elderly individuals and their families when isolation poses a threat to well-being. Technology is currently providing younger generations with an opportunity to stay in contact with social partners through the use of online social networking tools; it is unclear whether older adults are also taking advantage of this communication method. This study explored how older adults are experiencing online social networking. Specifically, this research addressed how older adults' attitudes towards online social networking are related to their expertise in using computers and the internet for this purpose. A survey methodological approach was employed whereby older adults aged 65 and over were recruited from senior centers across the Central Florida area to fill out a series of questionnaires. The Computer Aversion, Attitudes, and Familiarity Index (CAAFI) was used to measure attitudes and expertise with computers. The Internet Technical Literacy and Social Awareness Scale was used to measure interest and expertise with the internet. The relationship between older adults' use of online social networking and their attitudes and expertise was also investigated. Finally, social connectedness, (measured using the Social Connectedness Scale) and subjective well-being (measured using the Satisfaction with Life Scale) were measured to explore whether older adults receive a psychosocial benefit from using online social networking. Findings showed expertise and attitudes scores were strongly correlated, and these scores were also predictive of online social networking use. The results of this study may help social service providers for elderly individuals begin to understand the many factors associated with using new forms of technology.<br>B.S.<br>Bachelors<br>Sciences<br>Psychology

The effects of postural threat on postural control among younger and older adults were examined. Fifteen younger (YA;8 females and 7 males; mean age 22.00 + 2.17 years) and fifteen older (OA; 10 females and 5 males; mean age 69.98 + 5.35 years) adults performed quiet standing and forward reaching under four conditions of postural threat. Postural threat was achieved by the manipulation of height (low(0.43m) and high (1.4m)) and stepping constraint (unconstrained (0.91m from the anterior edge of an elevating platform) or constrained (0m from the anterior edge of an elevating platform). Younger and older adults demonstrated conservative modifications to postural control that may reduce the likelihood of a fall in tenuous conditions. Interestingly, age-related differences emerged in the mechanism of achieving these accomodations to postural threat. Our findings indicate that older adults may adopt more proximal postural strategies under condtion of postural threat. The shift toward a more proximal postural strategies under conditions of postural threat. The shift toward a more proximal control of balance may reflect the age-related declines in the ability to control the movement of the trunk. Although these adaptations appear benefical to older adults, the possibility exists for detrimental consequences to postural recovery following a balance disturbance.<br>xi, 173 leaves : ill. ; 29 cm.

This item is only available in print in the UCF Libraries. If this is your Honors Thesis, you can help us make it available online for use by researchers around the world by following the instructions on the distribution consent form at http://library.ucf.edu/Systems/DigitalInitiatives/DigitalCollections/InternetDistributionConsentAgreementForm.pdf You may also contact the project coordinator, Kerri Bottorff, at kerri.bottorff@ucf.edu for more information.<br>Bachelors<br>Arts and Sciences<br>Psychology

Purpose: To recognize and raise awareness about the psychosocial status and health outcomes in older adults living with HIV. Method: A literature search was conducted from the disciplines of nursing and medicine using the CINAHL, PubMed, and Medline databases. Inclusion criteria: articles exploring older adults who are HIV positive and factors related to depression, suicide and available healthcare resources. Exclusion criteria: articles including individuals under the age of 50 infected with HIV/AIDS and articles focused entirely on physiologic principles of HIV/AIDS. Results: In older adults living with HIV/AIDS, the literature review disclosed a comprehensive gap between identifying this age group as 'at risk', lack of communication between health care providers and older adults concerning sexual activity and/or status, and recurring psychosocial components related to lack of resources and standards of care among older adults living with HIV/AIDS. An unbalanced amount of research has focused on the care and prevention of HIV/AIDS among young adult populations, while a limited amount of research is geared toward detection, prevention and interventions for HIV/AIDS in older adults. Findings suggest that HIV/AIDS is a syndrome of bias based on age and/or gender by health care providers. Solutions to this epidemic must begin with an all inclusive plan that investigates the prevention, identification and intervention across the lifespan. Discussion: As the country ages and the population of older adults increase, nurses will encounter an increasing number of older adults living with HIV/AIDS. In order to competently provide quality care to older adults with a positive HIV/AIDS status, further research is needed to bridge the gap of literature connecting psychosocial aspects of care and accompanying health outcomes.<br>B.S.N.<br>Bachelors<br>Nursing<br>Nursing

Merging from on-ramps to mainline traffic is one of the most challenging driving maneuvers on freeways. The challenges are further heightened for older drivers, as they are known to have longer perception-reaction times, larger acceptance gaps, and slower acceleration rates. In this research, VISSIM, a microscopic traffic simulation software, was used to evaluate the influence of the aging drivers on the operations of a typical diamond interchange. First, drivers were recorded on video cameras as they negotiated joining the mainline traffic from an on-ramp acceleration lane at two sites along I-75 in Southwest Florida. Several measures of effectiveness were collected including speeds, gaps, and location of entry to the mainline lanes. This information was used as either model input or for verification purposes. Two VISSIM models were developed for each site – one for the existing conditions and verification, and another for a sensitivity analysis, varying the percentage of older drivers and Level of Service (from A to E), to determine their influence on ramp operational characteristics. According to the results, there was a significant difference in driving behavior between older, middle-aged, and younger drivers, based on the measures of effectiveness analyzed in this study. Additionally, as the level of service and percentage of older adult motorists increased, longer queues were observed with slower speeds on the acceleration lanes and the right-most travel lane of the mainline traffic.

The study examined how college students perceive older versus younger women based on their tattoo status (i.e., no tattoo, feminine tattoo, or masculine tattoo). A randomly assigned sample of 376 responded to a survey involving a 2 X 3 experiment designed to assess the impact of age (older versus younger) and tattoo status on four dependent measures: credibility, promiscuity, and attractiveness. Results indicate that older and younger women are perceived differently depending on their tattoo status. Not wearing a tattoo may lead to a more favorable perception of older women than wearing one, but wearing a feminine tattoo may engender a more favorable impression of older women than having a masculine tattoo. In contrast, avoiding to wear a tattoo may not be as helpful for the perception of younger women as it is for older women. Also, while younger women may be rewarded for gender role transgression with respect to tattoo status this is not so for older women.<br>ID: 030423036; System requirements: World Wide Web browser and PDF reader.; Mode of access: World Wide Web.; Thesis (M.A.)--University of Central Florida, 2011.; Includes bibliographical references (p. 45-49).<br>M.A.<br>Masters<br>Communication<br>Sciences

Muscle function is determined by structure and morphology at the architectural level. In response to resistance training, older adults have demonstrated that the neuromuscular system has a substantial adaptability, which may compensate for muscle size and quality and lead to improved functional capacities and higher quality of life. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of six weeks of progressive resistance exercise on muscle morphology and architecture in healthy older adults. METHODS: Twenty- five healthy men and women were randomly assigned to either six weeks of progressive resistance training (RT) (n=13; age = 71.08 ± 6.75, BMI = 28.5 ± 5.22) or to serve as a control (CON) (n = 12; age = 70.17 ± 5.58, BMI = 27.52 ± 5.6). Fat mass (FM), lean mass (LM), and lean thigh mass (LTM) were evaluated using dual x-ray absorptiometry. Lower body strength was estimated by predicting maximal knee extensor strength (1RM). Muscle quality (MQ) was evaluated as strength per unit mass (kg/kg). Cross-sectional area (CSA), muscle thickness (MT), fascicle length (Lf), pennation angle (cosΘ), and echo intensity (EI) of the rectus femoris (RF) and vastus lateralis (VL) were collected using B-mode ultrasound and extended field of view (FOV) ultrasound. EI was quantified using grayscale analysis software. Strength per unit of echo intensity (REI) was determined by dividing 1RM by EI of the thigh. Physiological cross-sectional area (PCSA) was calculated as the ratio of (CSA x cosΘ) / (EI x Lf). A 2x2 (group [exercise vs. control] x time [pre vs. post]) repeated measures ANOVA was used to identify group differences and group x time interactions and stepwise regression was performed to assess variables related to strength. RESULTS: 1RM increased by 31.9% (p ≤ 0.01) in the RT group and was significantly correlated to PCSA of the thigh (r = .579; p = .003) at baseline. MQ increased 31.4% (p ≤ 0.01) in the RT group consistent with an REI increase of 33.3% (p ≤ 0.01). There were no significant changes in LTM in either group. VL CSA increased 7.4%, (p ≤ 0.05) and demonstrated a significant interaction (p ≤ 0.05) in the RT group. There were no significant changes in the CON group for 1RM, MQ, REI or VL CSA. PCSA demonstrated a significant (p ≤ 0.05) group x time interaction but did not significantly change in either group. EI did not significantly change in the RT or CON groups. CONCLUSION: Calculated PCSA of the thigh assessed by ultrasound was related to the force producing capacity of muscle and demonstrated a significant interaction following resistance training. Short term resistance exercise training was effective in increasing 1RM, muscle quality as relative strength, muscle quality as relative echo intensity, and muscle morphology, but not EI. In addition, ultrasonography appears to be a safe, feasible, informative and sensitive clinical technique to aid in our understanding of muscle strength, function, and quality.<br>M.S.<br>Masters<br>Child, Family, and Community Sciences<br>Education and Human Performance<br>Sport and Exercise Science; Applied Exercise Physiology

This qualitative study uses interviews to examine factors explaining why 20 elderly individuals from a variety of occupations and still living in the community independently did or did not exercise. Within the limits of this qualitative study, the reasons elderly participants gave for avoiding exercise included fear of injury, joint pain, poor health, complications from various degenerative diseases, and a lack of enjoyment of exercise. The reasons for exercising included necessity due to post-heart attack motivation, work-site exercise program or equipment availability, opportunity to habituate work-related tasks, spouse support, history of exercise experience, ability to exercise without injury, enjoyment of family outings, and an appreciation of the enjoyment of exercise.<br>Ph.D.<br>Curriculum and Instruction<br>Education<br>Curriculum and Instruction

With medical advancement and technology, generations are living longer. The process of aging is accompanied by development of chronic disease, reduced physical function, and increased risk of mortality. Older adults do not meet dietary requirements for fruits and vegetables due to lack of access, early satiety, socioeconomic factors, etc. Without proper attainment of fruit and vegetable recommendations, older adults are placed at risk of chronic disease. Interventions exist to help bridge the gap between older adult nutrition and currently established dietary guidelines. Built environments, such as community gardens, have received attentions in the public health arena as a successful way to engage the older adult population with benefits ranging from improved dietary behaviors to increased socializations and improved mental health. Many services for older adults are financially supported through the Older Americans Act. Interventions between community and academic entities require collaborative effort of the researchers at the university, the community members, as well as cooperative extension. Successful interventions engage all levels of the socioeconomic model. Engagement of all program stakeholders as well as clear communication and group collaboration serve as critical necessities in supporting a sustainable intervention of this kind.

Age-related deficits in muscle mass, strength, and function place an increased burden of work on existing skeletal muscle and may lead to early onset of neuromuscular fatigue (NMF) during activities of daily living. Resistance exercise (RE) is the proven method for improving neuromuscular function in healthy older adults. PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of 6 weeks of RE on the NMF threshold as well as strength and functional performance in older adults. METHODS: Twenty-four older adults were randomly assigned to 6 weeks of RE (EXE; n = 12; age 72 ± 6.3 y; BMI 28.4 kg/m2) or control (CONT; n = 12; age 70.3 ± 5.6 y; BMI 27.6 kg/m2). Body fat percent (BF%), lean mass (LM), and fat mass (FM) were measured using DEXA and participants performed a discontinuous cycle ergometer test, physical working capacity at fatigue threshold (PWCFT), to determine the onset of NMF. Functional performance was assessed by time to complete 5 chair rises (CHAIR) and walk an 8-foot course (WALK). Lower body strength was assessed by predicted 1-RM leg extension (1RM). Two-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA; time [PRE, POST] x group [EXE and CONT]) and magnitude based inferences were used to compare dependent variables. RESULTS: RE significantly increased 1RM (35%; p = 0.001) and CHAIR (20%; p = 0.047). RE had a likely beneficial effect on WALK (15%) and a possibly beneficial effect on PWCFT (14%). There were no significant changes to LM or FM, however, women in EXE significantly decreased BF% (p = 0.020). CONCLUSION: Results suggest that RE improves measures of strength and functional performance and possibly the onset of NMF in older adults.<br>M.S.<br>Masters<br>Child, Family, and Community Sciences<br>Education and Human Performance<br>Sport and Exercise Science; Applied Exercise Physiology

Over 5 million older adults with diabetes are hospitalized each year. Though typically not the index condition that leads to hospitalization, diabetes control often decompensates during the course of an admission and necessitates changes in home self-management plans. The specific transitional care needs of older adults with diabetes have been largely unstudied. Transition theory provided the guiding framework for this research and proposes that each transition is a complex process created by the continuous interaction of personal, community, and societal-level conditions that facilitate or inhibit the health of a transition. Hospitalization has been described as a series of three successive, interrelated transitions. The aims of this study were to determine whether personal and community transition conditions impacted the early and intermediate post-discharge outcomes in a sample of older adults with diabetes. A simultaneous quantitative/qualitative mixed method design was used to identify factors that impacted the home recovery transition experiences in a sample of 96 older adults with a mean age of 75 years. A supplementary content analysis of free-response data gathered during administration of the Post-Discharge Coping Difficulty Scale (PDCDS) clarified difficulties encountered by elders and caregivers during in the first 30 days following discharge. Four overarching themes emerged: “the daily stuff is difficult”; “engineering care at home is difficult”; “life is stressful” and “difficulty managing complex health problems”. Difficulties managing a complex medication regimen, regulating blood glucose, and managing a non-diabetes chronic health problem such as hypertension and chronic lung disease were subthemes that emerged during qualitative data analyses. These subthemes were transposed into discrete nominal level variables and served as additional indicators of post-discharge coping difficulty in the descriptive correlational core component of the research project. Participants in this study who experienced an event of recidivism had lower pre-discharge assessments of readiness on the Readiness for Hospital Discharge Scale (RHDS) (t = 2.274, df = 48, p =.028). Higher PDCDS scores were observed in patients who experienced an event of recidivism within 30 days of discharge (t = -3.363, df=24.7, p = .003) and also in respondents who described difficulties with managing medications, controlling diabetes, and managing a chronic illness. Binary logistic regression was used to identify factors that may predict recidivism risk. No condition-specific predictor variables were identified. A statistically significant three-variable model (X2 = 26.737, df = 3, p < .001) revealed that PDCDS scores at 7 days (Wald X2 =3.671, df = 1, p =.050), PDCDS scores at 30 days (Wald X2 = 6.723, df = 1, p =.010), and difficulty managing a chronic health condition (Wald X2 = 8.200, df = 1, p =.004) were predictive of an event of recidivism within 30 days of discharge. Difficulty managing a chronic health problem other than diabetes was particularly predictive of recidivism. The nurse's skill in delivering discharge education was a factor in limiting early post-discharge difficulties. Elders with residual information needs on the day of discharge as measured by scores the Quality of Discharge Teaching Scale (QDTS) reported a lower readiness for discharge (r = -.314, p = .003) and experienced greater difficulties with early post-discharge coping (r =. 288, p = .023). Greater satisfaction with the post-discharge transition was noted in participants with higher QDTS scores (r = .444, p <.001). Outcomes of the hospital-to-home transition experience were impacted by a variety of personal, hospital, and community factors. Findings of this study suggest that there is a need to better understand the sequential nature of the home recovery transition and the fluid needs of older adults during this high-risk phase of care. The environments in which older adults receive post-discharge care are complex and need to be thoroughly considered when planning the post-discharge transition. Metrics of institutional performance of transitional care practices need to extend beyond events to recidivism and include evaluations of post-discharge coping and transition satisfaction. The nurse as the primary provider of discharge education has the potential to significantly promote positive transition outcomes for older adults and their family care providers.<br>Ph.D.<br>Doctorate<br>Nursing<br>Nursing<br>Nursing

This study evaluated the effectiveness of the solution-focused approach in addressing academic, motivational, social and emotional needs of children with reading problems. Fourteen children attending remedial reading programs were matched on age and randomly assigned into the intervention and the control condition. Children's literacy skills, reading motivation and practice, as well as their self-esteem and psychoemotional functioning, were measured before and after the program. The intervention group received five 40 minute solution focused sessions that addressed participants' reading strategies, attitudes and practices. The control group comprised the homework support condition. Effect size analyses were conducted to evaluate the results. Results revealed that children in the intervention group showed growth in their listening comprehension and reading fluency skills at post-test relative to control participants. Furthermore, participants in the intervention condition improved in several aspects of their reading motivation and self-esteem and showed better attitudes to school and a decrease in anxiety at post-test. Children in the control condition increased their spelling and phonological awareness skills and reported an improvement in social self-perceptions and emotional functioning. Results of the study are discussed with reference to the effectiveness of the solution focused approach in addressing the complex array of needs of students with learning disabilities.<br>Cette étude a évalué l'efficacité de l'approche thérapeutique orientée vers les solutions en s'adressant aux besoins académiques, motivationnels, sociaux et émotionnels d'enfants ayant des déficiences de lecture. Quatorze enfants participant aux programmes de rattrapage en lecture ont été jumelés selon l'âge et ont été répartis en groupes d'intervention et de contrôle de façon aléatoire. La capacité de lecture, la motivation de lire et les habitudes de lecture, ainsi que leur estime de soi et fonctionnement psycho-émotionnel, ont été mesurés avant et après le programme. Le groupe d'intervention a reçu cinq sessions de thérapie orientées vers les solutions de 40 minutes chaque. Il est adressé aux stratégies de lecture des participants, leurs attitudes et habitudes. Les enfants dans le groupe de contrôle ont reçu du soutien dans leurs devoirs. Des analyses des indices d'efficacité ont été conduites afin d'évaluer les résultats. Ces résultats ont démontré que les enfants dans le groupe d'intervention ont amélioré leur compréhension orale et leurs aptitudes de lecture orale courante. De plus, ces participants ont amélioré plusieurs aspects de leur motivation de lecture et d'estime de soi. Ils ont démontré de meilleures attitudes envers l'école. D'autre part, les enfants dans le groupe de contrôle ont amélioré leurs aptitudes d'écriture et conscience phonologique et ont montré une amélioration d'estime de soi sociale et fonctionnement émotionnel. Les résultats de l'étude sont discutés par rapport à l'efficacité de l'approche orientée vers les solutions en s'adressant aux divers besoins des élèves ayant des diffi

This study used a mixed qualitative-quantitative design to describe attachment in a sample of one-hundred fifty-four healthy community-living older adults. Life-span development and attachment theory combined to define the philosophical and theoretical orientation that guided the investigation. The idea of an "attachment structure" was conceptualized by the investigator to frame attachment--an approach that allowed attachment to involve multiple attachment objects from any or all of six different attachment object types (things, ideas, people, groups of people, animals, or places). The purpose of this study was to explore and describe the attachment structure as it presented in, and developed in later life. In phase one of the study, 154 older adults were administered a questionnaire designed to elicit descriptive information about the newly conceptualized "attachment structure". This information was used to guide theoretical sampling in the qualitative, second phase. In phase two, a grounded theory methodology was used to explore the developmental changes that occurred in attachment structures in later life. Sixteen subjects from phase one were selected, based on their responses to the quantitative phase, as those subjects most likely to advance the theory developing focus of this study. Analysis supported the attachment structure as a meaningful representation of socio-emotional development in later life. The existence of multiple attachment objects of multiple object types was supported by both quantitative and qualitative data. Significantly, in addition to close family and friends, subjects reported attachments to ideas like independence and freedom. A grounded process called "reconfiguring" was identified from qualitative analysis that described how older people make changes in their attachment structures to maintain a sense of security in the face of diminishing contact with attachment objects. Two pathways, the structural stimulation pathway and the reconfiguring pathway, describe the dynamics of the attachment structure. The reconfiguring pathway was identified as a developmental resource of aging--a process available to older people to address developmental challenges in aging that affect one's quality and quantity of interaction with attachment objects.

This item is only available in print in the UCF Libraries. If this is your Honors Thesis, you can help us make it available online for use by researchers around the world by following the instructions on the distribution consent form at http://library.ucf.edu/Systems/DigitalInitiatives/DigitalCollections/InternetDistributionConsentAgreementForm.pdf You may also contact the project coordinator, Kerri Bottorff, at kerri.bottorff@ucf.edu for more information.<br>Bachelors<br>Business Administration<br>Accounting

Global populations are aging and by the turn of the century elderly populations will have increased significantly. The United Nations predicts that by the year 2025 the elderly will constitute 25 percent of the global population (UN Chronicle, 1988). Specifically, the global population of people over 60 years of age was 380 million in 1980, is expected to rise to 610 million in the year 2000 and will reach an alarming billion plus by 2025 (UN chronicle, 1988). The UN Chronicle anticipates faster increases in the 80 plus age group with 34 million in 1980, 58 million in 2000 and 114 million in the year 2025. The Canadian population is not excluded in the United Nations predictions. Canadians are also growing older and grayer. The "graying of Canada" is a phrase frequently coined by the media, in the latter years of the past decade. It is predicted that by the year 2025 approximately one in five Canadians will be over the age of 65 (Cooper, 1989). Senior citizens, in Canada, are now being subcategorized into the "young-old", the "old-old", the "well-ederly" and the "frail-elderly" (Cooper, 1989, p.114). The new era of Canadian seniors boasts a philosophy of living longer and dying younger (at heart). The UN Chronicle suggest that the trend towards aging could significanlty affect a society's development potential, particularly if dependency rates among the elderly are high. Eight percent of older Canadians reside in long term care institutions compared with five percent of older Americans (Tamarkin, 1988). This may suggest that Canadian dependency rates among the elderly population is higher than the United States of America or it may reflect the availability of programs specific to the elderly in Canada. Provincial governments within Canada are attempting to decrease dependency rates among the elderly by intitiating health care programs which will promote individual independence. Present day long term care facilities encourage independence among the elderly, replacing the once predominant philosophy of promoting individual dependency. This theoretical framework attempts to decrease dependency rates within long term care institutions while promoting personal independence, decision making autonomy and lifestyle flexibility. The promotion of the above named concepts assumes that the institutionalized adult's quality of life is enhanced and maintained. The provincial government of Alberta, specifically the Department of Health or Alberta Health, has in the last decade researched and implemented program changes in long term care facilities. These initiatives have had a significant impact on the delivery of care, services and programs provided to the instiutionalized elderly of Alberta. Policy and program changes introduced at the nursing home level have greatly improved and enhanced the resources and quality of existing health care services provided to the institutionalized elderly. In 1985 the revised Nursing Home Act of Alberta was introduced. This document governs all nursing homes or long term care facilities within the province. Professional staff was increased in these facilities to better meet the demands of an aging instiutionalized elderly population. The previous Nursing Home Act had established minimum standards of care and services to be delivered to the elderly but the revised 1985 Nursing Home Act further developed these standards in an effort to increase or maintain the individual's quality of life within an institution and to further promote independence amont the institutionalized elderly. Alberta Health then introduced, in 1987, a classification system for all nursing homes. The ultimate goal of the classification system is to fund facilities in a more equitable manner taking into account individual facility care requirements. For example, a nursing home with heavy or intense care requirements will be funded at a higher rate compared with facilities which have light or minimal care requirements. The classification system determines staffing patterns for the nursing department within long term care facilities. For facilities with above average care requirements the non-professional nursing staff was increased. The professional nursing staff ratio was increased from 17 percent to 22 percent. Professional and non-professional nursing staff was not decreased in any facility. The provincial Department of Health has made a concerted effort to improve the quality of life for elderly individuals residing within Alberta institutions. Medicine Hat, a southeastern Alberta community, has a total population of 42,290 (Census Summary Part3, 1988). The Census Summary (1988) explains that 14 percent of Medicine Hat's total population consists of adults over the age of 65 years. This is much higher than the provincial percentage of 8.2 percent. The Medicine Hat News (1990) reported that in the early months of 1990, 6,000 of the city's residents were 65 years of age and older but that number will soar to 7,200 by the year 2000 with half of these individuals 75 years of age and older. As the past Director of Nursing in a nursing home in Medicine Hat, I am most concerned with meeting the needs of the institutionalized elderly. The revised Alberta Nursing Home Act of 1985 and classification systme of 1987 have created the resources within a nursing home to realistically meet the complex and varying health care needs of older individuals. According to Maslow's (1970) theory of human motivation a hierarchy of human needs exists. The beginning point or basis for motivation theory is the meeting of human physiological needs such as food, clothing and shelter. Maslow's hierarchy of needs then continues with the human need for safety, love and belonging, esteem and lastly, the need for self-actualization. Individual learning experiences promote and meet one's esteem needs. However, Maslow proposed that esteem needs cannot be met unless those needs below it on the hierarchy scale are initially met and maintained. Nursing homes do meet the basic survival or physiological needs of their residents. These individuals are fed, clother and sheltered. Safety needs of the instiutionalized elderly are met by the institution in terms of 'security, structure, order and protection" (Maslow, 1970, p. 39). The institutional setting may not adequately meet the individual's need for love and belonging. This can be attempted, collectively, on a group basis but individual loneliness may prevail. It is hoped that these needs can be met with the assistance of the individuals' family or friends. If love and belonging needs are adequately fulfilled then Maslow acknowledges that esteem needs may be attained. Esteem needs include the desire "for self-respect or self-esteem and for the esteem of others" (Maslow, 1970, p. 45). The long term care facility may attempt to meet an individuals' esteem needs by providing learning opportunities which will promote "individual recognition, achievement, mastery, competence, confidence, independence, status, importance, appreciation and dignity" (p. 45). The meeting of an individual's esteem needs may or may not lead one to strive for self-actualization which, according to Maslow is the epitome of being. The need for interdependence is perhaps a higher need than self-actualization. The need for interdependence suggest that each individual or groups of individuals must rely on the other for their co-existence. Interdependence is crucial within long term care settings as residents, their familiees and/or significant others and the institution strive for an environment of mutuality. Historically, the physical, social, spiritual and mental well being of the institutionalized elderly was a goal most long term care facilities strived for. This conceptual framework surmises that learning needs are a part of the individual's mental and social needs. Nursing homes contain several departments which address specific needs of the resident. For instance, the nursing, dietary, phsiotherapy and occupational therapy departments ensure that the physical needs of the institutionalized elderly are assessed and addressed by the recreational department within a long term care facility. In Medicine Hat, community senior citizen centers as well as the local college have provided learning opportunities for older adults who reside in a community setting. However, long term care facilities have not truly addressed the issue of providing learning sessions for the lucid institutionalized elderly. Perhaps this is due, to some extent, to certain attitudes espoused by society in general, towards aging and the institutionalized elderly. Nursing homes may be perceived by some members of society as the final resting place for the living. Inhabitants of nursing homes may be perceived as a collective group rather than individuals with uniquely varying personalities, preferences, desire and emotions. The institutionalized elderly are individuals who wish to live their lives as do otje members of society, with definition, purpose and the desire to be recognized. Society has in the past negatively stereotyped aging and has held an infatuation with youth which has contributed to the ideology that aging was not an important process to be studied (Groombridge, 1982). However, with the realization that the elderly population is increasing significantly researchers are becoming more interested in understanding aging as it constitutes a complex process which involves biological, psychological, social, political and economic factors. According to McDaniel (1986) aging is poorly understood at present but is receiving greater attention and an increasing amount of research has rectnely been intiated on the subject. In my opinion, research initiatives concerning the institutionalized elderly are long overdue. Long term care facilities are now placing greater emphasis on the goals of resident individuality, personal autonomy and institutional flexibility with regard to the reidents' lifestyles. Long term care professionals are now motivated to inquire and seek clarification from their clientele in an effort to achieve this new goal. An increasing elderly population has prompted researchers to consider new and unexplored areas of critical thinking concerning elderhood. The identification of learning needs among the lucid institutionalized elderly is an unexplored area of elderhood. Past research on learning needs among the elderly indicates that gaps do exist in the research. Further studies are required in order to understand and plan future learning programs for the lucid instiutionalized individual.<br>ii, 151 leaves : ill. ; 29 cm.

A qualitative design was used to explore the use of spirituality and prayer by older adults who have chronic illness and reside in a rural community. Thirteen individuals responded to a flyer soliciting participation in a study of the use of spirituality as part of health care. Participants were at least 60 years of age, had at least one chronic illness and resided in North Central Florida. Twelve participants then responded to six open-ended questions based on an adaption of an instrument used by Dr. Shevon Harvey in her doctoral dissertation. The data was analyzed to identify themes and answer four research questions. The four research questions were 1) how do older adults living with chronic illness describe spirituality? 2) how do older adults use spirituality while living with chronic illness? 3) how can health care providers assist older individuals with chronic illness to meet their spiritual needs?, and 4) do patients feel that their spiritual needs are being addressed during their outpatient health care? The interview responses demonstrated that several different practices, including prayer and scripture readings as well as adherence to medication, diet, and exercise recommendations were used as coping mechanisms by study participants. The majority of participants want their health care providers to address spirituality and/or refer them to spiritual advisors for counseling. The study showed that some participants stated that their spiritual needs were met, but there were some who did not want spirituality addressed in the outpatient setting.; Four themes were identified, which suggest that 1) spiritual practices were frequently used coping measure for these individual with chronic illness, 2) health care providers are supportive of their patients' spirituality, 3) participants with chronic illness consider adherence to medication, diet, and exercise a coping measure, and 4) participants with chronic illness want their health care providers to recognize their spiritual needs. The findings indicated that individuals who self identify as individuals from whom spiritual life is important and who have chronic illnesses and have spiritual needs that can be addressed in the outpatient setting. The findings also demonstrated use of non spiritual coping measures and the importance of health care provider's acceptance of spirituality in this specific population. Recommendations for further research are made.<br>ID: 029808782; System requirements: World Wide Web browser and PDF reader.; Mode of access: World Wide Web.; Thesis (D.N.P.)--University of Central Florida, 2011.; Includes bibliographical references (p. 68-70).<br>D.N.P.<br>Doctorate<br>Nursing<br>Nursing Practice

This study sought to explore the challenges faced by older workers who do not fit the age-type of their jobs and how older workers adapt to overcome those challenges. Specifically, I surveyed a national sample of 227 workers 50 years of age and older, in a wide variety of jobs, on measures of perceived age discrimination and adaptation behaviors. I found that fit, as determined by career timetables theory, but not prototype matching theory, successfully predicted perceived age discrimination. Specifically, more age discrimination was perceived when fewer older workers occupied a job. Additionally, multiple regression analysis showed that career timetables theory, prototype matching theory, and measures of perceived discrimination interacted to predict adaptation behaviors. That is, older workers made more efforts appear younger at work when they perceived age discrimination in jobs occupied by fewer older workers and older women expressed greater desires to appear younger at work when they perceived age discrimination in jobs viewed as more appropriate for younger workers. Although older workers made a wide variety of efforts to appear younger at work, from changing the way they dressed to undergoing surgical procedures, the adaptation efforts believed to be the most effective against age discrimination were more oriented toward enhancing job performance than one's appearance. It is especially troubling that greater perceived age discrimination was found in young-typed jobs (than in old-typed jobs) given that the number of older workers occupying young-typed jobs is expected to rapidly grow in the near future and perceived discrimination is associated with mental and physical consequences for older adults. Understanding effective adaptations to age discrimination is a valuable first step in helping older workers overcome the disadvantages they may face in the workplace, especially when they occupy young-typed jobs. Implications for theory and research are discussed.<br>Ph.D.<br>Doctorate<br>Psychology<br>Sciences<br>Psychology; Industrial and Organizational

The purpose of this thesis was to compare the contributions of attentional resources relevant to postural control between fall-fearful and non-fearful older adults. Levels of postural challenge and instructions of task prioritization were manipulated to obtain this goal. Results indicated that fall-fearful subjects demonstrated a reorganization of attentional resources when challenge to upright standing was imposed. Additionally, only non-fearful subjects demonstrated flexibility in the prioritization of the cognitive task. However both fall-fearful and non-fearful subjects demonstrated flexibility in the prioritization of the postural task. Findings suggested that fall-fearful older adults reorganize the allocation of attentional resources differently than non-fearful counterparts, potentially placing them at greater risk for falling as their awareness of the external environment and threats to balance may be compromised.<br>xii, 80 leaves : ill. ; 29 cm

The research study evaluated the effectiveness of a behavioral intervention for sleep maintenance insomnia in older adults. Twenty-two elders who spent 60 minutes or more awake during the night on a minimum of three nights per week for at least six months received treatment. The study utilized an experimental design with repeated measures. The subjects were randomly assigned to either an immediate or delayed (waiting list control) treatment group. Subjects completed daily sleep diaries and several other measures. The behavioral intervention was a treatment package consisting of sleep restriction therapy, stimulus control instructions, sleep education, and an optional daytime nap. A six-week treatment program consisting of four weekly classes and two weekly telephone interventions was implemented. Between and within group differences were identified using repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA). Post-hoc analyses were performed to identify significant differences. The between group analysis of sleep behaviors revealed an improvement in wake after sleep onset and sleep efficiency for the immediate treatment group. After intervention, the delayed treatment group improved on the same sleep behaviors as well as total sleep time. The therapeutic improvement was maintained at the three month follow-up. Sleep-wake impairment, dysfunctional cognitions, and presleep anxiety were reduced for both groups. The mood measures indicated that the subjects were not depressed prior to treatment and remained nondepressed following intervention. State and trait anxiety levels decreased. Favorable ratings for therapy evaluation were received. The majority of subjects felt they were compliant with treatment and had corresponding decreases in wake after sleep onset. In addition to statistical significance, the clinical significance of the study was established. Insomnia in older adults can be effectively treated using nonpharmacological intervention. Replication of the study is warranted as well as analysis to examine moderating factors affecting treatment outcomes. An effort should be made to increase the demographic diversity of subjects in future studies. Alternative treatment implementation modalities and settings other than the community should be considered for further research.

The purpose of this thesis was to investigate the influence of postural anxiety on the capacity for Flexible Resource Allocation (FRA) among younger (YA) and older adults (OA). Two experiments were conducted to explore (a) the influence of heightened postural anxiety on the flexible allocation of attention among OA and (b) the influence of concurrent postural challenge and postural anxiety on FRA among YA. Participants performed a postural task concurrently to a cognitive task according to three instructional sets directing task priority. Experiment one revealed that FRA was compromised among OA during circumstances of heightened anxiety. This capacity however, remained available among YA. Therefore, for the second experiment I varied the support surface to explore whether the capacity for FRA could be sustained when posture was challenged beyond static stance. Results indicated that YA altered cognitive task performance according to instructional set without compromising postural stability. These findings suggest that even when posture is challenged during heightened postural anxiety, YA maintain the capacity to automatically allocate attention to a postural task while performing a secondary task. Conversely, it seems that heightened postural anxiety strengthens the attentional bias to posture and subsequently compromises FRA among OA. Overall, results from this thesis suggest that the capacity for FRA is age and situation dependent.<br>xi, 107 leaves : ill. ; 29 cm

This study will contribute to existing work–family research by bringing a rich emic understanding of caregivers’ experience with work-eldercare crisis. I adopted Weick’s theory of organizational sensemaking (1995) as method and methodology for this research. I collected data via open-ended, semi-structured interviews with employees who balance full-time employment with caregiving for an elderly person; then I subjected the transcribed texts to a detailed thematic analysis. This analysis helped me identify three main themes that reflect the processes participants use to ‘make sense’ of their experiences. The results of this study suggest that caregivers enact the work environment to attempt creating balance—and to enlist support and assistance—by strategically engaging in interpersonal interactions with others at work about their eldercare activities. They combine past experience with the knowledge obtained from these interactions to develop heuristic scripts, and then use them to enable understanding and guide future behaviour and actions. This study demonstrates that sensemaking is a useful analytical framework through which to examine employees’ experience of the work-family interface. The findings of this research offer insight into the processes involved in the social construction of informal organizational policies; the implications provide a foundation to develop better models of organizational response towards employees’ work-eldercare needs<br>xi, 171 leaves ; 29 cm

This item is only available in print in the UCF Libraries. If this is your Honors Thesis, you can help us make it available online for use by researchers around the world by following the instructions on the distribution consent form at http://library.ucf.edu/Systems/DigitalInitiatives/DigitalCollections/InternetDistributionConsentAgreementForm.pdf You may also contact the project coordinator, Kerri Bottorff, at kerri.bottorff@ucf.edu for more information.<br>Bachelors<br>Health and Public Affairs<br>Nursing

This thesis project explores social constructions of aging women within Women’s Health magazine. There is limited scholarly literature on representations of aging women within popular health/fitness media, such as magazines. The limited current research which does exist suggests that aging women are subjected to negative stereotypes and gendered myths within our societal and cultural values with respect to aging (Vertinsky, 1994). Media representations are strong and pervasive reflections of societal norms and expectations and may impact the way women view themselves. I therefore undertook a Foucaultian discourse analysis of Women’s Health magazine to examine if/how gendered constructions of aging are functioning within representations of health directed to women of all ages. I found that Women’s Health reproduces aging women as useless, failures, problems to be managed, and other to normative femininity. Women’s Health reinforces that aging can and should be managed through the consumption of anti-aging products, procedures, and surgeries endorsed within the magazine.<br>v, 125 leaves ; 29 cm

The purpose of this study was to test one theoretical explanation for elders' perceived current adequacy of everyday remembering, and the antecedent perceptions, values and beliefs, and consequent feelings related to this perception. Fourteen hypotheses, deduced from the theory of subjective forgetfulness in elders (Cromwell, 1991), tested one theoretical explanation for the relationships among: Personal Importance of Remembering, Perceived Seriousness of Forgetting, Perceived Frequency of Forgetting, Belief in a Relationship between Aging and Memory Decline, Belief in a Personal Health Risk for Memory Decline, Perceived Current Adequacy of Everyday Remembering, Distress about Current Forgetting, Concern about Future Forgetting and Self Esteem in elders. Multiple regression analysis of the data obtained from 202 community based elders, age 65 to 97, supported the assertions that perceiving self to forget frequently negatively influenced elders' judgments of their current memory adequacy and increased their distress about current forgetting. Believing that one had risk factors for memory decline influenced the current distress experienced about forgetting, and the level of concern about future memory. Present concerns about forgetting, in response to perceived frequency of forgetting and perceived risks, influenced in part the degree to which the present situation was viewed as a warning sign of potential progressive future decline. Concerns about memory and forgetting influenced elders' level of self esteem. Intriguing differences in the relationships among antecedent perceptions, values and beliefs, and consequent feelings about self were discovered between older and younger elders, and between elders who highly valued remembering and those for whom remembering was of lesser importance. Future research to expand our understanding of the subjective experience of forgetfulness in elders and potential future intervention research to increase perceived memory adequacy and decrease present and future concerns were proposed.

Children develop attitudes at an early age, both positive and negative. Negative attitudes toward the aged can be changed through direct contact between the elderly and through aging education within the curriculum. Children have negative attitudes toward the elderly and the aging process. Direct contact can change these views by providing interaction between children and the elderly while aging education can bring about an awareness of the aging process and of the aged. With aging being an inevitable and important part of being human, it is necessary as well as important for educators to help children develop positive attitudes toward the aged. Activities have been included, integrating aging education within the curriculum focusing on attitudes children have toward the aged, an awareness of aging and the aged and direct interaction.

碩士<br>臺北市立大學<br>休閒運動管理學系碩士在職專班<br>107<br>The purpose of this study was to explore the motivation and leisure benefits to middle-aged and older adults participating in senior academies. The participants of the study, enrolled at five schools in Beitou District and Shilin District of Taipei City, were over 55 years old (mean age =66.49) comprising 51 males and 262 females. The research tool was the revised “Questionnaire on Motivation and Leisure Benefits to Middle-aged and Older Adults Participating in Senior Academies”, which was administered by means of sampling. A total of 325 questionnaires were distributed and 313 valid questionnaires were collected. The data were analyzed by Descriptive Statistics, Independent-Sample T-Test, One-way ANOVA and Pearson’s Basis Correlation. The results showed: 1. As the middle-aged and older people participated in senior academies, there were more women than men (male to female ratio was about 1:4). The majority of students were 66-70 years old, had graduated from colleges and universities, mostly married and had participated in academy classes for more than 2 years. The frequency of participation was mainly twice a week; 2. There were no significant differences in motivation and leisure benefits for senior academy students of different genders, ages, marital status and education levels; 3. The seniority and frequency of participation was significantly positively correlated with the motivation of participants; 4. The seniority and frequency of participation was significantly positively correlated with the leisure benefits to participants; 5. The motivation for senior academy students’ participation was significantly positively correlated with the leisure benefits.The conclusions of the study were as follows: Government-related units should invest significantly in the establishment of senior academies to build a community-based senior education service network aligned with the needs of middle-aged and older adults to promote their healthy well-being, elegant aging, and enjoyment of their later years.

A research report submitted to the faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Medicine in the branch of Internal Medicine. Johannesburg, 2017.<br>In South Africa, very little is known regarding the spectrum of clinical illnesses for which older patients are admitted to hospital. Within this group who are admitted, even less is known of the burden of HIV disease. This study investigated the clinical indications for acute medical admission in adults over the age of 50 years at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital. The study also determined the prevalence of HIV infection of those with HIV, their access and adherence to treatment. Methods: This was a prospective, observational study of patients over 50 years of age who were acutely admitted to the medical wards of Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital (CHBAH) between August 2014 to March 2015. Results: A total of 200 participants 50 years and older were enrolled, 34% HIV-positive, 37% HIV-negative and 29% whose HIV status was unknown. The HIV-positive group was younger (p <0.0001), had poorer access to pension funds (p<0.0001) and higher burdens of acute infectious illness when compared to their HIV-negative counterparts (p<0.0068). HIV-negative patients had higher rates of acute cardiovascular and haematological conditions (p<0.0001) and higher rates of chronic non-communicable disease (p<0.0004), predominantly diabetes mellitus (p<0.0095) and hypertension (p<0.0024). Conclusion: In older patients hospitalised for acute illness, both infectious and non-communicable disease play a significant role however, in those with HIV, the infectious burden of disease is more prominent while non-communicable chronic disease predominated in those without HIV.<br>LG2018

Thesis (M.A.)--Northern Kentucky University, 2009.<br>Made available through ProQuest. Publication number: AAT 1465737. ProQuest document ID: 1827193801. Includes bibliographical references (p. 25-27)

Although previous research has focused on subcultures among deviant groups, very little research has been conducted on older adults' subcultures or subcultures within exercise settings. Given the lack of research on older and non-deviant groups, the current research study was designed to reveal how a senior water aerobics exercise class is indeed a subculture and provide a rich description of this understudied and unappreciated subculture. Data collection took place at a water aerobics exercise class at a health club in Central Florida. In the first phase of data collection, ethnographic observations were utilized to identify the social processes in the pool setting. In the second phase of data collection, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 13 seniors to provide a rich description of a water aerobics subculture. Using a constructivist grounded theory approach, the results revealed that the water aerobics class resembles a subculture with distinctive norms, social roles and rituals. Based on these findings, this study concludes that groups such as water aerobics classes may influence seniors' self-esteem, wellbeing and transition into late adulthood.<br>M.A.<br>Masters<br>Sociology<br>Sciences<br>Applied Sociology

This investigation examined the impact of an eight-week group counseling intervention on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) older adolescents' (aged 18-20) levels of hopefulness, coping skills, and suicidality. An experimental, randomized-controlled-trial research design was employed to identify differences between the intervention group and waitlist control group participants' hopefulness, coping skills, and suicidality scores. In addition, the relationship between the LGBTQ+ participants' outcome variables (hopefulness, coping skills, and suicidality) scores was examined. Furthermore, the impact of group therapeutic factors experienced by the LGBTQ+ participants in intervention group for the variables of hopefulness, coping skills, and suicidality was examined. Key findings included a significant interaction between time and group placement, indicating that the intervention group participants experienced significant improvements on measures of hopefulness, coping behaviors, and suicidality when compared to participants in the waitlist control group. In addition, hope was demonstrated to be a strong and significant predictor of suicidality. Furthermore, it was found that group therapeutic factors had a positive effect on intervention group participants' Adaptive Coping scores, but did not have an effect on Hopefulness, Maladaptive Coping, or Suicidality as hypothesized. Lastly, there was no significant differences between the demographic variables perceptions of parental/guardian support, perceptions of peer support, gender identity, or ethnicity on their hopefulness, coping behaviors, or suicidality. There was, however, a significant difference between bisexual's and lesbian's post-test scores on Suicidality, with bisexuals scoring significantly lower. No other significant differences were observed between sexual orientation and the other key constructs.<br>Ph.D.<br>Doctorate<br>Dean's Office, Education<br>Education and Human Performance<br>Education; Counselor EducationTrack

M. Tech. Clinical Technology.<br>Aims of this study was designed to: 1. Evaluate the effects of mat Pilates on cardiometabolic parameters in the elderly, by: a) Evaluating the effects of mat Pilates on resting heart rate (HR) in the elderly; b) Evaluating the effects of mat Pilates on resting blood pressure (BP) in the elderly; c) Evaluating the effects of mat Pilates on fasting glucose levels in the elderly; d) Evaluating the effects of mat Pilates on total cholesterol (TC) in the elderly and e) Evaluating the effects of mat Pilates on triglycerides (TG) in the elderly. 2. Evaluate the effects of mat Pilates on physical fitness parameters in the elderly, by: a) Evaluating the effects of mat Pilates on anthropometric variables in the elderly; b) Evaluating the effects of mat Pilates on shoulder, hip and knee flexibility in the elderly; c) Evaluating the effects of mat Pilates on muscular strength in the elderly; d) Evaluating the effects of mat Pilates on muscular endurance in the elderly and e) Evaluating the effects of mat Pilates on cardiorespiratory endurance (VO2max) in the elderly.

Thesis (M.P.H.)--University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, School of Public Health, 2008.<br>Source: Masters Abstracts International, Volume: 46-05, page: 2670. Adviser: Stephanie L. McFall. Includes bibliographical references.

During the past thirty years several models for lifelong education after retirement have been developed worldwide, one of them being the University of the Third Age (U3A). This study explored the contributions of the U3A to the educational needs of older adults and evaluated the benefits they perceived from their participation in U3A by means of a literature study and an empirical investigation. The latter used a survey to explore the experiences of U3A members of two U 3As and presidents of 68 U3As in Victoria, Australia by means of two different questionnaires. As only 1.47 percent of the over-55 population of Victoria are U3A members, the survey also investigated barriers to U3A participation in general and with special reference to the male population. The findings indicated that member respondents were very satisfied with their U3A experiences which had made substantial differences in their lives. Both male and female respondents saw personal, mental, social, and physical improvement as a result of U3A participation. The majority indicated that participation had improved their intellectual development. Significant differences in the perceptions of male and female participants emerged: female members outnumbered males by three to one. Both the presidents and the members expressed some programmatic concerns, primarily obtaining tutors and classroom availability. The subject areas covered by courses presented were extensive. There was a difference in the subjects desired by males and female respondents; very few courses are offered in science and economics. Some barriers to participation identified are a lack of awareness of U3A, the stereotypical attitudinal barrier of `I am too old' and negative past educational experiences. Moreover, U3As should increase marketing endeavours. Although most U3As advertise, almost a third of the respondents indicated that they would have joined earlier if aware of U3As. A contributing factor appears to be a virtual lack of research and information provided in educational academic journals and other media about lifelong education after retirement. Based on the findings, recommendations were made for future research and for improved practice in the U3A environment as a means to enhance the quality of life for older adults.<br>Educational Studies<br>D.Ed. (Comparative Education)