This article presents some conclusions from a research program initiated in 1995 and aimed at analysing the early exit from the workforce of workers 45 years of age and older, especially through long-term unemployment. This early exit process is envisaged as a result of complex interactions between firms' policies and practices, public policies concerning retirement, workforce training and welfare, and individual workers participating in active social networks and able to develop strategies of resistance or adaptation. Research results show how the issue of early exit from the workforce is poorly recognized by firms and State policies as well. As a result, making individuals carry the responsibility for their own employability.

This paper explores the factors considered by Canadian court judges in 14 cases where the provincial legislation that obligates adult children to provide support for their parents was referred to. This exploration takes place within the context of intergenerational relationships with a focus on exchange between parents and adult children. Analysis revealed that the courts promote the obligation of family members to provide for one another according to the legislation and that the responsibility to provide this support is based on certain priorities. Nuclear family obligations come before those of the extended family. Of the factors considered by the court, this paper focusses on three: the eligibility of the parent, who is initiating the court proceedings, and the definition and prioritizing of responsibilities between parents and adult children.

This article focusses on the likelihood of senior centre participation, the frequency of attendance among participants, changes in use/non-use over a four-year period, and associated characteristics. The data are from a longitudinal study conducted in Winnipeg and eight smaller Manitoba communities, with 1,399 individuals aged 65 and older interviewed in 1991/92 and 956 re-interviewed in 1995. About one in five individuals attended a senior centre in the six months prior to the interview, with a wide range among participants in the number of visits. Only 8 per cent joined a senior centre and 13 per cent ceased their participation over the four years. The influence of socio-demographic characteristics, health status, and social integration varied depending on the measure of participation and according to place of residence. Social factors, such as living arrangement, tended to be more important than health status. Directions for future research are discussed.

Ensuring the delivery of comprehensive, high quality programs and services to seniors in Canada over the coming decades presents a significant challenge to policy makers and health care professionals. The goal of this study was to provide decision-makers with data on recent trends in the utilization of health services by seniors in Alberta. We compared recent trends in the utilization of acute hospital services (1992/93–1997/98), home care services (1994/95–1997/98), claims for physician consultations and procedures (1995/96–1997/98) and long-term facility care (1990–1996) for Albertans less than and over 65 years of age. We also assessed trends in the use of prescription drugs (1992/93–1997–98) by Albertans 65 years and older. Data for these analyses were obtained from Alberta Health and Wellness administrative databases and reports. Overall, the trends indicate fewer, though sicker, patients being cared for in institutions and more patients being cared for in the community. The receipt of prescription drugs obtained outside of facilities has also increased among seniors in recent years. The extent and appropriateness of substitution of community care for institutional care, the quality of that care, and whether health outcomes are better, worse, or unchanged, are important subjects for further study.

This study explored the determinants of self-rated health and happiness for elderly, institutionalized Canadians in the 1994/95 National Population Health Survey: Health Institutions. Separate ordinal logistic regression models were developed for self-rated health and happiness in a subsample of 780 elderly residents. The results indicate that older Canadians in institutions vary in their ratings of their health and happiness, and that demographic characteristics, illness-related factors, disability and social integration predict these variations. Both self-rated good health and happiness were consistently associated with being older, having fewer chronic diseases, fewer perceived memory difficulties and less pain. Whereas good health was associated with higher education and independence in ambulation, happiness was associated with greater grasping ability, more frequent attendance at group activities in the institution and the community and having a flexible schedule. These findings have important implications since many of the factors identified are potentially modifiable through rehabilitative and nursing interventions.

Anthropometric indices are commonly used in the assessment of nutritional status. This study examined data from elderly Canadian participants in the first phase of the Canadian Study of Health and Aging (CSHA-1). Height and weight were measured in 1,464 community-based individuals and 963 persons in institutions. Institution-dwelling participants weighed less than community-based participants (59.1 ± 13.8 kg. vs. 65.1 ± 14.1 kg.), were shorter (160.4 ± 10.1 cm vs. 162.6 ± 10 cm), and had lower body mass indices (BMIs) (23.3 ± 5.0 vs. 24.6 ± 4.5) (p < .001). Values were lower among women than men, and decreased progressively with age. Quebecers were shorter, with lower body weights compared to Canadians living elsewhere. Anthropometric indices declined by cognitive diagnosis, from normal, to “cognitively impaired, not demented” (CIND), to with dementia; participants with Alzheimer's dementia had the lowest body weights. Correlates of body weight differed for community and institution participants.

This research pertained to personal goals during retirement and especially to the influence of tenacity and flexibility on measures of psychological well-being. The participants (N = 147) had been retired for less than three years and were aged between 49 and 75 years (M = 58 years). The participants had to identify four personal goals and rate each of them along 15 dimensions. Psychological well-being was evaluated with scales of depression, self-esteem and life satisfaction. Regression analyses showed that flexibility in the presence of obstacles to the realization of goals accounts for 44 per cent of the variance in depression, 29 per cent of life satisfaction and 25 per cent of self-esteem. Tenacity had a more modest impact. Flexibility seems to be the strategy which is most useful in facing difficulties in the pursuit of goals during retirement.

Reminiscence is the process of thinking or telling about past experiences. The goal of this study was to investigate which functions young adults attribute to their own reminiscences, and to the reminiscences of older persons. The views of young adults on the reminiscences of older adults were also compared with the self-reports of older persons on their reminiscences. We used the Reminiscence Functions Scale (Webster, 1993,1997), which measures eight functions: Boredom Reduction, Death Preparation, Identity, Problem-Solving, Conversation, Intimacy Maintenance, Bitterness Revival, and Teach/Inform. Seventy-six undergraduate students reported on their own uses of reminiscences. A few weeks later, they gave their views regarding the functions for older persons on the same scale. Eighty-three adults over the age of 65 completed the scale regarding their own uses. Age-appropriate higher uses of the functions of Boredom Reduction, Identity and Problem-Solving characterized the young adults. Older adults most characteristically used reminiscence for Teach/ Inform, i.e. for transmission of life experiences. Compared to themselves, young adults believed that older adults reminisced more for practically all functions, which reflects the stereotypical view. When these beliefs were checked against the reports of older adults, it became clear that young adults overestimated almost all uses, especially Boredom Reduction, Death Preparation, and Teach/Inform. These findings reflect the prevalence of ageist assumptions regarding the uses of reminiscence by older persons.