Evidence is accumulating to suggest that peoples' perceptions of their own memories are important for understanding memory functioning in later life. This paper reviews two questionnaires designed to measure such perceptions, and identifies several research questions requiring further study. In general, memory perceptions appear to be multidimensional and involve belief and affective components as well as knowledge components. In addition, the relationship between memory perceptions and memory performance appears to differ as a function of age and type of task. Salient issues for future research include the extent to which older adults' memory perceptions show systematic state-like fluctuations over time, and the extent to which these perceptions represent an accurate picture of individuals' memory abilities.

The relationship between ADL self-assessments and physical ability was investigated using data compiled on 128 exercise class participants. Compared with community dwelling respondents, institutionalized seniors were not only less accurate in their subjective ADL estimates, but consistently underestimated their capabilities over comparable ranges of the objective physical scale. Seniors appear to make errors estimating their functional capabilities with respect to daily activities they no longer perform and that may be restricted for reasons of institutional convenience.

An ongoing, structured, low-intensity exercise program designed to foster physical, social and cognitive functioning was evaluated in 128 seniors ranging in age from 55 to 101 years. The sample included individuals residing in the general community, seniors' apartment complexes and institutional care facilities. Participation in other exercises was found to increase since joining the program. The program appeared to be providing an opportunity for social interaction among participants, and the exercises appeared to be mentally stimulating. Implications for program modifications, including building in self-monitoring procedures, are discussed.

Structured interviews were conducted with forty-eight older clients discharged from a public health nursing service in order to: (1) describe their social support network and (2) identify specific components of social support related to physical, social and emotional health. The sample was comprised primarily of older widows living alone to whom family and relatives contributed the largest amount of support. Correlation analyses revealed that: (1) age, emotional support given by older persons to their supporters and aid given and received by older persons were related to physical functioning; (2) emotional, decisional and aid support given by older persons to their supports (total reciprocity) and femaleness were related to emotional functioning and; (3) emotional and aid support received by older persons and reciprocity were related to social functioning.