Persons aged 65 and older comprise about 9–12% of the population of industrialized countries but consume 25–30% of prescribed drugs. This high consumption may be due to an increase in disease and chronic illness and/or the result of over prescription.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the use of prescription drugs by the population of B.C. aged 65 and older. Using B.C. Pharmacare data for 1984, the cost and number of prescriptions were analysed, comparing consumption by the mobile elderly with that of the elderly in nursing homes. Both populations were found to receive a high number of prescriptions per person, particularly in the Central Nervous System therapeutic class.

The results indicate the need for further study into the prescription of drugs for both elderly groups, but particularly those in nursing homes.

In the present study, the interpersonal problem solving competency of nondepressed and depressed elderly were compared. The subject sample which consisted of 40 French speaking elderly were administered the Beck Depression Inventory and two subtests from the Means Ends Problem Solving Procedure. The results failed to reveal any marked differences between nondepressed and depressed elderly on the measures of Optional Thinking and Perception of Consequences. However, significant correlations were found between the interperpersonal problem solving competency measures and some of the demographic variables. Implications for future assessment of interpersonal problem solving competency in the elderly are discussed.

In the first of two experiments designed to investigate perceived cognitive abilities of young and old targets, 80 female undergraduates estimated the performance of either a young or an old target on several subtests from the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS; Wechsler, 1955). Experiment 2, with 120 respondents, extended Experiment 1 to include respondent sex and target sex variables, and additional WAIS subtests. The results of the two experiments suggest a highly differentiated view of cognitive abilities. On subtests related primarily to memory and psychomotor speed, the old targets were seen as less cognitively able than the young targets. On a subtest assessing practical judgment and common sense old targets were seen as superior to young targets. On subtests assessing computational abilities and logical abstractive thinking no reliable target age differences were found. Neither target sex nor respondent sex played a substantial role in target age perceptions. Compared to available norms estimates xvere unrealistically generous, particularly in the case of older adults. However the pattern of estimates across cognitive abilities reflected, to a substantial degree, the age-related differences in the norms.

This article provides a descriptive account of the history of Canadian veterans and veterans legislation focussing upon five time periods: pre–1918; 1918–1939; 1939–1950; 1950–1980; and the present time. Emphasis is placed on issues and legislation relating to aging and elderly persons, with particular concentration on pensions and health. It is shoivn that veterans legislation and veterans issues have played a facilitating role in the development of Canadian health and social services, and argued that a social historical perspective on aging provides for an enhanced understanding of current age-related institutions, services and policies.

This study reports on a population of Anglophone Canadian seasonal migrants to Florida. Surveys were mailed to 4,500 subscribers to Canada News, a Florida-based weekly paper, and were completed by 61% of the respondents. The descriptive profile reveals younger-old, healthy, married, home owners of moderate income who stay in Fionda for six months, but communicate regularly with their Canadian family. They utilize no social services in Florida, are satisfied with life and with their Florida health care experiences, but take various precautionary health care measures prior to leaving Canada. Their Florida visits will continue, moderated more by the exchange rate than health concerns. These data will be discussed relative to policy issues for Florida and Canada.

Ce livre nous offre un exposé sommaire des énoncés théoriques présentement avaricés au niveau de l'abus et du manque de soins envers les gens âgés. L'auteur soutient que nous devons élargir notre présente définition de l'abus et du manque de soins pour y incorporer la notion de soins inadéquate. Cette nouvelle proposition nous permettrait de nous éloigner d'une notion de blâme et punition pour effectivement réorienter nos travaux de recherches et nos stratégies d'intervention vers le développement de nouvelles stratégies qui offriraient des soins adéquats basés sur les besoins et les désirs particuliers des personnes âgées à l'inteneur de leur propre contexte de soins.

Les auteurs décrivent un outil d'évaluation connu sous le nom d'Elder Assessment Instrument et son préconisent emplois aux équipes d'abus aux vieillards qui sont établies dans les hôpitaux. Les auteurs soutiennent que ces équipes sont en mesure d'aider à développer et à mettre aupoint les services nécéssaires requis par les personnes âgées qui reçoivent présentement ou risçuent de recevoirdes soins inadéquats. La critique favorise une telle démarche puisqu'elle nous permettrait de redéfinir nos stratégies pour ensuite aborder les questions d'abus, de manque de soins et de soins inadéquate envers les gens âgés d'une façon plus constructive.

Ce livre s'adresse à tous les professionals au domaine de la santé qui ont une certaine expérience en psychiatrie, en gériatrie, en gérontologie et dans les domaines qui se rattachent à ces disciplines. Effectivement, cet ouvrage est complet, peu coûteux, pratique et pertinent. Six auteurs qui ont travaillé en psychiatrie, en sciences sociales, et au secteur des soins infirmiers, contribuent aux chapitres qui traitent du vieillissement normal, du chagrin causé par laperte d'un être cher et la période d'adaptation qui s'ensuit, de la psychodynamique de vieillissement et des syndromes cliniques, évaluation et administration. Dans la section finale les auteurs brossent un tableau des ressources familiales et communautaires.