In view of the trend toward increasing early retirement observed in Canada since the 1960's, this study attempts to determine the main socioeconomic factors influencing the decision to retire before age 65 among Canadian men and women. Using data from the 1973 Canadian Mobility Study, we estimate a series of models in which retirement is measured as both the degree of involvement in the labour force and a subjective declaration of retirement status. We conclude that those Canadians who retire early tend to be single men and married women employed by others who are better educated and whose nonearned income is higher than those who retire at a later age. As anticipated, early retirement experiences are different for men and women, reflecting the more precarious position of women in the labour market.

In the Person-Environment (P-E) Congruence model, psychological well-being is proposed to be a function of the degree of fit between the perceived environment and the important needs of the individual; and, that in more restricted environments, the relationship is stronger. The present study examined, cross-sectionally and longitudinally, the Congruence levels and well-being of elderly veterans (N = 165) in four microenvironments within a single instutition. Congruence was assessed using the multidimensional Environmental Perception, Preference and Importance Scale (EPPIS). Well-being was measured using the PGC Moral Scale, the Life Satisfaction Index A and a semantic differential self-concept scale. There were significant microenvironment differences on three of the 15 EPPIS dimensions; the P-E Congruence scores were predictive of well-being; and, the specific dimensions predictive of well-being varied across microenvironments, criterion of well-being and time. The data reinforces the notion that treatment programs must be individualized and that the P-E model, operationalized in the EPPIS, may serve as a viable clinical tool.

This paper offers an exploratory investigation of spatial aspects of the shopping patterns of elderly downtown residents. Attention is explicitly focused on their usage fields, transport modes, and shopping context. The shopping behaviour of the elderly is evaluated with reference to that of a baseline group of non-elderly consumers. The data are obtained from a questionnaire/interview survey of random samples of elderly and non-elderly apartment dwellers in the central area of Winnipeg. The findings indicate that the elderly's shopping trips are largely restricted to the central business district. In contrast, the non-elderly exhibit more extensive movement patterns, particularly when purchasing relatively expensive items. These differences appear to be related to the higher level of transport deprivation among elderly persons, although some are able to compensate for their limited mobility by travelling as bus or automobile passengers.

Following 14 months of operation, all 142 patients assessed by the Day Hospital program at Seven Oaks General Hospital in Winnipeg were reviewed. Needs identified through referrals from physicians were compared with those assessed by the Day Hospital team. Findings showed that medical, nursing and learning needs were most frequently not identified and more than half the referrals identifying a single need were assessed as having multiple needs. However, the ranking of needs by referrers and assessors were identical.

The review confirmed that this Day Hospital met the objective of assessing the multiple factors affecting the well-being of the elderly.