A survey on abuse of the elderly was mailed to 174 Canadian and American professionals who were identified as persons likely to be involved with cases of elder abuse. Neglect was the most commonly reported type of abuse, followed by financial and psychological abuse. Physical abuse constituted the smallest number of cases. While various family relationships were reported, middle-aged sons were the most common abusers, while older mothers were most frequently the victim. Regardless of the legislative approach taken, laws were reported to be generally effective. Greatest concerns were expressed regarding the lack of funds to administer and provide services to abused seniors.

Two hundred and seventy three married, independently living adults completed an 11-item Likert questionnaire of perceived attitudes of various reference groups toward sexual relations among the elderly. Multivariate analysis of variance of Helmert contrasts revealed no significant age, sex or age X sex interaction effects among the respondents. With the exception of elderly females, the younger the age of the reference group, the less favorable the perceived attitude toward sexual activities among the elderly; the self, the doctor and spouse were seen as more favorable toward sex among the elderly than friends, clergy or children.

With an increasing number of persons entering old age and having longer life expectancies, there has been a consequent alteration of family dynamics, such that middle aged individuals frequently provide support to their older parents. At the same time, the middle aged person is often in the midst of raising his or her own children, attending to personal aspirations, and enacting the role of spouse.

This study investigated support from middle aged offspring to elderly parents in a rural Mennonite community. Information on the expectation for and consequences of support to parents was gathered from pastors and middle aged family members in two Mennonite conferences, as well as from a Lutheran sample with a similar historical background.

Pastoral interviews showed no differences in doctrinal beliefs regarding familial care of parents, although the institutional church responses varied. Middle aged offspring in the Lutheran congregation reported less involvement in religious practice than did members of either Mennonite congregation. Burden of caring for elderly parents felt by middle aged people showed no statistically significant differences between congregations; however, greater reported religiosity was associated with lesser burden.

Using variables derived from Attachment Theory, gender differences in several motivational and structural factors on the levels of care provided by adult offspring to their parents are explored. Data from the Winnipeg Parent Support Project on informal helpers who were sons and daughters between the ages of 30 and 64 (n = 79) were analysed. Consistent with previous research, adult daughters reported greater caregiving than sons. The structural variables of Employment, Marriage and Presence of Children did not emerge as significant predictors of caregiving involvement for sons or daughters. Considerable support was found for Attachment Theory. Perceived Parental Dependence, followed by Frequency of Visits, emerged as the strongest predictors of sons' and daughters' caregiving involvement. Perceived Parental Ability accounted for additional variation in daughters', but not sons', caregiving. No support was found for Exchange Theory; reciprocity did not predict caregiving involvement. Implications for understanding the helping behaviour of adult sons and daughters are discussed.