<p> The purpose of this study was to locate a potential funding source and write a grant to fund a program designed for older adults who suffer from serious mental illness. In this program, the older adults would be using computerized activities to enhance memory. Another portion ofthe program would be dedicated to the prevention of falls through the use of rhythmic steps in music. The program would be held by the host agency, Life Sharing Health Care in the city ofNorwalk, California, once the Archstone Foundation approved and funded the grant proposal. Since memory loss and falls are prevalent in the older adult population, it is essential to create programs whose mission is to prevent these problems from occurring or at least reduce the impairment and frequency. The actual submission and/or funding of this grant was not a requirement for the successful completion of the project.</p>

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Pacific Graduate School of Psychology, 1992. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 53-03, Section: B, page: 1615. Chair: Dolores Gallagher-Thompson.

<p> The proposed support group was designed for older Cambodian refugees who suffer from any mental health conditions primarily from the Khmer Rouge regime. Although the genocide occurred three decades ago, many refugees still suffer from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, and other mental illnesses, especially among the older generation. The support group will consist of older Cambodian refugees who had lived through the Cambodian genocide (1975-1979), are 55 year of age or older, are currently residing in the Long Beach community and suffer from any mental health condition diagnosed for more than 1 year. The goal of the proposed group is to strengthen the support and connection among the Cambodian refugee elders. The actual submission and/or funding of the grant were not a requirement for the successful completion of this project.</p>

<p> This study examined sociocultural predictors of mental health treatment utilization among a combined clinical and community sample of Black older adults experiencing depression, anxiety and/ or traumatic events. A secondary analysis of a cross-sectional study that investigated the prevalence of depression and the factors associated with it among African Americans, and Caribbean Blacks over the age of 55 living in New York City using binominal logistic regression analyses. The current study investigated how the sociocultural factors of ethnicity, mental health beliefs, ethnic identity, spirituality, and religiosity predicted utilization of formal and informal mental health treatment services. The findings highlight the significance of ethnicity, depression, mental health beliefs and spirituality as predictors of utilization of mental health services. Caribbean Black older adults underutilized mental health treatment services of any type. The current study suggests that attitudes and beliefs about mental illness and health practices is a factor that should been taken into account by clinicians when assessing, diagnosing, treating and trying to maintain adherence to services of older Black adults. </p>

<p> This thesis investigated the relationship between social support and current life satisfaction in combat theatre veterans aged 50 and older. This study addressed a lack of research-based literature on this topic. The participants of this study (<i>n</i>=31) served in active duty in a theatre of war. Social support was measured using a researcher constructed questionnaire, The Veterans Perceived Social Support Questionnaire. Life Satisfaction was measured using Diener's (1985) Satisfaction with Life Scale. No significant relationship was found between social support and life satisfaction for this group. However, veterans who engaged in social activities a few times per month or more frequently reported higher current life satisfaction, than those who endorsed very minimal social activity.</p><p> Gerontologists can use this information to educate facilitators of veterans' groups about how to increase the frequency of social activities, which could lead to an increase in life satisfaction.</p>

<p> Behavioral complications, such as Inappropriate Sexual Behavior (ISB), are developed in many cases of dementia. Sex, even for those with dementia, is a primary need, but supporting this need in an appropriate manner may overwhelm caregivers. The purpose of this project was to create a curriculum for Dementia Friendly Community (DFC) residential caregivers on the topic of sexual expression among older adults with dementia. By offering training on sexuality and dementia it is expected that caregivers can increase the DFC's provision of quality of life. This project presented an assessment tool and plan on how to manage ISB, activities relevant to the discussed topics, and curriculum evaluation forms. Expert reviewers offered recommendations to further improve the curriculum's quality.</p>