The purpose of this study is to measure the direct and indirect relationships between socio-economic and demographic variables and ideal and desired family size preferences among male and female high school seniors in Utah in 1974. Furthermore, the analysis will be carried out separately for males and females in order to see if male and female ideal and desired family size preferences are influenced differently by the socio-economic and demographic variables. A model will be developed and tested of the process by which ideal and desired family size preferences are formulated. The model used in the analysis is based upon Westoff and Potvin's "theory of ideal family size formation." Westoff and Potvin's "theory of ideal family size formation" states family size of female's is a result of early socialization. The socialization can be influenced by four categories of processes. The four categories are family size in e nvironment variables, social context variables, consistency and continuity in life experiences, and interaction between beliefs and behavior. The socio-economic and demographic variables selected to test this model were size of family of orientation, place of residence, social class, religion, religiosity, desired age at marriage , ideal age at marriage, the number of circumstances females or males would consider acceptable for the use of birth control, and education difference. The application of Westoff and Potvin 's "theory of ideal family size formation" was a better fit for desired family size of females or males than ideal family size of females or males. Desired family size of females was influenced by religion, religiosity , size of family of orientation, and the number of circumstances females/males find acceptable for the use of birth control. Desired family size of females was also influenced by social class. Ideal family size of females is different from ideal family size of males. Both ideal family size of f emales and males was influenced by religion. Ideal family size of males was al so influenced by religiosity and social class. The given socio-economic and demographic variables explained 39 percent of the variation for female desired family size and 29.5 percent of the variation for male desired family size. The given socio-economic and demographic variables explain 4 percent of the variation for female ideal family size and 17 percent of the variation for male ideal family size.

Thesis (M. Ed.)--University of Hong Kong, 2006. / Title proper from title frame. Also available in printed format.

Thesis (M. A.)--University of Hong Kong, 2006. / Title proper from title frame. Also available in printed format.

Thesis (M. A.)--University of Hong Kong, 2006. / Title proper from title frame. Also available in printed format.

Seniors are a growing segment of the population of the United States. By 2030 they will make up nearly 20% of the general population. Senior citizens face many health challenges as they age. Injury due to falling is a major concern for many in this age group. Research shows that approximately one third of seniors will fall each year. Injuries that result from falls have been identified as the number one cause of accidental death in this age group each year. While falls have been studied by researchers for a number of years, and some progress has been made in finding ways to improve balance in seniors, the high incidence of falls continues to plague this demographic. Many of the current treatments to improve balance are too expensive, not accessible, or not motivating for seniors. This research project explored the effect of using a readily available video-game system to address these barriers. The Wii Fit gaming system was used with participants three times each week for 30 minutes and the resulting changes were documented. The Berg Balance Scale and Timed Up and Go test, both frequently used by professionals to assess balance in seniors, were used to document balance change. Every participant showed improvement. The Activities-specific Balance Confidence scale, which is used to measure a person's fear of falling, was also used to assess the participant's confidence in their balance as well as the level of fear associated with falling. The results of this test were positive but not to the extent of the balance tests. Finally, each participant was interviewed to assess how easy to use the participants felt the Wii Fit was as well as the motivational qualities of the Wii Fit as a balance tool. Answers given by the participants in the interview were generally positive. These results indicate that the Wii Fit gaming system may be beneficial for improving balance in seniors.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2000. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 159-169). Also available on the Internet.

Thesis PlanB (M.S.)--University of Wisconsin--Stout, 2009. / Includes bibliographical references.

published_or_final_version / Linguistics / Master / Master of Arts

As the U.S. population gets older, there is an increased need for senior housing. However, elderly housing is currently associated with dependence and isolation. There is a great disconnect from the retired community with its surrounding context. Senior housing and nursing homes are becoming more similar to miniature hospitals rather than a residential type. This negative view of nursing homes is becoming clear to the general population. In fact, most seniors fear the idea of living within an aging complex. Also, people generally avoid these places, even while visiting family. Florida is on the frontline for the effects of the retiring baby boomers. This master’s project is about researching and designing a multi-housing community that strives toward social independence and interaction for the elderly. How does one solve the problem of the increasing need for senior housing when everyone discards the idea of old senior housing facilities and nursing homes? How could one create a place that can handle the needs of an aging community while attracting outsiders? In order to change the perception of elderly housing facilities, there needs to be major fundamental change in the design process. Healthcare and efficiency, even though vitally important, need to become secondary to social independence and multigenerational interaction as the driving force for design and development. These communities need to hold an identity that is appealing for different uses and for people of different ages. By improving the fundamental design process of senior housing, it is possible to introduce a sense of place and home which lack in current senior housing developments.

This study examines the hours of care giving provided to senior citizens in Canada using the 2007 General Social Survey. Using Heckman’s 2 Stage Correction to correct for sample selection bias, we find that care givers spend the most time caring for their spouses. However, women spend fewer hours caring for their spouses than men. This could be because women have a longer life expectancy than men, and therefore fewer women than men are actually providing care to a spouse. However, women spend more time caring for their parents than men do. Also, caregivers spend positive hours caring for a sibling of the same gender, but fewer hours caring for a sibling of the opposite gender than they do caring for non-immediate family members.