No abstract

The findings support the hypothesized role of extra-individual environmental factors in Verbrugge and Jette's conceptual scheme of the disablement process. Access to care is suggested to make the most difference in delaying or slowing down functional decline among functionally independent elderly persons. Transitions from less severe to more severe states of disability or to death appear to be influenced more by the natural course of chronic diseases, underlying health status, and medical instability.

The purpose of this study was to learn more about the relationship between pet attachment, the ability to care for a pet, and depression in older adults. One hundred and seventeen Caucasian, older, adult dog owners in rural, south-central Pennsylvania were recruited using non-random sampling methods through veterinary offices and dog grooming salons in south-central Pennsylvania, USA. They completed an anonymous, self-administered questionnaire, which was returned by mail. Half of the respondents were female, 74% were married, and 27% were employed. Attachment to pet dogs was measured by the Lexington Attachment to Pets Scale. Regression analysis revealed that higher levels of pet attachment and widowhood were associated with higher levels of depression, and the ability to care for the dog and satisfaction with human relationships were associated with lower levels of depression. Higher levels of pet attachment may indicate that the pet plays a central role in the older adult's life and may substitute for human companionship.

The needs of Blacks should be considered when developing "best practices" in service provision. Culturally sensitive outreach approaches should not ignore the importance of faith and faith-based organizations in the lives of Blacks.

Predictors of formal service utilization, waiting list use, and caregiving burden were assessed over a 4-year time period for 305 mothers of an adult child. Results indicate that caregiving burden at follow-up is predicted by residential status, burden, child behaviors at baseline, and child placement. Formal service use at follow-up is predicted by formal service use, child behaviors, co-residence at baseline, and child placement. Waiting list use at follow-up is predicted by waiting list use, burden, co-residence at baseline, and child placement. Placement outside the mother's home is predicted by co-residence, mother's functional ability, and waiting list use at baseline. Findings suggest that waiting list use and placement are aspects of an evolving process rather than discrete events.