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In most of the studies it seems that the presence of a contracture is equivalent with the presence of restriction in the range of motion (ROM) of a joint. Very little is known about risk factors for contractures. But it seems that immobility may play a pivotal role in the development of this condition. IMPLICATION FOR REHABILITATION: The prevalence of contractures in nursing home residents is estimated at 55% with significant functional and medical consequences. In most studies, which were published in the last 10 years, the presence of a contracture is equivalent with the presence of restriction in the range of motion of a joint. Immobility seems to play a role in the development of contractures. Potential avenues to prevention of contractures and subsequent functional limitations are exercise programmes for and maintenance of mobility of the elderly.

The relation between bone lead absorption and language processing abilities in 156 randomly selected 11- to 14-year-old boys who were asymptomatic for lead toxicity is examined. Tibial lead concentrations were measured by X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy. The language processing outcome variables consisted of the least and most difficult subtests from the Nonword Repetition Task, Competing Language Processing Task, and the Revised Token Test. Participants were classified by quartiles according to bone lead concentrations, and analysis of variance and analysis of covariance measured the impact on language processing scores. Results showed that children in the highest bone lead quartile displayed decreased language processing performance on the most difficult language processing tasks but not on the easier tasks.

Thirty-four older workers in one of five inlergenerational child care settings participated in a study exploring the effects of their articipation in intergenerational child care programs. PThe purpose o the study was (1) to identify and describe a sample of older child care workers and (2) to identify characteristics of lhe older child care workers or the work experience which significantly impact on their lives. The older workers completed a written questionnaire, standardized life satisfaction scale, and interviews. The results suggest that participation in intergenerational child care programs su ports the notion of generativity and enhances productive aging. 0 f der workers rcported increases in feeling needed, valued, and a sense of self-worth, and increased social contact. Over 90% of the older workers reported that their job expectations were met and that they felt the children had benefitted from their work. Positive changes in attitude about children's growth was positively renaled to the older workers' personal growth. Older workers also reported greater personal growth when they worked in excellent child care centers as compared to good or fair quality centers. Younger teachers reported positive changes in the classroom environment with the presence of older workers. These fiidings have implications for training older adults as child care workers and for social policy issues concerning older citizens' roles in our society.