The maximum lifespan of different animal species is genetically determined. Many biochemical and physiological systems which influence longevity have apparently evolved to regulate growth and development in a way which maximizes fitness given the ecological niche and constraints on the species. The diversity of individual genetic effects on aging makes it unlikely that either extrinsic factors such as nutrition and medicine or genetic intervention will have dramatic effects on the maximum lifespan of a species, in spite of significant qualitative effects on individuals. However, understanding the fundamental genetic determinants of senescence may be of particular importance to the treatment and or prevention of age associated problems involving tissue degeneration and/or cancer. Considerable investment in basic biological research on both aging and developmental processes is needed before this understanding can be achieved.

Many functional scales used with the elederly are inadequate because they focus solely on physical functioning and were designed for younger adults who were orthopedically or neurologically impaired (e.g. the Katz, the Kenny). An appropriate assessment of the elderly's capabilities must include other components—mental functioning, tolerance and motivation, as well as physical functioning. A new assessment tool—the Geriatric Function Score Scale (G.F.S.S.) was developed for the elderly by Lowe (1984). It is an objective tool which examines physical, cognitive and motivational components of functioning and takes only 20 minutes to administer. The results of a preliminary study revealed that the score patients received on the G.F.S.S. was able to discriminate the level of placement (chronic care setting versus nursing home versus supervised setting, etc.) they would need upon discharge from the hospital. In addition, a positive conelation was found (r = .84) when comparing the G.F.S.S. with the Folstein Mini Mental Status Examination.

The results of examining all hospitalizations of the elderly consequent to injury in one Canadian province indicate that 66.3% were for accidental falls and 21.3% were for “other accidents” and for adverse effects of therapeutic regimens. Nursing home residents were significantly more likely to be hospitalized for falls than community dwellers but very elderly institutionalized females, who comprise 40% of the nursing home population, used significantly fewer days than their community peers.

In view of the growing numbers of physically and developmentally handicapped older persons in Canada, this study attempts to determine the effects of basic client characteristics on the delivery of services to these groups. Using data from the 1984 Disability Information System of Calgary, a series of models are estimated which focus on the characteristics of age, gender, geographical location, and level of physical and cognitive functioning as determinants of the receipt or non-receipt of residential, professional, support and day program services. The results indicate that there is a weak relationship between age, gender and level of cognitive functioning and the overall receipt of services. However, when each service is analyzed separately, only day programs are adequately explained. As was anticipated, it appears the needs of the elderly handicapped are not being met within the rehabilitation service system.

The purpose of this study was to measure the impact of a leisure education/ counseling workshop on the leisure motivation, participation and satisfaction of a group of 27 senior citizens. The content of the workshop was based largely on the value clarification technique. The data, analysed using the t-test, indicate the workshop's limited impact on the dependent variables measured.