This paper reviews the literature on the relation of coping and control processes to health outcomes in late adulthood and presents new data on relations between coping and control processes and health for 295 World War II veterans. The results for the veterans showed that health was positively associated with cognitive coping, and negatively associated with behavioural coping and avoidance. No association was found between perceived locus of control and health. These findings, together with those in the literature, were discussed in terms of their implications for future research on the role of coping and control in health maintenance and their significance for people working with older persons.

Although the physical environment as a co-determinant of health could be approached in many ways, we chose to focus on an understudied area: how the immediate living environment can act as a persuasive force affecting physical activity level in older people, with physical activity in turn affecting health status. To explore this topic, the methods and findings of a literature search are described, the theoretical underpinnings of our thesis are presented, and an example is given of how a planned environment, which upon first glance seems supportive, may have unexpected and negative consequences on the activity level, and ultimately the health status, of the residents. Theory related to changes with aging in homeostatic capacity and reserve capacity of organ systems as well as Lawton's environmental press-competence model are applied to environmental characteristics (e.g., staircases) of continuing care retirement communities. We argue that physically challenging aspects of the environment, such as stairs, should be included in the design of living spaces for the elderly with the goal of encouraging greater daily physical activity and improved health status.

This study describes the prevalence and characteristics of self-reported unintentional injuries among Canadians aged 55 years and older. Based on the cross-sectional data from the 1994 National Population Health Survey (NPHS), approximately 10 per cent of older adults experienced unintentional injuries serious enough to limit their normal daily activities. Consistent with hospitalization and mortality data, unintentional falls and motor vehicle crashes were reported as the major causes of injury. However, the other predominant causes of unintentional injuries were environmental incidents and being struck by an object. The most common types of injuries were sprains/strains and broken/fractured bones; the greatest number of injuries was to the lower limbs; and the majority of injuries occurred in the home and surrounding area. Unintentional injuries represent a significant health threat among older adults. Self-reported data serve as a different but complementary source of information on unintentional injuries among older adults.

This paper analyses data pertaining to falls from a 1995 random survey of 1,285 seniors living in the Capital Regional District of British Columbia. In the preceding six months, 211 (16.5%) people reported falling at least once. The overall rate for women was 18.6 per hundred compared with 13.3 for men. The study also examined relationships between falling and an array of demographic, health, psychological and psychosocial variables. The likelihood of falling increased directly with age and chronic illness, as well as indirectly with age, SES, and gender via chronic illness (i.e. older, poorer women tend to have more chronic illness which then leads to a higher incidence of falling). In turn, falling was directly related to increased dependence, and through it indirectly related to health satisfaction, mental health and a measure of life satisfaction.

The Échelle d'adaptation de la personne âgée à sa résidence (ÉAPÂK) aims at identifying the elderly people experiencing difficulties of adjustment to their nursing homes. The validation of this scale was carried out on 37 women aged 65 to 97 living in a nursing home for three months and more. Participants answered ÉAPÂR twice at a one-week interval, The Échelle de dépression gériatrique, the Activités de la vie quotidienne section of the OAES and the Échelle de désirabilité sociale Marlowe-Crowne Form C were also administered in order to complete the validation process. The scale showed a test-retest reliability of 0.65 (p < 0.01), an internal consistency of a = 0.69 at time 1 and a construct validity with the Échelle de dépression gériatrique of -0.41 (p < 0.05). ÉAPÂR therefore does contribute to the identification of elderly women experiencing adjustment difficulties.

Relatively little is known about the factors in Canada which lead to osteoporosis and its concomitant fractures. The Canadian Multicentre Osteoporosis Study (CaMos) is a prospective cohort study which will estimate the incidence and prevalence of declining bone mass and fractures. The impact of osteoporosis in Canada will be assessed, including regional variation and the effect of various risk factors. The study will provide information for developing prevention programs. The cohort has been drawn from a random population-based sample of non-institutionalized men and women 25 years old or more and living within 50 km. of nine cities in Canada. Through telephone interviews 9,423 participants have been recruited. All answered an extensive questionnaire, and had physical measurements related to bone quality taken. This paper details the CaMos baseline and five-year follow-up protocol.

A review of the guide Vouloir changer: Une approche axée sur le client traitant de l'usage d'alcool et de médicaments chez les aines. After describing the main ideas, the author presents the strengths and weaknesses of this guide. The quality of clinical information and the expertise of the authors and collaborators in the area of drug addiction are noted. A weakness in theoretical and scientific precision is indicated, however. It is also mentioned that some concepts could have been affected in the translation. While underlining the usefulness of this document, the author of the review made suggestions that could have perhaps improved the presentation of the material.