This research examined transportation problems of non-institutionalized elders with ambulatory difficulties. The purpose was to explore their responses to their needs, and their satisfaction levels. The sample is composed of 67 elderly persons divided into three levels of mobility (low, medium and severely-reduced), and three types of localities (large, rural and semi-rural). In general, transportation is supplied by family and friends. The need which receives the highest level of satisfaction is meals. For elders with medium and severe ambulatory difficulties recreational activities are absent and their satisfaction is low. Urban elders, as opposed to rural elders, are the most unsatisfied. Their insecurity and fear of going outside is one explanation for these results.

Secondary analysis of data from the Health and Activity Limitations Survey (HALS) in the metropolitan Montreal area shows that 3.5 out of 10 elderly persons living in a household had a disability. In this descriptive research, we locate the dependency level according to the attributes of the elderly and of their residence. Approximately three out of four elderly with a disability receive help and one out of three are assessed as needing more help. Assistance varies with the person who helps. The family mostly helps for everyday activities, friends for shopping, and private or governmental services for personal care and household tasks. Assistance varies also with the marital status of the elderly person. Finally, the presence of special devices is associated with type of housing.

The aim of this work was to compare the efficacy of two strategies designed to improve folate status: increasing the intake of vegetables, and the consumption of a folic acid-fortified food. Residents (126) from three old people's homes in the Madrid region (Spain) were studied. To each centre a dietary intervention was assigned to be followed for 6 months: (1) the consumption of margarine fortified with 200 μg folic acid/10 g portion (centre M), (2) increasing the consumption of vegetables to three servings per day (centre V), (3) control (centre C). At the beginning and end of the intervention period the subjects' intakes, serum and erythrocyte concentrations of folate were measured. The use of fortified margarine (centre M) led to a significant increase in folate intake (260·9 μg/d), serum concentration (10·3 (sd 8·3) nmol/l) and erythrocyte concentration (638·4 nmol/l). At centre V the increase in total vegetable intake achieved was very poor; these foods met with very poor acceptance, although the intake of certain vegetables particularly rich in folate improved. Therefore, the intake of this vitamin increased a little (26·7 (sd 33·0) μg/d); erythrocyte folate concentration also increased somewhat (460·5 nmol/l), althought less than centre M. The daily consumption of margarine fortified with folic acid was the more effective strategy for improving the folate status of the study subjects.

Background: The relationship between self-stigma and self-esteem in patients with schizophrenia is receiving increased attention. However, studies to date have been limited to samples of persons under the age of 65.

Aim: To examine the relationship between self-stigma and self-esteem in people with schizophrenia in both younger and older age groups.

Methods: Face-to-face interviews were completed with 86 inpatients with schizophrenia in a psychiatric hospital (mean age = 54, 55% female). Self-esteem was assessed using Rosenberg's Self Esteem Scale. Self-stigma was assessed using an adapted version of the Internalized Stigma of Mental Health (ISMI) scale. Information regarding socio-demographic characteristics and psychiatric history and symptomatology was collected.

Results: Self-stigma was moderate with only 20–33% of the participants reporting high levels of stigmatization. Older participants reported lower levels of self-stigma than younger participants. A relatively strong association between self-stigma and self-esteem was found.

Conclusions: The findings point to the complexity of the association between self-stigma, self-esteem and age in people with schizophrenia. This study stresses the importance of clinicians taking the issue of self-stigma into consideration when treating young and old patients with schizophrenia.

Studies on laypersons' beliefs and knowledge about mental disorders have proliferated in recent years. However, attention has been focused mainly on depression and schizophrenia and on young adults. The aim of this paper is to summarize research in the area, and to discuss the need to expand research in the elderly population. The unique characteristics of older persons in terms of the prevalence and type of mental disorders, especially Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other dementias, as well as in terms of their being victims of “double jeopardy” require special attention and research. The present review has three main objectives. First, it summarizes the findings of studies examining different aspects of mental health literacy. Second, the importance of age in the study of mental health literacy is discussed. Third, findings of the few studies examining laypersons' beliefs in the area of AD are presented. Finally, research directions are suggested with special emphasis on the importance of geriatric mental health and mental health literacy.

The growing number of oldest old has increased the need for social services and medical care in many countries during the last decade. These needs have been met with various strategies to make more effective and efficient use of resources. In many ways these changes have been successful, but at the same time the amount of success correlates negatively to the potential for further gains. That is, when the slack in the system has been drawn in, it is doubtful whether further gains can be made with these strategies. So what can be done if the public resources are restricted and needs continue to increase? Adequate solutions will require a wide perspective encompassing all the various services needed by elderly people. Decisions made in one sector necessarily have repercussions in other service areas. It is also essential to recognize the differences between sectors; guidelines and strategies developed within the medical sector are not always applicable in the social services sector. With Sweden as an example, the organizational and administrative changes that have occurred during the last decades are presented along with arguments for extending the discussion of strategies and priorities to include all kinds of service to the elderly population.