Aging in America: Roles of psychology

Argues that aging may be viewed from a pessimistic perspective in which the elderly are seen as poor, unhealthy, and lonely or from an optimistic perspective revolving around millions of competent older adults who enjoy a high quality of life (QOL). A study of 3 cohorts (aged 30, 50, and 70 yrs) by J. D. Flanagan (1978) identified 3 factors as being relevant to QOL: (1) material comforts, work, and health; (2) close friends and opportunity for socializing; and (3) opportunity to use cognitive capabilities and creative expression. Mental health personnel needs of persons over 65 yrs and institutional and professional inertia related to training professionals to serve an aging population are discussed.