Baby Boomers and the Long-Term Transformation of Retirement and Volunteering: Evidence for a Policy Paradigm Shift.

In this article, we analyze two predictions about baby boomers that have contributed to the current policy paradigm: that the boomers will reinvent retirement, and that they have the potential to engage in higher levels of formal volunteering than previous generations. Empirical evidence from various studies and surveys do not support this paradigm. In fact, the data lead to the conclusion that baby boomers are neither initiating the reinvention of retirement, nor are they the initiators of a surge in volunteerism.

State Dementia Plans and the Alzheimer's Disease Movement: Framing Diagnosis, Prognosis, and Motivation.

An interpretive analysis of 38 state dementia plans compares similarities and differences in diagnostic framing (problem identification/trends/issues), prognosis framing (addressing the problem), and motivational framing (calls for action) across plans. In framing diagnosis, only 6 plans used dementia alone in their titles. In framing prognosis and the subsequent call to action, state plans were consistent in their dire prognostications about the progressive and fatal consequences of the disease with a primary focus on the cost.

State long-term care ombudsmen's perceptions of their program's disaster preparedness roles and readiness.

A telephone survey of 43 state long-term care ombudsmen (LTCO) assessed their familiarity with relevant long-term care disaster resources, their provision of disaster aids and training to staff, and their perceived preparedness to lead their programs during public crises. Thirty-four directors (78%) reported being fairly well to fully prepared to support their local programs during public emergencies. However, ANOVAs showed that the 27 disaster experienced ombudsmen felt no better prepared to help their local paid and volunteer staff deal with public emergencies than disaster inexperienced ombudsmen.

Health perceptions and levels of attachment: owners and pets exercising together.

Background: Obesity is a parallel problem in canine and human populations. We describe health perceptions and levels of companion animal attachment in a cohort of dog owners.

Methods: As part of a larger trial examining the impact of veterinary counseling on activity levels of dog owners and their pets, owners presenting to a veterinary referral center were asked to self-report perceived levels of health and attachment to their dog (Lexington Attachment to Pets Scale).