FRIDAY, SEPTEMPER 14,1962 TIDE MICHIGAN DAILY FACF AV"tT'?t V FRJ.DAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 1962 THE MICHIGAN DAILY r *.AL n J dv A.i' GERIATRIC STUDY: Institute Views Problems of Mentally Ill ,:ji..7.{U:. UV4."t a .yin .: ".' 4 } 1}: ".{ .... ....... By GERALD STORCH The Institute for Human Ad- justment is currently carrying out research on two important prob- lems -of the aged: pre-retirement counseling and rehabilitation of1 elderly persons who are mentally ill. Prof. Wilma Donohue, chairman, of the institute's gerontology divi- sion, is coordinating both projects, which stress random sampling methods and control groups now used in most social research. The pre-retirement program, in the words of its director, Woodrow W. Hunter of the gerontology di- vision, seeks "to develop and test materials and methods, and to de- termine the effects of participation of hourly-rated workers in a group-discussion type pre-retire- ment education program." Informative Materials To work toward this goal, Hunt- er prepared four kinds of informa- tive materials: a series of eight five-minute films on retirement planning old-age leisure activity; still pictures depicting socio-psy- chological aspects of retirement; 10 short stories based on case his- tories of retirees; and a series of seven booklets which provide var- ious types of relevant information. These materials were developed in order to stimulate discussion and decision-making for workers about to retire. Series of Meetings Beginning next month, a series of meetings will be held with auto- motive workers of more than 60 years of age. At that time the institute re- searchers will attempt to discover the effects of the materials upon workers in assorted occupations and levels of education, and the usefulness of the materials as a guide for the program leaders. Although most efforts to orient near-retirees are organized on a group-meeting basis by business, industrial and labor organizations, the research is hampered by the refusal of the major automobile companies in Detroit to provide pertinent data on older workers, including figures on their years of service, income and education, Hunter writes. Most of the researchers' assist- ance has come from the automo- bile labor unions instead. Meager Knowledge Present knowledge in the field of pre-retirement education is "ex- ceedingly meager," he points out; in fact, his study is the first one in the field to use a control group. Therefore, the research is ex- pected to shed some much-needed light on the social and economic disruption workers of retirement age face, and Hunter hopes that his report will lay the groundwork for a proven and coherent program to help these individuals make the critical adjustment. The other project of the Univer- sity institute is being conducted'at Ypsilanti State Hospital. Senility Changes Here, a "normalized community" ward of geriatric mental patients has been established to determine portant role in this type of ill-i ness, and that the psychiatric cases were not hopeless. In spite of this advance, older mental patients often do not re- ceive the best of care. They have to compete with younger patients, and "fail to receive a proportion- ate share of active treatment and rehabilitation services," Prof. Don- ohue continues. Great Anxiety And "fear of senility and pro- gressive deterioration creates great anxiety and helps to precipitate mental breakdown" among the aged. The current research is based on an "activity theory," which holds that adjustment in old age is promoted by continuing activ- ity. However, as there is a distinct paucity of research on this hy- pothesis, and also on the entire subject of the relationship of so- cial and psychological factors to geriatric mental illness, the insti- tute researchers established the special ward. Provide Work Shops In it, sheltered workshops for craft training, homemaking, and other light labor activities are pro- vided. Group social, recreational and leisure-time activities have also been set up. Records are kept on these pa- tients' interest and extent of in- volvement, and their therapeutic progress will be correlated with those persons having "normal" treatment beginning next Febru- ary. Both the pre-retirement and geriatric mental illness projects are supported by federal as well as University funds. AT KESSEL'S CAMPUS SHOP we know what yo~ and we have it Look to us for these fine BRAND names Petti PROF. WILMA T. DONAHUE ... old age, illness whether hospitals can arrest the rate of senility changes in such persons and whether they can ever be rehabilitated and discharged. In the special ward, treatment includes intensive psycho-social therapy consisting of work proj- ects and group social experiences. Progress of the patients in this section will be compared with that made by patients under the usual "custodial type of care." Some Hope It has only been in recent years that aged mental patients were thought to, have some hope for treatment and rehabilitation, Prof. Donohue stated in her research proposal. Previously, it had been assumed that such persons suffered from irreversible organic changes in the brain. But research within the last decade hasshown that social and psychological factors play an im- B. E. FRENCH & CO. i?. VIEUX CARRE THREE DINING ROOMS Each with the old-world charm of New Orleans. FOR DINNER OR A SNACK... OPEN: LUNCH DINNER EVENING 217 SOUTH STATE STREET Personal Serbin Bobbie Brooks Jane Irwill Dalton James Kenrob Jonathan Logan Maid of Lucerne Maggi Stover Jerry Gilden Henry Levine Fred Perlberg R & K Originals Glen Garry Arthur Jay Weatherbee Donnybrook Macshore Stacey Ames Muriel Ryan Joan Miller Lorrie Deb Emma Domb Jonny Herbert Jamain iwant 53 \nn Arbor and e of Michigan. I Shop at ? OPEN A HARGE ACCOUNT DOWNTOWN 217 S. Main St. Hi, Welcome to A to the University Stop in anc I OPEN A CHARGE ACCOUNT ON THE CAMPUS 9 Nickels Arcade w7 i CF :1.".".Y."J: r. "J.4"i ".": ': J: V: JJ JJ: " JJ Y:." : v : ":.v :".4Y.v.4 r14:" .4Y: :4:YJ :4": J:: J: J: J.." :':t rr" }... ..:....1......."}. "}:"}1 . ."Vt.}I1: " { J ..fJ:":?"}}. .{J:J::. .{ti: J4Y' :"::ti :". ..{. .. : 4"": "":: Y: .......... ..... .. .J r. J. 4. .. ... " ... . .. ....::i ": 4V :. . .1 : ......................:::1:'i}:":"}::"::"}:":::":J::"}:'1}:":':}""::"::?"i:':"'.":"'.:'::':"t:": :'}:: : :"::::':^::':: .i .. }.." .:.v: Z."."::: . dsev:. f + ...4.:..4 . J.4.p., ..v...... q ."4".e¢: v.4v."::.:v::::.:v :.; .. ..4 ................................... . , ..: " .f.?.":}.. v....,.,'"::='. .v.v{tiv}}}::w.........4.v.a.r....:...r.....d}.".........%T}: k "r?.".":::r..vi.::\"::.:.J......4 ..............."....4:'}}:tii{d}S:::itib i:::{CC4:::WJ: a: r.4v::r. A :.......................... ................ ................... ... N .a. ' :S N f L C Stella Fagin knits dorm news for Jacobson's Fully lined, and wrinkle defying .. our brass-buttonei cotton-arnel knit dorm lounger. Warm, lightweight, easily 4I " _ . ?::1 less oc huUe 0 THE BEST DRES BEDS IN THE DORM WEAR BAT ~RgntftIr LtdL ' ..I j k ar- rY r L a .1 SED NE TES BED5PREAD FROM JACOBSON'S HOME DECORATIVE SHOP-Downstairs s M First Choice of Campus, U.S.A. Back to school dances, old friends, new friends . . and back to Bates, Left: Menswear wool ..