Modification of verbal behavior of the mentally impaired elderly by their spouses.

Speaking disorders frequently result in serious consequences for mentally impaired elderly people. Two examples are presented illustrating the modification of both excess and deficit rates of talking via differential reinforcement procedures. Two men exhibiting verbal disorders severe enough to impair social interactions and lead to possible nursing home placement were treated by teaching their spouses to reinforce positive and ignore undesired verbal responses. Problem behaviors were reduced sufficiently to permit continued home care, and alternative positive behaviors were increased. These findings suggest that verbal behavior of the mentally impaired elderly can be affected by applying systematic consequences and can be modified by relatively simple procedures. These procedures provide an alternative to the negative effects of labels associated with either aversive or deficient verbal behaviors, promote more positive activities, and enable continued residence at home. Further, this research provides support for the generality of the utility of training spouses to serve as behavior therapists for the impaired elderly

Older adults’ perspectives on HIV/AIDS prevention strategies for rural Kenya

Though prevention of HIV/AIDS is the mainstay of various responses to the epidemic,communication strategies used to motivate behavior change are challenged for lack of cultural appropriateness, hence the lack of success. Participatory communication that is culture-centered and culturally sensitive is emphasized in HIV/AIDS communication to engage affected communities in defining problems and finding appropriate solutions. This paper examines the views of older adults as key targets in HIV/AIDS prevention given the increasing number of elderly living with the disease and their changing role as caregivers of those infected and affected by HIV. As cultural, social, political, and opinion leaders in rural communities, older adults are in a position to influence attitudes and behaviors of their community members, but they have not been involved in the current HIV/AIDS prevention interventions. Several recommendations were made to inform the design and implementation of a culture-specific prevention program for rural Kenya