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The United Nations International Year of Older Persons (IYOP) in 1999 prompted the Australian Psychological Society (APS) to review its responsibilities and to consider the contribution of psychological research and practice to the wellbeing of older Australians. This article reports a series of recommendations for public policy, research, training and psychological practice, drawn from a larger Position Paper that addressed a spectrum of issues. The aim is to encourage psychologists to turn a critical gaze on themselves and to examine ways in which psychology can be used to promote successful ageing. The article begins with a definition of “successful ageing”. This is followed by an examination of ageism and how this affects community expectations of older people and the quality of aged care services. Attention also is given to the low visibility of psychologists in service planning and delivery and to the overemphasis of much psychological research and practice on deficits and decline in later years. The International Year of Older Persons has come and gone, but the true test of its effectiveness will lie in evidence of longer-term changes in attitudes, policies and practices. Psychologists have much to contribute to these changes and to enhancing the wellbeing of older Australians.This article is taken from an Australian Psychological Society Position Paper (Gridley et al., 2000) prepared by a Working Group of the Directorate of Social Issues comprising the authors with additional input from Helen Christensen, Mavis Hoy, Delys Sargeant, the APS Far North Coast of NSW Branch, Ann Sanson, Colleen Tumer, and members of the APS Board of Directors. Acknowledgement is made of the use of material adapted from the American Psychological Association's (1997) presidential initiative on ageing and ageing issues.

Objectives: To examine cross‐sectional and longitudinal effects of history of smoking, alcohol use and engagement in exercise on cognitive performance. Method: Health habits and cognitive performance of a large community sample of older adults were assessed at measurement points two years apart.

Employee rights and employer awareness of areas of current conflict and sensitivity are the subjects of this paper. The focus is upon four areas: hiring, investigation of employee misconduct, firing, and post-employment decisions by management.

Employee relations in the hospitality industry require an awareness and sensitivity to the protections afforded particular classes of people. This article briefly examines the laws enacted and then identifies significant case decisions in 1987 which interpret and apply these laws to hotel and restaurant situations.