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Discusses the documentation of health information in the United States (U.S.) and questions who has the right to see a patient's record and maintain the information. Problems associated with the healthcare system in the U.S.; Criticism over the government's proposal to broaden access to private records; Inadequate protection of healthcare information; Pressures placed on patients to gain control over their medical care.

Focuses on the use of the internet for assessing medical information. Details on the use of web site for health access mainly by persons over 65 or older; Information on the number of customer oriented Web sites on health; Comments from director of health programming for Thrive, The Time, Incorporated, Wendy Marx.

Reports that the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) and the National Association of Counties (NACo), have joined forces to explore the issue of collaborating a plan for an aging America. Information on the project `Meeting the Challenges and Opportunities of an Aging America;' Discussions of the need to inform members about aging; Statements from Sandra Markwood, director of human services for Naco.

States that a CBS Incorporated poll shows that two in three Americans supports the legalization of marijuana for medical purposes for people with serious illnesses. Description of the Government's disapproval; Information on the penalties if caught with marijuana; Reference to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) report.

Focuses on the use of alternative medicine by persons in the United States. Description of the various research done on alternative medicine; Reasons the research is being funded; How the defined practice of complementary and alternative medicine is understood.

Focuses on the developing trends of library services in the United States, referred to as service for the `Sandwich Generation.' What the term means; Reference to to a discussion which was held at the American Libraries Association's annual conference, in San Francisco in June 1997; Details on the topics discussed at the conference; Comments from Linda Lucas Walling of the University of South Carolina College of Library and Information Sciences.

Focuses on accessible housing for the elderly in the United States. Examination of pending legislation that could making accessible housing for the elderly difficult; How Medicare has been modified to address some of these housing problems; Need for affordable housing for the elders.

Reports that White House and Senate welfare reformers in the United States have plans of terminating Supplemental Security Income (SSI) to noncitizens living legally in the United States by August, 1997. How the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 is being used to enact such legislation; Implications of the act; How immigrants feel about the legislation.

Discusses the development of a pilot project by Vivian F. Carlin, a Pennsylvanian consulting gerontologist, to examine how different preretirement housing programs affect middle-aged and older people's attitudes about planning for retirement. Why most elders prefer to remain in their own homes; Ages of elders who are unaware of the array of housing options available to them; Details on Carlin's project.

Presents a summary of reports from government agencies and organizations in the United States. Estimation of Americans who need long-term care; Volume of policy papers by the Council on the Economic Impact of Health System Change; Management of Medicare-paid home healthcare by Health maintenance organizations (HMOs).

Presents information on the movie `It's a Wonderful Life,' and its impact on the American people. Description of what the film is about; Information on the production of `It's a Wonderful Life: Our Lives Re-Viewed,' a radio special on the meaning of the film; Details on the roles in the films.

Presents information on the views of the National Council on Health Fraud (NCHF) on alternative medicine. How the alternative medicine is termed as quackery; Statements made by Saul Green, a member of the NCHF; Information on Green's reasons for persons being interested in alternative medicine.

Presents information on the challenges which grandparent caregivers in the United States face. Information on the circumstances which allows grandparents to parent children; How such circumstances cause depression in the grandparent; Description of the results of various studies conducted on the issue; Impact of the changes in welfare programs by the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity act of 1996. INSET: A `RAAPP' for grandparents..

Presents information as it pertains to aging. Information on `Key Issues Affecting Accessibility to Medigap Insurance,' a commonwealth Fund study reveals information on Medigap insurance; Description of Consumer Reports investigation which assesses and rates long-term care insurance.

Presents highlights from a 1997 report entitled `Understanding Senior Housing: Into the Next Century,' issued by the American Association of Retired Persons. How data for the report was collected; How most older adults feel about their present living arrangements; Examination of some of the findings documented in the report.

Presents information on a selection of reports from government agencies and private organizations in the United States, on health related issues. Details on the findings of a study which focused of patient care options for the elderly; Reference to an article entitled `Strengthening the Social Compact: An Intergenerational Strategy'; Information on a survey conducted by Louis Harris and Associates for The National Council of the Aging.

Summarizes a selection of 1997 reports from government agencies and private organizations which relate to the elderly population in the United States. Highlights from a study conducted by researchers at the University of Kansas medical school, which deals with how much patients understand in relation to medical advice from their doctor; Which aspects of Social Security reform is being opposed by American workers and retirees; Other news.

Looks at how exercise can improve the mood of the elderly. Findings of a study conducted on the topic, which was presented at the 1997 Annual Scientific Sessions of the Society of Behavioral Medicine in San Francisco, California; Comments from Abby King, a professor of health at Stanford University's Center for Research in Disease Prevention.

Reports that a pilot study conducted by neurologists at the University of Southern California's (USC) medical school has suggested that the regular practice of the Chinese daily regimen of fluid movement, tai chi chuan, can boost the spirits of older people as well as help those afflicted with Parkinson's disease. When and where the study was first published.

Focuses on the care of patients with Parkinson's disease with comments from Mark Stacy, director of the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Research Center in Phoenix, Arizona. How the disease is treated at different stages; Resourceful information on the disease; Contact point.

Presents a listing of American organizations that are among the nation's foremost resources on Parkinson's disease research, practice and family care.

Reports that the National Institutes of Health in the United States has announced that an international team of scientists has discovered the gene responsible for some cases of early-onset Parkinson's disease. When the discovery was first publicized; Advantages of the discovery; How the gene was discovered, and by whom.

Provides information on the spiritual and ethical dilemmas faced by relatives and persons suffering from dementia, presented in a forum held at the American Society on Aging 1997 meeting held in Nashville, Tennessee, in March. Speakers at the forum; How parishioners and healthcare workers can assist; Concern of family members trying to fulfill their moral obligation to dementia relatives; Basic beliefs and faith in God questioned.

Presents information on a study conducted by music therapists at Michigan State University in collaboration with neurobiologists and researchers in aging, on the biochemical effects of music-making on dementia patients. Length of the study; Number of Alzheimer's patients taking part in the study; Comments from Carl Eisdorfer, head of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science at the University of Miami.

Presents information on the session presented by aging music performers of the blues, held during the American Society on Aging (ASA) March 1997 meeting in Nashville, Tennessee. Blues performers who addressed the meeting; Contribution of ASA member Diana Fabacher Dittes to the session; Details on youth, family and community specialist Carol Binta, an audience member who participated in the session.

Highlights the finding of the Geisinger Health System on the health status of elderly in the United States screened for membership in the company's coverage. Company's findings on the elders' diets; Functional limitations findings; Rate of obesity; Informational offerings of the screening; Company's planned interventions.

Summarizes a selection of government agencies and private organizational reports relating the care of the aged in the United States as of April 1997. Includes consumers' claim on subacute providers' violation of nursing home regulations; Study findings on the faithfulness of American elderly as patients; Study findings on the chances of black and white populations to care for their elderly.