The concept of life satisfaction has been central in much gerontological research.
However, that concept and findings concerning it have been far less central in the
activities of service providers. The concept has the potential to link the activities of
academicians and practitioners in ways that would benefit older people. Afocus on
research describing variables that influence life satisfaction and are subject to
manipulation by program and policy interventions would benefit practitioners in
program development and selection. Measures of life satisfaction used as program
impact and outcome measures would help assess the effectiveness of interventions
as well as contribute to applied research.
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