Gerontological research and science management and policy in the Netherlands.

After an initially slow development gerontological research has undergone a strong expansion in the last 10 to 15 years. The beginning of this development coincided with a growing awareness of an aging population and the start of an independent research policy. In the beginning of the seventies the idea emerged that socially relevant problems can also determine the direction of research. For the development of gerontology this has been important. The science and research policy of particularly the government with regard to gerontology is described. This policy resulted in two stimulation programs. The growth and current state of gerontology are illustrated by results from inventories of research in 1977 and 1985. In comparison with 1977 in 1985 the effort in people-power has almost tripled: 71 person-years in 1977 versus 192 in 1985. Most research is now done in university institutes unlike in 1977. The themes of research of the important centers are mentioned. After shortly considering developments in some other countries, one of the conclusions is that-now the interest in research has grown and research centers are being formed-we should learn from the absence of lasting effects of stimulation programs in other countries and continue our programs to give research a firmer base at the universities.

[Gerontologic research in the Netherlands in 1985. Basic data on the main issues of aging and senescence]. / Gerontologisch onderzoek in Nederland in 1985. Kerngegevens over de inzet in onderzoek naar ouder worden en ouderdom.

An inventory of the current gerontological research in the Netherlands has been made by the Steering Committee for Research on Aging (SOOM). The results are compared with data of 1977. In terms of effort in man-years (MY) the research has almost tripled. The investment in current research was 192 MY versus 71 in 1977. In biomedical research 49 MY were spent vs. 23 in 1977; in medical 60 vs. 19 in 1977; in social medical 8 (this category was not used in 1977); and in behavioral and social research 37 and in applied social 38 vs. 29 for all social gerontological research in 1977. 50% of all research is conducted by projects, 44% by projects within a program and 5% in programs, in which however a quarter of the total MY is spent. Applied social research is mainly project-bound (66%), biology only for 28%. The average duration of the research varies from 4.5 years (biology) to 1.5 years (applied social research). Almost 60% of the current research is carried out within universities. 5 of them invest more than 5 MY in gerontological research. The institute with the greatest effort in MY is a non-university institute (the Institute of Experimental Gerontology TNO, Rijswijk, with two extensive programs). In 70% of the university research the university contributes more or less financially. In (medical)biological gerontology the central and peripheral nervous system is the most frequently studied subject (especially dementia). In medical gerontology dementia is the main subject; and in social gerontology home care and extra- and intramural care.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Dutch study of the older employee and retirement: an overview]. / Nederlands onderzoek naar de oudere werknemer en de pensionering: Een overzicht.

This article reviews the Dutch research on older workers and retirement, which has been done between 1974 and 1979 and is reported in the Register van Sociaal-Gerontologisch Onderzoek, deel III, 1974-1979. Described is research on older workers, early retirement and pre-retirement courses. It is concluded that research should also be directed towards the still healthy older worker, in order to take preventive measures; that for the enlargement of the possibilities of voluntary, early retirement the financial problems should first be solved and, finally, that evaluation research has to be done on the influence of pre-retirement courses on the adjustment to retirement. Some research problems are mentioned.

[Dutch research on mental disorders in old age: a literature review]. / Nederlands onderzoek naar psychische stoornissen op latere leeftijd: een literatuuroverzicht.

This article reviews the Dutch research on psychological disorders in the aged, which has been done between 1974 and 1979 and is reported in the Register van Sociaal-Gerontologisch Onderzoek, deel III, 1974-1979. Described is research on the prevalence, the treatment facilities, the assessment methods, on dementia and psychotherapy for the aged. It is concluded that research should be also directed, firstly, towards the elderly living independently or in homes for the aged and not only, as is now the case, towards older people living in nursing homes and psychiatric hospitals and, secondly, towards the prevention of disorders and an outpatient mental health care system for the aged. Finally, it is concluded that there should be more experimental psychological research to improve treatment methods for older people with cognitive, speech and motor disorders.