Temporal context and the perceptions of geriatric patients.

The prevalence in later life of long-term, chronic conditions requires that researchers and clinical professionals become sensitive to the temporal context of older persons' personal and health-related perceptions. A sample of patients at a geriatric ambulatory clinic responded to a questionnaire sent prior to their appointment. The present report focuses on expectations regarding future health and treatment, general personal future projection, and perceptions of current health. Present self-rated health status and future projection were significant associates both of anticipated future health and treatment expectations. However, questions directed toward when treatment benefits were expected to begin and for how long treatment might last were characterized by few predictors. Indications of optimism and uncertainty about future health and treatment were both represented, although neither general optimism nor general uncertainty appeared in a large segment of the sample. Results suggest the salience of future perspective for older adults in the health care setting, and the complexity which may be encountered as treatment progresses.