The objective of this study was to examine the activities, motivations, and barriers of activity engagement in the oldest-old residing in assisted living facilities (ALFs). Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 participants, aged 80–94 (standard deviation = 4.38), from two ALFs. Thematic analyses were used to identify and corroborate clusters of experiences. All residents stated that they desired enriching activities, most often in the form of productive work or community events. Although engaging in enriching activities was a universal desire, residents who experienced more functional limitations had an increased difficulty satisfying this need. Participants believed that activities offered by the ALF primarily served those who are cognitively impaired. ALF residents with severe mobility issues were not able to access more enriching activities outside the ALF compared to those with fewer physical limitations. However, the more physically impaired residents used a range of adaption methods that fit into the selection, optimisation, and compensation framework to overcome barriers to participate in meaningful activities. ALF residents who are cognitively fit but experience severe mobility limitations may be the most in need of enriching activities. To help these residents maintain a high quality of life, ALFs need to provide activities that appeal to residents of varying cognitive abilities and provide interventions to help aid their adaption to physical loss.

Reduced effectiveness of carbamothioate (thiocarbamate) herbicides in certain soils has been attributed to rapid herbicide degradation by soil microorganisms. Studies were conducted to determine if greater populations of EPTC (S-ethyl dipropyl carbamothioate)-degrading microorganisms were responsible for increased rates of degradation observed following repeated applications of EPTC to a Grenada silt loam soil. EPTC-degrading microorganism populations, measured with a 14C-MPN (most-probable-number) technique, were not larger in soils with accelerated rates of EPTC degradation, and degrader populations did not increase after application of 6 mg EPTC/kg of soil. Degrader populations increased after application of 60 mg EPTC/kg of soil only in soil previously treated for 6 yr with EPTC. Increased rates of metabolism of EPTC were apparently responsible for the increased rates of degradation, rather than increased populations of degraders.