This book, now in paperback, revisits Peter Townsend's classic study of residential care for older people in Britain conducted in the late 1950s. It provides not only a fascinating account of residential care for older people over the last 50 years but is also an important contribution to the literature on research methods.

This book, now in paperback, revisits Peter Townsend's classic study of residential care for older people in Britain conducted in the late 1950s. It provides not only a fascinating account of residential care for older people over the last 50 years but is also an important contribution to the literature on research methods.

As the baby-boomer generation ages, nursing home care is likely to become a major social problem. New residents will put huge strains on already short staffing at a time when funding to government-assisted homes (75 percent of all nursing homes) is lower than ever.
Based on her ten years of experience working as a Licensed Practical Nurse in many care facilities, attorney Donna M. Reed shares her insider knowledge to help ensure that nursing home residents receive the best care possible. Reed focuses on the following key points:
- The legal requirements of nursing homes regarding delivery of care
- The ways in which many nursing homes regularly break these laws
- Detailed descriptions of how the typical nursing home operates
- The responsibilities of each nursing home employee
- Nursing home inspections
- Residents' rights
- How to avoid substandard care
- What actions to take to improve nursing home life
Reed's firsthand knowledge of nursing home care and her in-depth understanding of the legal requirements that protect residents offer invaluable information to readers concerned about nursing home care for a loved one.

Population aging is occurring worldwide. Reports of abuse and neglect of older men and women are also evident on a global basis. While much of the work on identification, treatment and prevention of abuse of older persons has been within the family setting, it cannot be separated from the broader experience of growing old in contemporary society. Time and time again, issues around legislation, policy and practice collide with human rights, societal attitudes and stereotypes.

Raising awareness of the linkamong aging, ageism and abuse, is one goal of this book and a necessary first step in the battle to eliminate abuse and neglect of older persons. But awareness is not enough, action needs to be taken to develop, case finding procedures and remedial and preventive policies and programs that are elder-friendly both in intent and in the way that they are implemented. This book offers a thought-provoking examination of selected current policies and programs that have been developed within the health, social services and criminal justice systems. It highlights the special issues and vulnerabilities of older women, older men and persons from the LGTB community. It also features a unique approach to reaching young people through an educational program that shapes attitudes and behavior via graphic art.
* Clear, straightforward writing style - reader does not have to contend with murky theories and obscure references

* Practical approach - readers can relate to the examples that are provided of situations in which abuse and neglect has or can occur"

Southeast and East Asian countries are undergoing varying stages of population ageing. The social, economic and political implications of population ageing will be enormous, and because of the fast speed of ageing in the region, the countries cannot afford the luxury of time for the gradual evolution of social and structural support systems and networks for the older population. The essays in this volume critically examine national ageing policies and programmes, the sustainability of existing pension systems, housing and living arrangements, inter-generational transfer, and aspects of quality of life of the elderly population. While the findings show that most Southeast Asian countries have started to formulate and implement national ageing policies, they also indicate that the existing policies are by and large inadequate and underdeveloped in serving the needs of the older population and indeed much more must be done to prepare for the future.

A groundbreaking exploration of the sociology of dementia with contributions from distinguished international scholars and practitioners. * Organised around the four themes of personhood, care, social representations and social differentiation * Provides a critical look at dementia and demonstrates how sociology and other disciplines can help us understand its social context as well as the challenges it poses * Contributing authors explore the social terrain, responding in part, to Paul Higgs and Chris Gilleard s highly influential work on ageing * Breaks new ground in giving specific attention to the social and cultural dimensions of responses to dementia

Mary Ellen Geist decided to leave her job as a CBS Radio anchor to return home to Michigan when her father's Alzheimer's got to be too much for her mother to shoulder alone. She chose to live her life by a different set of priorities: to be guided by her heart, not by outside accomplishment and recognition.
The New York Times wrote a front page story about Mary Ellen on Thanksgiving 2005. It was one of the most e-mailed stories for the month. Mary Ellen also kept a blog of her experiences, which received an enormous response from readers on WCBS880.com. Through her own story and through interviews with doctors and other women who've followed the "Daughter Track"--leaving a job to care for an aging parent--Geist offers eye-opening advice. She shares emotional insights on how to encourage interaction with the loved one you're caring for; how to determine daily tasks that are achievable and rewarding; how the personality of the patient affects the caregiving and the progression of the disease; as well as invaluable advice about how the reader can take care of themselves while accomplishing the Herculean task of constant caregiving to others.
Geist's years in journalism allow her to report on Boomers' caretaking dilemmas with professional objectivity, and her warm voice brings compassion and insight to one of the most difficult stituations a son or daughter may face during his or her life.

Over the past few years, the Institute for Prospective Technological Studies (IPTS) has been carrying out research in the field of ageing, with a focus on the role that Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) can play to promote Active Ageing. IPTS has looked at the issue from several perspectives, including the socio-economic and technological dimensions of both the ageing phenomenon and the Active Ageing policies that the EU is now adopting. "Information and Communication Technologies for Active Ageing" attempts to reflect aspects of the contribution ICT can make to quality of life for older citizens in Europe. Benefits can be found in health, employment, housing and elsewhere. The potential market for innovative solutions in ICT for Active Ageing is crucial for the European economy and for the society at large. The European Union has the opportunity to become a research and market leader through innovative applications and services for ageing. Moreover, the promotion of societal values in Europe regarding ageing can serve as a model for other ageing societies. This book is to be expected to contribute to the debates on ICT for Active Ageing and provide important hints for research in the field fostered by the European Commission's Directorate General for Information and Media.

According to the US Census Bureau, about 40 million Americans will be age 65 or older in 2010. By the year 2040, the population of older adults in the United States (US) will double to about 80 million, with the greatest rate of increase in those aged 85 years and older. This population-ageing trend is likely to parallel the increase in the incidence of disability and chronic conditions and to bring about challenges to late life well-being. Despite advances and popularity of science and technology over the past century, national surveys have consistently recorded high rates of religious or spiritual involvement in the US, especially among older persons and disadvantaged populations. In the past decade, scientific investigation in the protective effects of faith on physical and mental health has surged. Yet, how faith factors precisely influence health-related functions and well-being in late life remains under-investigated. Clearly, more comprehensive research evidence is needed to meet ageing Americans' spiritual needs. The chapters in this book explore common topics during the later part of life, including disability, declining functioning, nursing home residency, death-and-dying, terminal illness, heart failure, major medical operation, vision impairment, and exercise and fitness. In our interdisciplinary investigations, contributors include gerontologists from various disciplines and professions (i.e., psychology, sociology, social work, theology, public health, and medicine). All these empirical studies are based on social science theories. To meet the needs of a broad array of various audiences, they also offer some evidence-based implications for practices.

Being old is different in many ways: different from what we anticipated in younger years, different from other chapters in our lives, and, nowadays, different from what it has been in the past. Above all, is a totally new individual experience and different for each person. To look at the complexity of these differences is the aim of this book. In "Being Old is Different" some basic person-centred principles and their implementation in everyday care are described; the themes that become relevant in the last chapters of life, and their impact on care for old people, are highlighted.The book aims to demonstrate why the Person-Centred Approach is particularly useful in this field; how it can be transferred into practice; how it helps to improve the life quality of old people and, at the same time, make work more satisfying for carers. Marlis Portner's book is not about specific nursing or therapy methods but about fundamental principles, which are valuable in different areas of care. The term 'carer', therefore, is used here for all those who, professionally or voluntarily, work with old people, and the term 'care' embraces nursing as well as therapeutic and supportive activities.

This collection offers a fascinating comparative analysis of two very different approaches to social policy on ageing. By analyzing the different foundations and systems established by Beveridge in Britain and Bismarck in Germany this book provides a well-constructed and truly comparative perspective on a range of key issues. Each chapter is co-authored by a leading German and a British figure in the field allowing for a unique insight into the differing policies.

Care Managers: Working With The Aging Family Addresses The Unmet Needs Of Care Managers Working With Aging Clients As Well As The Client's Entire Family. With Its In-Depth Focus On The " Aging Family System, This Book Fills A Gap For Medical Case Managers And Geriatric Care Managers Giving Them Tools To Better Meet The Treatment Goals Of Aging Clients And Their Families, As The Older Clients Move Through The Continuum Of Care In Institutional Based Settings Or Community Based Settings. Care Managers: Working With The Aging Family Uniquely Focuses On Helping The Entire Family Unit Through The Process Of Death And Dying, Helping Midlife Siblings To Work Together To Render Care To Aging Parents. It Adds Proven Techniques To The Care Manager Repertoire Such As Family Meetings, Forgiveness, Technology, And Care Giver Assessment. It Offers Multiple Tools To Do An Effective Care Plan So That Both The Needs Of The Family And The Older Client Are Met.

It 's a core issue at the heart of elder care: while best-practice data exist for long-term care, quality of life as a concept, measure and standard for care outcomes remains elusive. The result of an ambitious European research initiative, the Care Keys Project addresses quality of life issues among frail, care-dependent seniors, taking their social as well as health needs into account. This resulting volume explains the theory behind Care Keys, its methodology, empirical findings, and practical considerations in promoting effective, efficient elder care aimed at social and emotional well-being and including disabled and cognitively impaired patients.

This book examines the many economic and budgetary aspects of aging, and of an aging population, exploring the welfare state and incentives to retire, the macroeconomic and fiscal implications of aging and the long-run effects of government spending on the elderly. There is also an examination of the changing patterns of retirement behaviour, economic well-being and gender disparities among the elderly, the interaction between private and public provisioning, and aspects of retirement security.

""Taking Care of Barbara" is an inspirational resource book for anyone living in the world of Alzheimer's. There are clear and concise caregiver tips and references in dealing with the everyday struggles that come with the progression of the disease. What a gift to know and be able to anticipate the needs of our loved one when they may not be able to communicate them. Most importantly, this book is a celebration of family and the relationship between the caregiver and the patient. It lifts the caregiver above the everyday struggles and reminds us of where to find the strength and joy in the frequent frustrations of the day. It inspires us to love beyond the external happenings and shows us there lies a deeper and greater gain that will enrich our spirit. The world of Alzheimer's may feel overwhelming, but this book encourages caregivers to get out of bed, put their feet on the floor and face the day with renewed strength and purpose."
-Kelly Cason Hunter, Hospice Volunteer, Pediatric Nurse

""Taking Care of Barbara" is an inspirational resource book for anyone living in the world of Alzheimer's. There are clear and concise caregiver tips and references in dealing with the everyday struggles that come with the progression of the disease. What a gift to know and be able to anticipate the needs of our loved one when they may not be able to communicate them. Most importantly, this book is a celebration of family and the relationship between the caregiver and the patient. It lifts the caregiver above the everyday struggles and reminds us of where to find the strength and joy in the frequent frustrations of the day. It inspires us to love beyond the external happenings and shows us there lies a deeper and greater gain that will enrich our spirit. The world of Alzheimer's may feel overwhelming, but this book encourages caregivers to get out of bed, put their feet on the floor and face the day with renewed strength and purpose."
-Kelly Cason Hunter, Hospice Volunteer, Pediatric Nurse

As the population of retirees between the ages of 65 and 75 continues to grow, professionals, researchers, and educators in all areas of the health care and the business sectors will require more expertise on the latest trends to make better decisions and improve systems.

Contributed by nationally recognized experts, "The Crown of Life: Dynamics of the Early Post-Retirement Period" presents some of the most important and current decision-making research describing life between the ages of 65 and 75. Topics cover many aspects and social issues of retirement including: Demographics Functioning and Well-being Aging Black Americans Late Middle Age The Impact of Work Change and Stability Health and Religiousness Social Relations Leisure Activities Male Satisfaction Everyday Life Gay Lives Retirement Community Life

For anyone interested in the key issues and current trends of this growing population, editors Jacquelyn Boone James and Paul Wink provide one of the most important and current expert collections dedicated to the Crown of Life period.

About the Series...
Now celebrating its 26th year, this series of annual reviews, established by Carl Eisdorfer, is designed to encompass the broad spectrum of concerns in aging, including psychology, biology, medicine, sociology, and public policy. The goal is to present reviews of the highest quality and to address those important questions that are salient to all gerontologists.

A moving ethnographic account of the transnational caregiving experiences and practices of migrants and refugees who live in Australia, with their parents in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and New Zealand. This timely work contributes rich detailed knowledge of how people respond to a world characterised by unprecedented mobility (both voluntary and forced), globalised job markets and an ageing population, as increasing numbers of families find themselves spread across the globe and caring for their elderly parents from a distance.

This unique project explores one of the increasingly popular policies for long-term care: the provision to care users of cash, rather than services so that they can employ their own caring labour directly. The authors are scholars from Austria, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, the USA and the United Kingdom in the fields of social policy and gerontology. The book includes introductory and concluding chapters by the editors, which develop new theories of care commodification and present a comparative overview of these important policy trends.

The failure of long-term care is the country's best-kept embarrassing secret. Almost every adult in the United States will either enter a nursing home or have to deal with a parent or other relative who does. Studies show that 40 percent of all adults who live to age sixty-five will enter a nursing home before they die, while even more will use another form of long-term care.

Part memoir, part practical guide, part prescription for change, "It Shouldn't Be This Way" is a unique look at the problems of long-term care. Robert L. Kane, a highly experienced physician and gerontologist, and his sister, Joan C. West, tell the painful story of what happened to their mother after she suffered a debilitating stroke and spent the last years of her life in rehabilitation, assisted-living facilities, and finally a nursing home. Along the way, her adult children encountered some professionals who were kind and considerate but also many frustrations--inadequate care and the need to hire private duty aides, as well as poor communication and lack of coordination throughout the system. The situation, they found, proved far more difficult than it needed to be.

As the authors recount their mother's story, they impart various lessons they learned from each phase of the experience. They alert those who are confronting such situations for the first time about what they will likely face and how to approach the problems. Closing with a broader look at why long-term care is the way it is, they propose steps to make necessary reforms, including the development of national organizations to work for change. Their message to families, care professionals, and policy-makers could not be more urgent.

Outdoor mobility in old age is a complex phenomenon. On the one hand, it is a basic human need and means the physical ability to move. On the other, it means the realization of all types of trips out-of-doors, either by foot or by means of transportation. In addition, societal and individual necessities, modern values and economic interests mutually reinforcing each other have resulted in mobility as an ever more important precondition of ensuring the ability to lead an autonomous life and participate actively in society according to one's individual needs. Mobility also promotes healthy ageing, delays the onset of disabilities, and postpones frailty, thereby contributing to subjective well-being and life satisfaction. With advancing age, however, maintaining mobility may become jeopardized because of the increasing risk of physical and sensory impairments. This book includes information on older people's actual out-of-home mobility, on the transportation tools used, the prevalence of typical problems associated with out-of-home mobility, the impact of health, social networks, the home and neighbourhood environments, and psychological aspects on their mobility and activities, differences between urban and non-urban areas, and age and gender differences. In addition, a new model of mobility is suggested and the relation between mobility and quality of life is analysed. The book concludes with implications for social and transport policies, urban planning, and industrial pursuits for meeting the mobility needs of ageing adults.

Both the content and format of this new essential book show the authors' unique understanding of what caregivers need most and have the hardest time finding: direct, practical, problem-solving answers that teach them to cope and help them regain control. The easy-to-read, relaxing informality of questions and answers - a one-of-a-kind format in eldercare books - simultaneously solves readers' problems and provides them with an often gently humorous, occasionally provocative, and frequently poignant look into the emotions and lives of their fellow caregivers. Complete with helpful interactive worksheets and resource lists, this book's helpful mixture of humour, comforting support, and concrete advice offers invaluable support and practical advice.

The contributors to this volume reference a shared, longitudinal corpus of spontaneous conversation elicited in natural settings from speakers with moderate to late moderate Alzheimer's Disease, utilizing other collections as appropriate, to analyze conversation, discourse and written text by and about Alzheimer's speech. Cross-disciplinary contributions from the USA, Canada, New Zealand and Germany, representing linguistics, gerontology, geriatric nursing, computer science, and communications disorders report on empirically-based investigations of social and pragmatic language competencies and strategies retained by AD patients which could ground communication enhancements or interventions.

A practicing psychoanalyst offers one of the first books to help navigate the profound emotional challenges of caring for elderly parents in a strained parent-child relationship.

This collection of essays is about dependent older people and their families, that is, older people who need help in their daily life: from the frail elderly who need mainly minor assistance in performing housework or for transportation, to severely disabled older people, bed-ridden or senile. The studies reported in this book offer a wide and informed overview of issues connected with caring for frail and disabled older people, whether carried out by family caregivers, paid helpers or formal caregivers. That the number of older people world-wide is increasing can certainly be considered a human achievement, but at the same time it generates a series of problems that must be faced.