Published in Cooperation with the Midwest Council for Social Research on Aging Improved standards of living coupled with advancements in medical technology have enhanced much of the populations' opportunities for living long and productive lives. But what are the implications for living longer? Is living longer necessarily the best thing for the individual? And, what about the quality of that life? In this insightful volume, leading figures in social gerontology present state-of-the-art research on health and longevity. They discuss such consequential topics as health promotion and disease prevention, supply and demand for social and medical services, governmental and community response to needs, and effects of gender and ethnicity on health and life circumstances. In addition, they provide a sound basis for understanding the theoretical questions and empirical findings of a growing and multifaceted field. The Legacy of Longevity is an excellent resource for anyone wishing to understand the health and social implications of an aging population. Administrators and policymakers will find its practical information useful in planning and implementing programs to improve the health and social well-being of older persons. "Address[es] a variety of topics pertinent to the health care of older adults including conceptualizing and measuring health; social factors associated with becoming sick; use of health-care services; organization and financing of health-care services; and the interaction of the system with the individual. . . . Recommended for upper-level undergraduate and graduate students." --Choice "This book provides intelligent discussion of the important issues in health care and health policy for elderly people today. The authors' expertise in setting out their arguments clearly is obvious and the outcome is an inspired presentation of what could appear to be a dull topic. It should become a key text for the specialist readers." --Journal of Advanced Nursing "Purely as a work of reference, the book is very useful. But it is more than that. . . . There is no shortage of fresh insights or of controversial positions; the authors on the whole, do not get bogged down in the minutiae of their findings or the findings of others but set them in context and discuss them with concern and enthusiasm. . . . The editor is to be congratulated on the way in which he has assembled and balanced the various contributions, successfully weathering the perils of overlap and repetition." --Ageing in Society "The Legacy of Longevity is a multiauthor collaborative effort, full of information bound to be of interest to serious students, educators, and practitioners in the fields of aging. It provides a comprehensive overview of state-of-the-art research on health and longevity as these relate to social issues." --Pride Institute of Long Term Home Health Care

This accessible introduction to key concepts, methods and issues in social gerontological research presents a unique view of the research process by focusing on the relationships between conceptual definition and research methodology and between research, policy and practice. At a theoretical level, the text draws on the core gerontological concepts of age, dependency, social support and quality of life to illustrate their complexity, and the difficulties of measurement. On a practical level, the contributors present a number of methodological approaches which have been particularly useful in social gerontological research. Finally, they consider three critical issues: whether old people require special ethical consideration; the prospects for funding; and the importance of disseminating research effectively. Researching Social Gerontology has been specially commissioned by the British Society for Gerontology to outline current thinking in conceptual and methodological development, and the context in which gerontological research is being carried out. As such it will prove stimulating and useful for researchers at all levels, practitioners, policy-makers and those with a more general interest in the ageing process.

What impact does caring for an elderly parent have on the lives of middle-aged (and sometimes elderly) caregiving offspring? Does a relationship exist between the stress produced by dependency and the level of abuse toward a given elderly person? Reporting the long-awaited results of an extensive study by one of the leading authorities in this field, this volume examines these and other pertinent questions regarding this growing social problem. In addition, this volume addresses the intent behind so-called abuse treatment, the passive/active continuum of abuse, and the relationship between perceived success or failure of the caregiving and the amount of abuse. Elder Abuse and Family Care is must reading for both professionals and students in the areas of family violence, family studies, criminology, psychology, and aging. "This fine study by Steinmetz and her colleagues gives substance to what we were only glimpsing three or more decades ago and, further, focuses 'on the relationship between increased levels of dependency, stress, and feelings of burden and elder abuse.' . . . There are numerous commendable features to the Steinmetz study. There are, for example, abundant, illustrative, verbatim quotes that give caretakers of elders a chance to express their feeling-states and conceptualizations about their situations. . . . In sum, there is much to be gained from [this study] for both those who are professionally concerned about gerontologic and geriatric research on support systems for elders and those who are lay persons who are in need of understanding what the passage of time does to person to whom we are closely related or care about." --International Social Science Review "The author offers valuable information to researchers, counselors, and clinicians working with 'generationally-inverse' families or individuals responsible for elder abuse." --Family Violence Bulletin "There is much to be gained from the Steinmetz study for both those who are professionally concerned about gerontologic and geriatric research on support systems for elders and those who are lay persons who are in need of understanding what the passage of time does to a person to whom we are closely related or care about. Implicit in context are the need for larger social systems than families to offer more than lip service to elder citizens, as well as the need for individuals to anticipate inevitable aging and what strategies maximize life satisfaction for themselves and their kin." --International Social Science Review "Steinmetz's findings provide a dynamic picture of the complexities and realities involved in families caring for frail elderly. The work is well written, and clearly addresses a topic of growing interest and awareness in the U.S. today. Highly recommended. . . for graduate and undergraduate students in human services or related programs." --Choice "The work is timely. . . and well organized. Appendices include the study questionnaire, a discussion of research design issues, additional tables and findings from the service provider component of the study. These materials may be helpful to those planning studies of elder abuse in their own communities." --Contemporary Sociology "From the comments of the interviewees, which are generously sprinkled throughout the text, the reader obtains a very graphic and disturbing account of the burden and stress of caregiving." --Disability Studies Quarterly "Perhaps the most valuable information in this book is contained in the profuse citation of caregivers' interviews, which provides a wealth of insight into their feelings, perceived burdens, and predominantly successful coping strategies. . . provide[s] valuable insight into the caregiver's world." --CARES: Center for Aging Research and Educational Services "There is much to be gained from the Steinmetz study for both those who are professionally concerned about gerontologic and geriatric research on support systems for elders and those who are lay persons who are in need of understanding what the passage of time does to persons to whom we are closely related or care about." --International Social Science Review

Examining recent research and practice on reminiscence, life review and life story work, this book offers critical accounts of the rapidly growing and extensive global literature, and highlights the continuing relevance and effectiveness of these therapeutic methods. The book includes examples of international practical projects, involving people of all ages, life circumstances, and levels of physical and cognitive functioning. Contributions from contemporary practitioners and researchers give a nuanced appraisal of the methods of engagement and creativity arising from the purposeful recall of our personal pasts. Chapters include reviews of technology, ethical issues including end of life care, working with people with mental health conditions, and working with people with dementia.

Activity and engagement are vital to our well-being throughout our lives and this continues to be just as true of people living with dementia. The activities presented in this book have been designed to provide meaningful engagement for residents, while respecting each individual resident's readiness to engage and participate. This approach to person-centred care has proven to be extremely effective: activities such as Namaste Care and Memory Cafes have engaged residents who had previously not responded to interventions, demonstrably showing an increase in their levels of well-being. Supported by case studies, each chapter will also recommend the best way to implement the ideas discussed in the care home environment and beyond.

Caring for a parent whose health is in decline turns the world upside down. The emotional fallout can be devastating, but it doesn't have to be that way. Empathic guidance from an expert who's been there can help. Through an account of two sisters and their ailing mother--interwoven with no-nonsense advice--The Emotional Survival Guide for Caregivers helps family members navigate tough decisions and make the most of their time together as they care for an aging parent. The author urges readers to be honest about the level of commitment they're able to make and emphasizes the need for clear communication within the family. While acknowledging their guilt, stress, and fatigue, he helps caregivers reaffirm emotional connections worn thin by the routine of daily care. This compassionate book will help families everywhere avoid burnout and preserve bonds during one of life's most difficult passages.

The findings from the study are a significant contribution to the growing international body of knowledge on the abuse of vulnerable adults. Pritchard's work is rooted in anti-ageist practice. Her passion and commitment to older people is evident throughout this book and she tackles the assumptions made about older men effectively.' - Social Work Education 'The purpose of this book is to give attention to the problems of elder men in abusive situations, so that those in helping capacities may better understand these men and the help that they need. The use of case illustrations is very effective in the discussion of reactions and responses to abuse. In some cases the, the negligence in follow through is noted for professionals working with the elderly persons. Importantly, too, the author describes her efforts in creating a milieu within focus groups for the men to articulate feelings about their experiences... Jacki Pritchard has written a book that can well be considered an important antecedent effort in identifying a problem that heretofore has not received needed attention... [An] informative and sensitively written book' - Journal of Elder Abuse and Neglect 'This is a neat little book, and I recommend it... Jacki Pritchard is clearly an expert in the field. As a former social worker, she brings practicality and a common-sense approach to her research, which `rings true' to the jobbing clinician. Moreover, Ms Pritchard writes clearly and concisely, and her quantitative and qualitative research techniques pass muster.' - International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry 'This book is a useful addition to our knowledge of the subject, as it covers the abuse experienced by older men, a topic that until recently has received little attention... This is an important book for practitioners working in the field of elder abuse. Whilst the research is not representative, the rich descriptions of the respondents' experiences are full of information and emotion. The book is also useful as a first step from which other, in-depth studies can be undertaken into abuse as experienced by older men... Pritchard's style is conversational and accessible. Material is introduced in a friendly and informal way.' - Ageing & Society Older men may, like older women, be victims of abuse - yet there has been little in either research or service provision to reflect this. Drawing on in-depth interviews with twelve older men who have experienced abuse, Jacki Pritchard presents much-needed practical guidance for care professionals, managers and policy makers working with this group. She describes the different kinds of abuse experienced by the men, which can include not only financial, physical, emotional and sexual abuse, but also physical and emotional neglect, and goes on to establish in detail the needs of older male victims of abuse and how they should be addressed. As well as having their emotional needs and their need for support over past abuse met, the men need a physical place of safety, medical care and the cultural awareness and continuous support of professional carers. This book presents clear guidelines for both the initial assessment of need and for good practice in the long term. It will enable all those working with older people to understand better the phenomenon of the abuse of older men and to apply this understanding to effective service provision.

`It is impossible in a short review to do justice to all those individual contributions, most of which are interesting in their own right ... Whilst this book is likely to be of particular interest to gerontologists looking for recent developments in approaches to ageing, many of the chapters also address policy issues related to care, housing and social security.' Social Policy `The book merits detailed study and should send ripples, if not waves, in a variety of directions. The wide range of topics that are covered should ensure that the papers will be of considerable value to those who are eclectic in their interests, as well as to those whose specialised interests are included among the wide range of topics. There is an excellent bibliography and a very good index.' - Baseline `The editors take a refreshing view of older people ...I found it difficult to put this book down. Each chapter is thoroughly researched and well written. The numerous tables and graphs are clearly explained and discussed. Altogether there is a cohesion in this work that is not always found in compilations ... As a reference book for al those concerned with the well-being of older people - administrators, social workers, nurses, doctors and others - this is a book which is well worth purchasing.' Geriaction `This excellent book acts as a salutary antidote to the narrow and limited study of old age ... well-disciplined ... clear-cut presentation ... deserves wide recognition.' - Age and Ageing `This is a very interesting book ... I certainly recommend this book ... and would strongly encourage this book to be included as one of the essential reference book to clinical psychology training courses, and sections of psychology services for older adults.' Newsletter of the Psychologists Special Interest Group for the Elderly `Here again is a significant book researching and reflecting on every aspect of life...' - Quarterly Journal of the Christian Council on Ageing `... a useful insight into the diversity of ageing experiences.' Nursing Times Ageing is a major policy issue, not only because of the increases in the size of the elderly population, but also due to the changes in the provision of community care. Using a life course approach, which emphasises the importance of recognising the effects of different life experiences on different groups of individuals and the interlinkage between phases of the life course, the book explores the ways in which bases of structural advantage and disadvantage, such as housing, social class, ethnicity, health and disability, have cumulative impacts on the situation of older people. This sociological analysis of later life focuses on three issues: Independence - the concept of autonomy and importance the elderly attachment to these Perceptions of ageing - how they vary according to different life course Social structural constraints associated with the material resources of older people - the policy implications of adopting a life course perspective.

Every person living with dementia is entitled to the highest standards of wellbeing and health and social care services. This in-depth, evidence-based book identifies how outstanding quality integrated care might be achieved, whether in residential or home-based settings. Experienced dementia researcher Dr Shibley Rahman highlights the key contemporary underpinnings of integrated care that are required for wellbeing for living with dementia, including technology, staff performance, leadership, and intelligent regulation of services. The book addresses the major challenges to promoting person-centred care, and tackles difficult conversations around spirituality, sexuality and dying well. The crucial importance of promoting physical and mental health is emphasised. Taking into account recent developments in NICE guidelines and Cochrane reviews for dementia, this book presents an opportunity for all those involved in the provision of care for people with dementia to maintain a focus on delivering the best care possible, and to engage with the wider issues surrounding wellbeing. This book will be especially useful to commissioners following the NHS 'new models of care' "vanguards".

This book is about the ways digital technology can contribute to the welfare of older people. The Internet, mobile phones and other technologies have changed how we live and work. Such technologies also shape how services for older people are organised in ways that potentially place carers and older people at the centre of service provision. Telecare can make homes 'smart' so that they are more comfortable and less risky for people who can take advantage of devices that help make them independent members of their community. Digital Welfare is part of the broader project in Britain and elsewhere to adopt new information and communications technologies (ICTs) to organise and deliver health and social welfare services. This includes mundane technologies like an alarm to call for help to complex telecare 'smart homes' and electronic patient records. The intended and unintended consequences of such new technologies must be explored if we are to benefit from these innovations. Based on recent research this book seeks to highlight and examine the new opportunities and dilemmas that confront older people and all those concerned with their welfare in the network society. This edited collection provides original contributions from leading academics and researchers in the field to access the evidence for improved professional integration and user-centred health and social care services for older people arising from health informatics. Digital Welfare for the Third Age will be of interest to all those working with older people.

As women moved into the formal labor force in large numbers over the last forty years, care work traditionally provided primarily by women has increasingly shifted from the family arena to the market. Child care, elder care, care for the disabled, and home care now account for a growing segment of low-wage work in the United States. But the expanding market provision of care has created new economic anxieties and raised pointed questions: Why do women continue to do most care work, both paid and unpaid? Why does care work remain low paid when the quality of care is so highly valued? In For Love and Money, an interdisciplinary team of experts explores the theoretical dilemmas of care provision and provides an unprecedented empirical overview of the looming problems for the care sector in the United States. Drawing on diverse disciplines and areas of expertise, For Love and Money develops an innovative framework to analyze existing care policies and suggest potential directions for care policy and future research. Contributors Paula England, Nancy Folbre, and Carrie Leana explore the range of motivations for caregiving, such as familial responsibility or limited job prospects, and why both love and money can be efficient motivators. They also examine why women tend to specialize in the provision of care, citing factors like job discrimination, social pressure, or the personal motivation to provide care reported by many women. Suzanne Bianchi, Nancy Folbre, and Douglas Wolf estimate how much unpaid care is being provided in the United States and show that low-income families rely more on unpaid family members for their child and for elder care than do affluent families. With low wages and little savings, these families often find it difficult to provide care and earn enough money to stay afloat. Candace Howes, Carrie Leana and Kristin Smith investigate the dynamics within the paid care sector and find problematic wages and working conditions, including high turnover, inadequate training and a pay penalty for workers who enter care jobs. These conditions have consequences: poor job quality in child care and adult care also leads to poor care quality. In their chapters, Janet Gornick, Candace Howes and Laura Braslow provide a systematic inventory of public policies that directly shape the provision of care for children or for adults who need personal assistance, such as family leave, child care tax credits and Medicaid-funded long-term care. They conclude that income and variations in states policies are the greatest factors determining how well, and for whom, the current system works. Despite the demand for care work, very little public policy attention has been devoted to it. Only three states, for example, have enacted paid family leave programs. Paid or unpaid, care costs those who provide it. At the heart of For Love and Money is the understanding that the quality of care work in the United States matters not only for those who receive care but also for society at large, which benefits from the nurturance and maintenance of human capabilities. This volume clarifies the pressing need for America to fundamentally rethink its care policies and increase public investment in this increasingly crucial sector."