Working Daughter is a revelatory look at who's caring for our aging population and how these unpaid family caregivers are trying to manage caring for their parents, raising their children, maintaining relationships, and pursuing their careers. It follows the author, who was enjoying a fast-paced career in marketing and raising two children when both of her parents were diagnosed with terminal illnesses on the same day. In the challenges she faced and the choices she made, readers will learn how they can navigate their own caregiving experiences and prepare for when they are inevitably called on to care for their parents.

Ageing populations are a major consideration for socio-economic development in the early twenty-first century. This demographic change is mainly seen as a threat rather than as an opportunity to improve the quality of human life, especially in Europe, where ageing has resulted in a reduction in economic competitiveness. Economic Foundations for Creative Ageing Policy mixes the silver economy, the creative economy, and the social economy to construct positive solutions for an ageing population. Klimczuk covers theoretical analyses and case study descriptions of good practices to suggest strategies that could be internationally popularized.

This volume is the fourth in a series designed to facilitate inter-disciplinary communication between scientists concerned with the description of societal phenomena and those investigating adult development. As such, it contains a compilation of papers presented at an annual conference held at the Pennsylvania State University. These essays by sociologists and epidemiologists deal with the impact of disease and health outcomes with advancing age and are critiqued by members of related disciplines. In addition, there are overviews as well as specific discussions about the impact of cancer, depression, and cardiovascular diseases upon psychosocial functions.

With this book, Siegel, an internationally known demographer and gerontologist, has made a unique contribution to the fledgling fields of health demography, and the demography and epidemiology of aging. The book represents a felicitous union of epidemiology, gerontology, and demography, and appears to be the first and only comprehensive text on this subject now available. Drawing on a wide range of sciences in addition to demography, gerontology, and epidemiology, including medical sociology, biostatistics, public policy, bioethics, and molecular biology, the author treats theoretical and applied issues, links methods and findings, covers the material internationally, nationally, and locally, and while focusing on the elderly, treats the entire life course. The methods, materials, and pespectives of demography and epidemiology are brought to bear on such topics as the prospects for future increases in human longevity, the relative contribution of life style, environment, genetics, and chance in human longevity, the measurement of the share of healthy years in total life expectancy, the role of population growth in the rising costs of health care, and the applications of health demography in serving the health needs of local communities. The separate chapters systematically develop the topics of the sources and quality of health data; mortality, life tables, and the measurement of health status; the interrelationships of health, on the one hand, and mortality, fertility, migration, and age structure, on the other; health conditions in the less developed countries; the concepts and theories of aging and projections of the aged population; and local health applications, public health policy, and bioethical issues in health demography. Given its comprehensiveness, clarity, interdisciplinary scope, and authencity, this book appeals to a wide range of users, from students and teachers of medical sociology, the demography of aging, and public health studies to practitioners in these areas, both as a text in health demography and the demography/epidemiology of aging, and as a reference work in these fields.

This book focuses on the concept of subjective views of aging. This concept refers to the way individuals conceptualize and perceive the aging process. Social and cultural perceptions regarding older adults are incorporated and internalized into views people hold regarding their own aging process. The book contains three parts which present theoretical, empirical, and translational perspectives about subjective views of aging. The theoretical section expands the framework of subjective views of aging with the inclusion of additional concepts, and further integrates these concepts by accounting for their synergistic effects. The empirical section presents recent developments in the field starting at the intra-individual level as assessed by ecological momentary assessments, going through the level of interpersonal relationships, and concluding at the social and cultural levels. Finally, the translational section presents recent endeavours to develop interventions aimed at advancing favourable views of aging. This cutting-edge edited book includes chapters written by internationally renowned scholars in the field and serves as an up-to-date resource for scholars in the field as well as a textbook for students in courses like social gerontology, lifespan psychology, and life course sociology.

Here is a unique text that examines the lives of middle-aged and old women. Women, Aging and Ageism, in response to the lack of literature that focuses on aging women, presents timely and definitive research that illustrates the implications of ageism and sexism. This landmark volume challenges powerful myths and dangerous stereotypes and identifies the damaging restrictions that society forces upon aging women. In extending feminist research to middle and old age, the chapters taken together comprise a critique of the conditions of the last third of women's lives. The authors use analytical tools and methodologies developed and modified by feminists to explore questions previously unasked. They focus on issues of deep concern to women at midlife and beyond, including the politics of reproduction, sexuality, social isolation, violence against women, equal opportunity, and the feminization of poverty.Women, Aging and Ageism is available for classroom adoption. Ideal for students and helping professionals working with middle-aged and old women and their families, this book provides models of effective interventions grounded in field research and clinical practice. For all readers concerned about middle-aged and old women and the quality of their lives, Women, Aging and Ageism is a rich resource filled with ideas and information and an affirmative new volume about the limitless possibilities of women's achievement in midlife and old age.

Roberta Provenzano believed the study of psychology should ultimately bring more happiness to the world. A deep thinker, she focused particularly on aging. Her collected articles on the subject propose to show that the myths and stereotypes of deterioration and senility associated with old age are based on preconceived notions rather than fact. She shows that, in spite of some physical limitations, the elderly, who are now in greater proportion in our society than ever before, can participate actively and constructively in their communities.This collection, published in honor of Provenzano, addresses age-related topics with an expertise that seems more relevant as time passes. It explores myths and stereotypes imposed upon the elderly, biological aspects of aging, psychological aspects of aging, and sociological aspects of agingRelying on scientific studies, Provenzano highlights how older people come to terms with specific conditions of aging. Quoting the adage "You are as old as you feel," she infers that aging does not necessarily mean defeat and decline, but can instead be a rewarding experience of personal fulfillment and social contribution.

This volume studies age as a basis for social organization by uniting research from the social science disciplines while implementing both cross-cultural and historical perspectives. The contributors, a distinguished interdisciplinary group of scholars, advance our understanding of age structuring by relating the changing societal level processes and individual aging experiences, and examining retirement practices, age and power in society, and cultural conceptions of age.

The status of older adults has become increasingly important in our aging society. Print and non-print media both reflect and shape society's attitude toward the aged. This bibliography documents the now extensive research on the depiction of older adults in print and non-print media. The volume includes more than 550 entries for books and articles. The entries are arranged in 21 topical chapters, and each citation is accompanied by a detailed annotation. The author and subject indexes that conclude the work enhance its value as a reference. The volume begins with an introduction that discusses the depiction of the aged in various media forms, and which considers issues such as ageism, stereotypes of the elderly, and the nature of communication. Bibliographic entries follow. The first set of chapters include entries for related bibliographies and on works that treat general topics about aging and communications. The next set of chapters contains entries on images of the older adult in different print media, including literature, newspapers, greeting cards, and magazines. A final set of chapters considers the depiction of older adults in non-print media, such as music, film, and television.

This volume presents a systematic examination of the impact of social structures on individual behaviors and on their development in adulthood and old age. These papers and responses attempt to improve the reciprocal relationship between changes in social macro- and micro-structures and the process of psychological development in relation to issues of human aging. Using and combining concepts and data from various fields, this research promotes a better understanding of the effects of demographic patterns and social structures on the psychological development of adults.

Here is the result of over ten years of hands-on clinical experience by two experts wha have worked with the elderly. The authors explore the contributions of the creative arts therapies, specifically movement and drama therapy, to the individual and communal welfare of residents in nursing homes. Waiting at the Gate: Creativity and Hope in the Nursing Home eloquently demonstrates how movement and drama therapy facilitate the preservation of life, of meaning, and of hope by seeking the beautiful and playful aspects of the self, and valuing humor, flexibility, and spontaneity in relationships with others. The authors show how these values challenge the "waiting to die" phenomenon of the custodial nursing home and offer lively alternatives to the resident in the new institution of the 1990s.

This book explores the diversity of methodological approaches to researching ageing, considering which methodological paradigm best captures the phenomenon. Interdisciplinary in scope, it brings together research from scholars from Austria, Canada, France, Hong Kong, Israel, Poland, UK and USA to uncover the conditions under which qualitative and quantitative approaches to research on ageing can best be reconciled and rendered complementary. Presenting international reflection on methods for studying old age from a variety of research backgrounds, Researching Ageing showcases the latest research in the field and will appeal to scholars across the social sciences, including sociology, demography, psychology, economics and geography, with interests in gerontology, ageing and later life.

Here is a major text in psychogeriatrics for all professionals in the field of aging and mental health. Leading authorities provide valuable insights into assessment and intervention techniques for use with the mentally impaired elderly. Topics include a depression scale for use in later life, family therapy, therapy in later life, and various issues concerning mental health care for the aged.

Here is the first detailed study of the economic, social, and administrative implications for the establishment of continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs). Leaders in the field of optional living arrangements for the elderly examine models of continuing care retirement communities throughout the United States. A wide range of sometimes conflicting views are vigorously discussed--by proponents of continuing care communities as well as by representatives from states that do not allow the existence of such institutions. Other intensely debated topics include existing and recommended financial and legal regulations of the industry; legal, financial, and ethical implications of continuing care communities; and a sociohistorical overview of the concept of continuing care.

Psychodynamic Approaches to the Experience of Dementia: Perspectives from Observation, Theory and Practice demonstrates the impact of healthcare approaches that take into account not only the practical needs but also the emotional experience of the patient, their partners, families and friends, lay carers and professional staff. Currently there is no cure for dementia, but the psychosocial and therapeutic approaches described in this volume have appeared to help people, both patients and carers, feel more contained and less lonely and isolated. Psychoanalytic theory provides a disciplined way of thinking about the internal world of an individual and their relationships. Each author provides their own commentary on the personal and interpersonal effects of dementia, endeavouring to understand behaviours and emotions which may otherwise seem incomprehensible. The subject is approached from a psychodynamic perspective, considering the unconscious, previous and current experiences and relationships, including those between patients and staff. Psychodynamic Approaches to the Experience of Dementia illustrates the practical and theoretical thinking of clinicians from a wide range of disciplines who are engaged in the care of people in late life with a diagnosis of dementia. It will be essential reading for mental health and health professionals in practice and training in the field of dementia.

The meaning and value of reminiscence in the lives of elders is beautifully explored.

A comprehensive and user-friendly reference for aging One of the most daunting aspects of growing older is the torrent of advice we face about maintaining our physical health and our mental acuity. Entire books have been written on how to manage finances, how to avoid falls, how to care for aging parents. Yet, too often, the advice offered is overwhelmingly complicated or diffuse and difficult to locate precisely when it is needed most. In this comprehensive reference, authorities in their respective fields discuss topics such as the normal processes of aging, how laws affect the elderly, what forms of exercise are most beneficial at various stages of life, family issues, and more. Informative charts and graphs supplement the concise, accessible chapters, which are followed by a comprehensive listing of major national and regional organizations serving the elderly. Ideal as an upbeat, forward-looking gift or as a personal resource, The Practical Guide to Aging is a user-friendly book for young and old, a helpful guide regardless of age or circumstance.

Offers encouragement and hope to older adults who are ready to date again, with advice and tips from relationship experts and the author's own experiences. Romance Redux looks at finding love as an older adult who seeks connection, love, and fulfillment in a romantic relationship. Including the author's own experiences as well as those of other gray love seekers and finders, she uncovers both the obstacles and rewards of repartnering at this stage of live. As divorce rates remain high and as more widows and widowers have many productive and healthy years ahead of them, finding love again can feel daunting, but now more than ever can be easier to find, to establish, and to keep. Using personal stories and expert research, Laura Stassi takes readers on a tour through the many ways older adults can find companionship, romance, and a fulfilling sex life through a variety of methods, outlets, and resources. Learning how to love again, how to form and deepen a relationship with a new person can be challenging, but it can also be rewarding, exciting, and successful, if you just know how to do it. And, finally, here's hope for how!

The second, expanded edition of this acclaimed memoir by an Alzheimer's caregiver living with his father during his final year includes a new introduction that illustrates the immense toll of the disease, important lessons from the author's experience, and a readers' guide. Joe Thorndike was managing editor of Life at the height of its popularity immediately following World War II. He was the founder of American Heritage and Horizon magazines, the author of three books, and the editor of a dozen more. But at age ninety-two, in the space of six months he stopped reading or writing or carrying on detailed conversations. He could no longer tell time or make a phone call. He was convinced that the governor of Massachusetts had come to visit and was in the refrigerator. Over six million Americans suffer from Alzheimer's, and like many of them, Joe Thorndike's one great desire was to remain in his own house. To honor his wish, his son John left his own home and moved into his father's upstairs bedroom on Cape Cod. For a year, in a house filled with file cabinets, photos, and letters, John explored his father's mind, his parents' divorce, and his mother's secrets. The Last of His Mind is the bittersweet account of a son's final year with his father and a candid portrait of an implacable disease. It's the ordeal of Alzheimer's that draws father and son close, closer than they have been since John was a boy. At the end, when Joe's heart stops beating, John's hand is on his chest, and a story of painful decline has become a portrait of deep family ties, caregiving, and love.

Loneliness in Later Life concerns the personal and social changes associated with aging, a topic that is becoming increasingly popular with both professionals and those in the Third Age themselves. The nature of loneliness is analyzed and clearly distinguished from solitary living, which need not be an unpleasant state. Through an examination of material drawn from literature and modern research, including the author's own experience, the book arrives at the happy conclusion that older people are not, in general, lonelier than when they were younger.

Millions of individuals retire each year, and retirement provides an opportunity for a fresh start. The possibilities are endless-even on a budget-for those prepared to open their minds and dream big. Russ and Emily Firlik, who had just retired from teaching, dared to rethink their more traditional retirement plans to embark on 9 months of slow travel in France and Italy, keeping a strict budget in mind and guided by their passion for the arts, history and architecture. This memoir details the author's personal travel experience and includes insights and instructions for the thrifty long-term traveler. It will inspire others to dream big and plan their own adventures, while helping them with the practical details of sticking to a budget and anticipating the unexpected.

Providers serving older adults face a growing problem. Older adults are becoming increasingly dissatisfied with service quality citing deficits in provider communication and relationship skills. The author argues this dissatisfaction is largely related to three widespread issues: ageism, use of professional jargon, and age-related changes in the older adult. To address these concerns, Dr. Storlie advocates adoption of an evidence-based, person-centered approach to communication. The benefits of person-centered communication are many. They can increase older adult satisfaction with provider services, enhance mutual respect and understanding, improve accuracy of information exchanged, positively impact service outcomes, increase compliance with provider recommendations, and reduce the frustration and stress often experienced by both provider and older adult. Rare to this genre, readers are introduced to several under-explored topics within the field of communication, along with methods for applying concepts from research findings into these topics to enhance the quality of interpersonal communication. Topics include the role of mental imagery in the communication process, the influence of neurocardiology on relationships, and controversial findings from research into quantum physics. The book concludes by highlighting progress made in narrowing the interpersonal communication gap and forecasts how communications-oriented technological advances might improve quality of life for 21st century older adults and the providers who serve them. Utilizing interdisciplinary case studies to illustrate common problematic situations, this book provides detailed exercises that explain how providers can integrate person-centered communication into their practices to improve provider-older adult interactions. Written in a style designed to maximize learning, it helps providers find the information they need, understand what they read, and apply what they've learned to improve professional communication. Person-Centered Communication with Older Adults is an essential guide for today's healthcare professionals and other aging-services providers, and also for the educators who help to prepare the providers of tomorrow.

This book suggests what to look for when choosing a facility, how to monitor the care offered, and the kinds of supervision and services that should be available. For residents and caregivers alike, the authors offer valuable suggestions and illustrate activities that contribute to total mental and physical well-being. The book includes valuable appendixes that feature important facts about retirement facilities and tips on how to evaluate a residential care facility. Families and professionals will find this book to be a valuable guide to one of the fastest-growing housing and health care options available to the aged.