Well-Being of Older People in Ageing Societies poses answers to the question of how we can measure and conceptualize the well-being of older people. It focuses on the future research agenda and policy reforms that will be necessary to maintain a decent well-being for older people, given the context of our ageing populations. This book draws on longitudinal datasets and empirical research on the multidimensional measures of older people's welfare, providing a comparative analysis of social assistance and pensions for older people in the UK and The Netherlands. This title will be essential reading to anyone with an interest in gerontology and the effect society, public policy and governance can have on the welfare of older people.

The nature of health in later life has conventionally been studied from two perspectives. Medical sociologists have focused on the failing body, chronic illness, infirmity and mortality, while social gerontologists on the other hand have focused on the epidemiology of old age and health and social policy. By examining these perspectives, Higgs and Jones show how both standpoints have a restricted sense of contemporary ageing which has prevented an understanding of the way in which health in later life has changed. In the book, the authors point out that the current debates on longevity and disability are being transformed by the emergence of a fitter and healthier older population. This third age - where fitness and participation are valorised - leads to the increasing salience of issues such as bodily control, age-denial and anti-ageing medicine. By discussing the key issue of old age versus ageing, the authors examine the prospect of a new sociology - a sociology of health in later life. Medical Sociology and Old Age is essential reading for all students and researchers of medical sociology and gerontology and for anyone concerned with the challenge of ageing populations in the twenty-first century. This book is essential reading for all students and researchers of medical sociology and gerontology.

Elder Abuse: Forensic, Legal and Medical Aspects focuses on the psychological, financial and physical abuse and neglect that is widespread in elder abuse across socioeconomic levels. It provides expert information on forensic and legal topics that professionals need to understand to confront these crimes. The topics included are those most important in the detection and prosecution of elder abuse. Identification and epidemiology are discussed, as are types and presentations of abuse. Written at a level for both professionals and students who wish to gain a broader understanding of specific forensic topics in elder maltreatment, this book is an ideal source.

Psychological, social, and spiritual care is as important as physical care at the end of life. Yet caregivers often feel ill-equipped to give that nonphysical care. This book shows how to do it. The book addresses all caregivers who attend dying patients: doctors, nurses, chaplains, clergy in the pastorate, social workers, clinical psychologists, family caregivers, and others. It covers such topics as the functional and emotional trajectories of dying; the varied approaches of patients and caregivers to end-of-life decisions; culturally based beliefs about dying; the differences between depression and grief; and people's views about the right time to die, the death experience itself, and the afterlife. For each topic the book introduces core concepts and summarizes recent research about them. The book presents much of its material in readable tables for easy reference; applies the material to real-life cases; lists the main "take home" points for each chapter; and gives references for additional reading. The book helps caregivers anticipate the reactions of patients and survivors to end-of-life traumas and suggests how caregivers can respond insightfully and compassionately. At the same time the book challenges caregivers to think through their own views about death and dying. This book, therefore, is a must-read for all caregivers professional and nonprofessional alike who strive to give their patients comprehensive, high-quality end-of-life care.

Winner, 2020 Eileen Basker Memorial Prize, given by the Society for Medical Anthropology The troubling dynamic of the American home care industry where increased independence for the elderly conflicts with the well being of caregivers Paid home care is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and millions of Americans rely on these workers to help them remain at home as they grow older. However, the industry is rife with contradictions. The United States spends a fortune on medical care, yet devotes comparatively few resources on improving wages, thus placing home care providers in the ranks of the working poor. As a result, the work that enables some older Americans to live independently generates profound social inequalities. Inequalities of Aging explores the ways in which these inequalities play out on the ground as workers, who are disproportionately women of color and immigrants, earn poverty-level wages and often struggle to provide for themselves and their families. The ethnographic narrative reveals how two of the nation's most pressing concerns-rising social inequality and caring for an aging population-intersect to transform the lives of older adults, home care workers, and the world around them. The book takes readers inside the homes and offices of people connected to two Chicago area home care agencies serving low-income and affluent older adults, respectively. Through intimate portrayals of daily life, Elana D. Buch illustrates how diverse histories, care practices, and social policies overlap and contribute to social inequality. Illuminating the lived experience of both workers and their clients, Inequalities of Aging shows the different ways in which the idea of independence both connects and shapes the lives of the elderly and the working poor.

This book is the first to explore 'old age' in cinema at the intersection of gender, ageing, celebrity and genre studies. It takes its cue from the dual meanings of 'silvering' - economics and ageing - and explores shifting formulations of 'old age' and gender in contemporary cinema. Broad in its scope, the book establishes the importance of silver audiences to the survival of cinema exhibition while also forging connections between the pleasures of 'old age' films, consumer culture, the 'economy of celebrity' and the gendered silvering of stardom. The chapters examine gendered genres such as romantic comedies, action and heist movies, the prosthetics of costume, and CGI enabled age transformations. Through this analysis, Josephine Dolan teases out the different meanings of ageing masculinity and femininity offered in contemporary cinema. She identifies ageing femininity as the pathologised target of rejuvenation while masculine ageing is seen to enhance an enduring youthfulness. This book has interdisciplinary appeal and will engage scholars interested in 'old age' and gender representations in contemporary cinema.

A selection of proceedings from the 2004 Association for Gerontology in Higher Education annual conference Aging Education in a Global Context is a carefully considered set of papers based on selected proceedings from the 2004 Association for Gerontology in Higher Education annual conference. Each forward-thinking presentation provides unique perspectives on teaching resources and education, presenting a wellspring of creative ideas for new and experienced teachers in gerontology and aging education. Respected educators present cutting-edge concepts and effective strategies in gerontology curriculum development and cross-cultural perspectives for advancing gerontology as a field of study. Over the next twenty years, the world's aging population will increase dramatically, requiring increased attention to global aging issues. To prepare gerontologists around the world for future challenges, Aging Education in a Global Context provides educators with fresh viewpoints and practical information on which to base the latest teaching strategies. Each presentation provides a multitude of valuable ideas perfect for incorporating into aging education curriculums, such as how to use films and literature for teaching about aging, how to enfold global perspectives into aging courses, and how to avoid cross-cultural misunderstandings when teaching gerontology in a host country. This invaluable resource is extensively referenced. Aging Education in a Global Context examines aging education, issues, and ageism topics such as: the consequences of globalization for older people a course design incorporating cross-cultural, anthropological approaches to understanding aging an approach to teach about death and dying through the cross-cultural viewpoint of various religious faiths a study of fourteen international films that provides gerontologists with models of successful aging to pass on in coursework teaching cross-cultural aging using Chilean literary portrayals of elders the evolution and present state of gerontology education in Japan gerontology research and cooperative education in Kenya educating about community-based long-term care in China Aging Education in a Global Context presents a wealth of new ideas for all gerontology educators and educators addressing cross-cultural aging issues within discipline-based courses in sociology, social work, anthropology, public policy, and psychology.

This book is a major reassessment of work in the field of critical gerontology, providing a comprehensive survey of issues by a team of contributors drawn from Europe and North America. The book focuses on the variety of ways in which age and ageing are socially constructed, and the extent to which growing old is being transformed through processes associated with globalisation. The collection offers a range of alternative views and visions about the nature of social ageing, making a major contribution to theory-building within the discipline of gerontology. The different sections of the book give an overview of the key issues and concerns underlying the development of critical gerontology. These include: first, the impact of globalisation and of multinational organizations and agencies on the lives of older people; second, the factors contributing to the "social construction" of later life; and third, issues associated with diversity and inequality in old age, arising through the effects of cumulative advantage and disadvantage over the life course. These different themes are analysed using a variety of theoretical perspectives drawn from sociology, social policy, political science, and social anthropology. "Aging, Globalization and Inequality" brings together key contributors to critical perspectives on aging and is unique in the range of themes and concerns covered in a single volume. The study moves forward an important area of debate in studies of aging, and thus provides the basis for a new type of critical gerontology relevant to the twenty-first century.

Aging, Work, and Retirement presents the reasons older men and women are staying in the workforce as long as they are able to do so-information of immediate value to undergraduate and graduate students across the fields of sociology, gerontology, industrial/organizational psychology, and business management as well as to corporate leaders, human resources managers, professional organizations and policy makers. The text reflects a growing interest in and concern regarding aspects of aging, ageism, labor market challenges, workplace issues, plus gender and racial/ethnic similarities and differences in employment history and extended worklife opportunities, as they affect older workers in this country and abroad. Each chapter has cases and profiles and other strong pedagogical features allowing students to integrate the content with real world examples.

Learn more about age discrimination and how it affects us allThe Encyclopedia of Ageism is a comprehensive review of over 125 aspects of ageism, alphabetically arranged for easy access. Written by 60 experts, the book examines topics such as anti-aging, stereotypes, and the media--with numerous references for further information. You'll find an alphabetical list of the entries, a detailed index, and a list of the entries categorized by subject, to help you find what you need fast. This resource will increase your awareness about the many facets of ageism and provide you with a wealth of concepts, theories, and facts about ageism. This important resource exposes the many faces of dehumanization through the elder neglect and prejudice that results from today's worldwide youth-oriented culture. The Encyclopedia of Ageism will help you recognize ageism when you encounter it and avoid it in your own thinking and actions. The book is a valuable guide for anyone working with older people and for older people themselves.With the Encyclopedia of Ageism, you will be able to identify personal, cultural, and institutional sources of ageism, such as: age denial age inequality/stratification sexuality scapegoating abuse the disengagement theory and so much more!This eye-opening reference shows how discrimination against elders can have consequences to the aged, the youth, the economy, and society as a whole. The Encyclopedia of Ageism promotes a future where the human rights of older persons are preserved and aging is considered a positive stage in the cycle of life. With this book, you will find strategies for reducing ageism, changing perceptions, and enhancing the quality of life for seniorcitizens and--someday--yourself.

This book provides a comprehensive exploration of the challenges women may face as they navigate the multiple roles that they carry. Attention is given to the unique cultural identities that women embody and suggestions are provided to help counselors acknowledge the various aspects of each client's intersectional identity. In addition to theory, we provide suggestions for practical application of relevant interventions and strategies for helping women achieve their goals. A foundation is provided that explore the multiple layers of development that occur during adolescence, adulthood, midlife, and older adulthood. Women face numerous challenges related to identity development and relationships. These challenges can generate psychological and emotional distress that lead women to seek professional assistance in finding solutions to their issues. With more choices than in generations past, women can face unexpected and unanticipated challenges and barriers to their individual and relational development. This book is organized around contemporary developmental and relational rites of passage women experience in adulthood. Traditional rites of passage include birth, menarche, marriage, and death. These events still hold significance but women's lives today follow expanded and complex trajectories. Numerous transitions, such as attending college, navigating employment opportunities and the relational challenges that women face in various areas of life, are presented and addressed in this book from a clinician's perspective providing practitioners with insight and practical knowledge. In this book, we cover choices related to such topics as career, relationships, parenthood, and support networks. We also explore the struggles that women face including abuse, depression, anxiety, feelings of low self-worth, loss, and addictions. Best practices in counseling women are highlighted and utilized in case study examples. The relationships created by women impact their lives and this book helps the reader to gain insight into how women can take ownership for their relationships and choices.

If you have responsibility for providing activities for older adults and you aren't sure whether what you are providing is effective, or you have exhausted all your own activity ideas then this book is for you. This clear and easy-to-use resource provides the tools you require to develop and implement a range of activities that meet the needs of your group. Structured around the ten areas of activity need - cognitive, creative, cultural, educational/employment, emotional, physical, self-esteem, sensory, social and spiritual - this book is a resource of activity ideas with hints, tips and suggestions for successful planning and delivery, and guidance on recording and evaluating activity programmes. It explores some of the adaptations required to meet the needs of younger clients, those with dementia, and those with communication difficulties. It is an ideal resource for anyone working with elderly people wanting to improve on an existing activity programme, or wishing to commence one.

This timely and critical book takes on a new phenomenon facing the United States and poses the stark question: Will the United States be prepared by 2050, when its older population doubles and we become a majority-minority society? In the authors' response, scholars, policy leaders and the public are provided with the background and information that connects these two trends to contemporary public policy debates. Written with clarity and expertise, this book illuminates the changes and challenges that face the nation by concisely addressing a wide range of topics, including immigration reform, the politics of aging, and health and retirement security, and provides a glimpse of how the "next America" might look. The authors draw on current data about longevity, diversity and the growing Hispanic population in particular, to unfold the social, cultural, policy and political implications for an aging and diversifying population. With case studies and real-world examples, the book outlines and analyzes the possible impact of this phenomenon on issues like governance, public benefits, the long term care work force and national security, and builds a broader framework with which to understand them. With combined experience in academia, government and policy advocacy, the authors tackle the dramatic changes occurring across the United States and offer a road map to not only understanding but addressing these challenges and opportunities with reason and responsibility. Key Features: Presents the most current statistics and data on demographics Written by an interdisciplinary team with combined experience in academia, government and policy advocacy Includes case studies and real-world examples to build a broader framework of understanding Addresses social, policy, cultural and political challenges facing a rapidly changing population and offers rational and respectful responses

There is no group of individuals more iconic of 1960s counterculture than the hippies - the long-haired, colorfully dressed youth who rebelled against mainstream societal values, preached and practiced love and peace, and generally sought more meaningful and authentic lives. These 'flower children' are now over sixty and comprise a significant part of the older population in the United States. While some hippies rejoined mainstream American society as they grew older, others still maintain the hippie ideology and lifestyle. This book is the first to explore the aging experience of older hippies by examining aspects related to identity, generativity, daily activities, spirituality, community, end-of-life care, and wellbeing. Based on 40 in-depth interviews with lifelong, returning, and past residents of The Farm, an intentional community in Tennessee that was founded in 1971 and still exists today, insights into the subculture of aging hippies and their keys to wellbeing are shared.

Human memory and cognitive aging have been the subject of intense scientific research during the last decades. Numerous advances have been made in explaining the cognitive processes and the neuropsychological mechanisms underlying human memory, and in outlining age-related changes in them. This new volume includes an up-to-date collection of chapters written by authoritative researchers in these fields. The chapters were originally presented in a conference held in May 1999 to mark the retirement of Fergus Craik from the University of Toronto. Craik's contributions in these two areas were at the center of the discussions held. These discussions were related to the history and current status of the influential levels of processing approach (Craik & Lockhart, 1972) as an explanatory framework of memory performance and to Craik's self-initiation/environmental support hypothesis of cognitive aging. Behavioral, as well as neuroimaging data, were brought to bear in evaluating these ideas as well as of others which are central to theories of both memory and cognitive aging.
The volume is divided into four parts, each preceded by introductory comments and followed by a discussion chapter. The first section deals with levels of processing and memory theory, the second addresses working memory and attention, the third deals with cognitive aging, and the last addresses neuroscience perspectives. With the breadth and depth of the topics discussed, the volume will be of interest to any student or researcher interested in human memory and cognitive aging.

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Make housing for the elderly comfortable, efficient, and appropriate to their special needs!Today people are living longer lives than ever before, and elderly people need to live in settings that reflect their individual capabilities. They need safe and appropriate homes, appliances, and furnishings that they will not lose the ability to use and enjoy in the years of decline. Housing Choices and Well-Being of Older Adults: Proper Fit addresses the challenge of matching the attributes of residential settings for older adults with the competence of the people who live in them. This book views housing for the elderly as a special case in terms of the person-environment paradigm. It highlights the recurring themes that give housing for the elderly a measure of order and predictability.Care providers, consultants for retirement communities, researchers in the fields of aging and environment or gerontology, university libraries, and members of housing associations for the elderly will benefit from the timely and vital information in this book. Easy-to-understand charts and tables make the information even more accessible.Housing Choices and Well-Being of Older Adults discusses: the state of theory development in environmental gerontology housing needs of the elderly quality issues in this type of setting design and development issues kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom applications for elderly people in various states of health home safety issues and much more! and the issues surrounding continued aging and its implications for: supportive environmental, health, and psychosocial services the economic and financial concerns of aging adults housing management and community issues Use what you'll find in Housing Choices and Well-being of Older Adults to ensure that the elderly people in your life are comfortable in an environment that is safe and appropriate.

This is an historical exploration of the US pensioner movements of the late 1920s through to the early 1950s, and the insights they offer policy analysts and researchers on how the forthcoming retirement of the Baby-Boom generation could proceed.

Death and aging are two topics not often discussed together in the present literature. This innovative and informative new text bridges the fields of gerontology and thanatology. Death attitudes--defined as attitudes towards the dying process, end-of-life decision making, and death itself--are explored.
Those contributing to this volume hail from several specialized backgrounds including gerontology, death, education, and general psychology. This mix of impressive contributors adds to the interdisciplinary perspective of the text. Readers, both professionals and students, will gain insight into these previously uncharted, but closely related, territories.

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This unique book sheds new light on the most invisible members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community. Hidden from view by a combination of prevailing cultural assumptions and their own unwillingness to be seen, older lesbians have been consistently under-represented in both popular culture and research. This ground-breaking study, based on an unprecedentedly large research sample of nearly four hundred lesbian-identified women between the ages of 60 and 90, offers a fascinating insight into the lives of older lesbians in the UK. Drawing on data from a comprehensive questionnaire survey and illustrated with vivid personal testimonies, it explores both the diversity and the distinct collective identity of the older lesbian community, arguing that understanding their past experience is crucial to providing for their needs in the future. It is essential reading for scholars in the fields of women's studies and genders and sexualities, and will also appeal to sociologists, political scientists, anthropologists, social and cultural historians, and experts in ageing, gerontology, nursing and social work.

Create programs that make good use of the leisure time of the elderly, and of those who care for them!Caregiving is a vital issue in today's rapidly aging society. Each year, a greater number of elderly people find themselves in need of care, and at the same time, more elderly adults than ever are finding themselves in the caregiving role. Caregiving--Leisure and Aging blends the work of six experts in the field, exploring implications for future practice and research, examining caregivers and care receivers and their need for appropriate leisure and recreation activities, and sharing innovative recreation programs to help caregivers and those in their care enrich the quality of their lives.Here you'll find: a review of literature which examines caregivers'health behaviors and discusses sleep improvement, home-based exercise, and several interventions the common factors found in successful leisure and activities programs for older adults and those who care for them in-depth case studies of three women who cared for their older husbands with dementia and the rationale behind their sacrifice of personal leisure time to provide this care a survey of rural and urban caregivers to individuals with Alzheimer's disease specific leisure education strategies that have been used successfully in caregiver support groups an examination of the innovative Family-based Structural Multisystem In-home Interventions (FSMII) with a Computer Telephone Integration System (CTIS) projectCaregiving--Leisure and Aging provides information and ideas regarding the importance of leisure both to those elderly people receiving care and also to the aging adults who selflessly deliver that care.

As our society ages and the importance of managing information and technology in daily life increases - even in homes and communities - the topic of cognitive aging is becoming increasingly important.
Cognitive Aging: A Primer is a comprehensive and accessible overview of how the cognitive system changes as a function of normal aging, as well as what areas of cognitive function are more resistant to age changes. Each chapter is written by a distinguished researcher with expert knowledge and considerable hands-on research expertise in his/her topic.
Cognitive Aging: A Primer reviews all core topics, and is divided into four sections. The first section provides an overview of basic issues and mechanisms, while the second discusses the important topics of attention and memory, and includes a chapter on the cognitive neuropsychology of the aging brain. A third section focuses on language and speech, while the final section discusses some of the implications of age- related changes in cognitive function for everyday life.
This volume is designed to fulfill a need for a review of this important topic accessible to advanced undergraduate and beginning graduate students, as well as to provide thoughtful, comprehensive, and highly readable overviews of various aspects of cognitive aging to individuals from all disciplines.

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'This timely report by HelpAge International sets out to establish some of the key social and political issues affecting older people's lives. It marks the first documentation of this information and I feel sure that it will be an important contribution to the growing debate' From the Foreword by Gro Harlem Brundtland, Director-General, World Health Organization The world's population is ageing. The majority of older people live in the developing world, where unprecedented growth in the number of older people has major implications for economies, health systems, housing, working patterns and family relationships. The Ageing and Development Report is the first extensive survey of the issues. Drawing on HelpAge International's long experience in over 60 countries, with contributions from world experts in the field, key themes such as community involvement, family life, health and well-being, poverty and exclusion, gender, migration and economic security are addressed. Case studies and statistics provide a comprehensive review of the condition of older people in the world's poorest countries. The Report argues for a fundamental shift in policy and opinion on ageing to reflect the real economic and social contributions of older people and enable them to retain their independence. It will be essential reading for development policy makers and practitioners in governmental and non-governmental agencies, demographers and gerontologists.

"Aging Public Policy: Bonding the Generations" is presented in three parts. Part One describes the policy process as a response to human needs through the laws of our country. Part Two explores the national policy development on behalf of older persons. Part Three describes the major public policies on behalf of the elderly that include Social Security, Medicare, The Older Americans Act, institutional care, employment and retirement policies. The final chapter discusses the advocacy process in the field of aging.