An in-depth and wide-ranging approach to the study of older adults in society Taking a holistic approach to the study of aging, this volume uses biological, archaeological, medical, and cultural perspectives to explore how older adults have functioned in societies around the globe and throughout human history. As the world's population over 65 years of age continues to increase, this wide-ranging approach fills a growing need for both academics and service professionals in gerontology, geriatrics, and related fields. Case studies from the United States, Tibet, Turkey, China, Nigeria, and Mexico provide examples of the ways age-related changes are influenced by environmental, genetic, sociocultural, and political-economic variables. Taken together, they help explain how the experience of aging varies across time and space. These contributions from noted anthropological scholars examine evolutionary and biological understandings of human aging, the roles of elders in various societies, issues of gender and ageism, and the role of chronic illness and "successful aging" among older adults. This volume highlights how an anthropology of aging can illustrate how older adults adapt to shifting life circumstances and environments, including changes to the ways in which individuals and families care for them. The research in Anthropological Perspectives on Aging can also help researchers, students, and practitioners reach across disciplines to address age discrimination and help improve health outcomes throughout the life course.

An in-depth and wide-ranging approach to the study of older adults in society Taking a holistic approach to the study of aging, this volume uses biological, archaeological, medical, and cultural perspectives to explore how older adults have functioned in societies around the globe and throughout human history. As the world's population over 65 years of age continues to increase, this wide-ranging approach fills a growing need for both academics and service professionals in gerontology, geriatrics, and related fields. Case studies from the United States, Tibet, Turkey, China, Nigeria, and Mexico provide examples of the ways age-related changes are influenced by environmental, genetic, sociocultural, and political-economic variables. Taken together, they help explain how the experience of aging varies across time and space. These contributions from noted anthropological scholars examine evolutionary and biological understandings of human aging, the roles of elders in various societies, issues of gender and ageism, and the role of chronic illness and "successful aging" among older adults. This volume highlights how an anthropology of aging can illustrate how older adults adapt to shifting life circumstances and environments, including changes to the ways in which individuals and families care for them. The research in Anthropological Perspectives on Aging can also help researchers, students, and practitioners reach across disciplines to address age discrimination and help improve health outcomes throughout the life course.

As old age is increasing globally, some challenges arise such as multimorbidity, a unique medical condition that has multiple potential complications and thus needs high-quality care directed by qualified healthcare providers. Multimorbidity is an important daily challenge to internists worldwide due to its many difficulties. Junior physicians dealing with multimorbidity must have the knowledge to practice high-quality care for their elderly patients. Cases on Multimorbidity and Its Impact on Elderly Patients considers approaches to manage multimorbidity and its unique complications and challenges to aid in appropriate daily decision making. Covering key topics such as weight loss, aging, and frailty, this reference work is ideal for medical professionals, nurses, policymakers, researchers, scholars, academicians, practitioners, instructors, and students.

The ultimate-and fun!-guide to maintaining vibrant sexual health with aging. In Never Too Late, Shannon Dowler, MD, a family physician who is also an expert on sexually transmitted diseases (STD), provides a refreshing overview of sexual education for people over 55. With the advent of dating apps, vibrant 55+ retirement communities, and sexual enhancement drugs, adults are sexually active well into their golden years. Unfortunately, the rates of STDs are dramatically increasing in older adults. In entertaining, accessible language, Dr. Dowler presents relatable patient stories and hilarious rhymes that make for an easy and fun way to learn about safe sex. This guide covers important topics, including: * How to identify the signs and symptoms of different STDs, including newer infections * The importance of regular screening * Best sexual practices, including guidance on medications * Preventative measures, tests, and treatments * Guidance on how to broach difficult conversations with romantic partners and doctors * Details about changing sexual trends, including dating apps, swinging, and normal aging changes that may impact your sexuality * Conditions commonly confused with sexually transmitted infections, such as urinary tract infections, tick-related infections, and forms of dermatitis * Common misconceptions, myths, and assumptions * Advice on seeking medical care when uninsured or financially limited Never Too Late will help you take charge of your sexual health and learn how to protect yourself and your current and future partners.

Mental and physical disorders are common in old age but frequently remain undetected and untreated. Managing treatment and controlling symptoms of these disorders is imperative to the longevity and quality of life of patients. The Handbook of Research on Geriatric Health, Treatment, and Care provides emerging research on promoting health in older adults by preventing and treating diseases and disabilities. By highlighting topics such as alternative treatment, clinical diagnosis, and positive psychology, this publication explores the methods and approaches of identifying and diagnosing epidemiological factors that contribute to geriatric health issues. This book is an important resource for healthcare professionals, academicians, medical practitioners, researchers, and students seeking current research on the methods and strategies for maintaining healthy and successful care for the elderly.

Social Theories of Aging: A Brief Synopsis introduces students to a broad spectrum of social theories on aging. Each theory is categorized as first, second, or third generation according to three theoretical levels: micro-level (individual aging theories), macro-level (societal aging theories), and micro-macro-level (emerging theories). The book provides students not only with a synopsis of key theories but with the agency to create their own knowledge and search for answers within the gerontology discipline. Over the course of six chapters, students explore a variety of generational theories. Each overview presents a theory's level, intellectual origins, and basic tenets. The theories span many fields and subfields of gerontology including social gerontology, sociology, anthropology, public administration, psychology, social work, and geriatrics. Activity Theory, Disengagement Theory, Modernization Theory, Continuity Theory, Exchange Theory, Age Stratification, Social Constructionist, and Transformative Learning Theory are just a few of the theories addressed in the text. Highly accessible and concise in nature, Social Theories of Aging is an ideal textbook for introductory gerontology courses. It can also be used in graduate level courses to remind students of the theoretical underpinnings of gerontology.

This book discusses the intersections between culture, context, and aging. It adopts a socio-cultural lens and highlights emotional, social, and psychological issues of the older adults in urban India. It is set in multiple sites such as Ahmedabad, Delhi, Kolkata, and Saskatoon to indicate how different cultural practices and contextual factors play an integral role in determining the course of aging. It also focuses on different narratives such as older adults living with adult children, older adults living with spouse, and older adults living alone to demonstrate the intricate process of growing old. Drawing from various sites and living arrangements of older adults, it sheds light on cultural constructions of growing old, ideas of belonging, the inevitability of death, everyday processes of aging, perceptions associated with growing old in India, acceptance of the aging body, and intergenerational ties in later lives. Given its scope, the book is essential reading for students and researchers in the fields of sociology, demography, and social scientists studying aging.

With over 3.5 million copies sold, the bestselling guide to understanding and caring for people with dementia is now completely revised and updated! For 40 years, The 36-Hour Day has been the leading work in the field for caregivers of those with dementia. Written by experts with decades of experience caring for individuals with memory loss, Alzheimer's, and other dementias, the book is widely known for its authoritativeness and compassionate approach to care. Featuring everything from the causes of dementia to managing its early stages to advice on caring for those in the later stages of the disease, it is widely considered to be the most detailed and trusted book available. Highlighting useful takeaway messages and informed by recent research into the causes of dementia, this new edition has been completely updated. It features * brand-new content on everything from home care aides to useful apps to promising preventative techniques and therapies * practical advice for avoiding caregiver burnout-plus tips for when and how to get additional help * a completely new two-column design that allows readers to quickly access what they need The central idea underlying this indispensable book-that much can be done to improve the lives of people with dementia and of those caring for them-remains the same. The 36-Hour Day is the definitive dementia care guide.

Through a uniquely multidisciplinary lens, Ethics and Vulnerable Elders: The Quest for Individuals Rights and a Just Society employs a highly principled approach to ethics and addresses current issues affecting vulnerable older adults. The book illuminates the current and future challenges facing older adult populations and provides effective frameworks for their resolution. The text features 19 chapters written by experts, which are then divided into four sections. The opening chapter introduces the framework for the book and addresses key concepts in ethics. Each of the four sections that follow addresses a particular category of vulnerability, namely compromised health, effective status, care arrangement, and abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Specific topics include cognitive impairment, physical disability, gender, sexual orientation, residential long-term care, self-neglect, correctional settings, victimization, and more. Each chapter includes a summary; case study; discussion of applicable principles of ethics, including autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice; resources for follow-up; and questions for further consideration. Ethics and Vulnerable Elders is an ideal resource for law school and graduate school programs with focus on gerontology, disability, social work, public health, elder and family law, and health care management.

The transitional phase from pre-older adult to older adult affects the wellbeing of the concerned person economically, physically, and psychologically. This book is a description of the aging transition and discusses various psychological, health, and social challenges faced by older adults globally. It also offers a comparative study on the lifestyles of older adults in India and the United States. Although there is no consensus yet on an all-encompassing theory of aging, this book centers on various theories related to aging processes in an effort to advance discussion on different aspects of aging. Various theoretical formulations, such as person-centered, Hinduism, biopsychosocial, and positive psychology, guided the author to address the topics covered in this volume. Aging and Physicians Aging and Retirement Aging, Caregiving, and COVID-19 Aging and Diversity Aging and Longevity Aging, Disease Prevention, and Technology Aging and Spirituality Through the chapters, the author builds an understanding of the fundamental relation of aging with various health and socioeconomic factors, and also emphasizes a person-centered, holistic approach that values personal autonomy, choice, comfort, dignity, and purposeful living to support aging well. Rethinking the Aging Transition: Psychological, Health, and Social Principles to Guide Aging Well has academic value from a multicultural perspective that would be of benefit to graduate and undergraduate students in gerontology and other disciplines that study aging and older adult populations. With the main aim of raising awareness, this book is an important resource for a diverse group of populations globally, including clinical and non-clinical caregivers, other health(care) professionals, and policy-makers.

This book provides concrete scientific basis that we can conceive the possibility of modifying or even completely canceling aging process, despite the fact that aging is commonly regarded as the result of the overall effects of many uncontrollable degenerative phenomena. The authors illustrate in detail the mechanisms by which cells and the whole organism age. Actions by which it is possible, or will be possible within a limited time, to operate for modifying aging are also debated. The discussion is conducted within the frame and the concepts of evolutionary medicine, which is also indispensable for distinguishing between the manifestations of aging and: (i) diseases that worsen with age, and (ii) acceleration of normal aging rates, caused by unhealthy lifestyle habits and other avoidable factors. The book also discusses the impact of aging on overall mortality and the strange situation that, according to official statistics, aging does not exist as cause of death. This book is a turning point between a gerontology and geriatrics conceived as the study and vain treatment of an incurable condition and one in which these disciplines examine the how and why of a physiological phenomenon that can be modified up to a possible total control. This means transforming the medical prevention and treatment of physiological aging from the greatest failure to the greatest success of medicine.

A leading expert answers your questions about how to live to your fullest with COPD. Significant lung damage from smoking, exposure in some jobs, or even diseases such as AIDS and tuberculosis can lead to COPD. Having chronic obstructive pulmonary disease can leave you feeling short of breath, sometimes reluctant to go shopping or for a walk because you are afraid of more difficulties. You may have wheezing, tightness in the chest, or frequent coughing. Although you see a doctor for your COPD, you often have questions and need answers. In this concise and practical guide, leading medical expert Donald A. Mahler answers some of the most pressing questions that he has been asked over 30 years of seeing patients with COPD, including * Why am I short of breath? * What medications can treat my COPD? * Can surgery improve COPD? * What are flare-ups-and how can I prevent them? * How can I stop smoking? * What should I do if my breathing isn't getting better? * Can exercise help? If so, which exercises are the most beneficial? * What's the best way to prevent lung infections? * How does COVID-19 affect COPD? * How can I travel with oxygen? * Can I be sexually active with COPD? and much more. Each chapter includes a patient vignette and key points. Tables and boxes offering helpful tips are included throughout. Providing up-to-date, evidence-based content that covers more than just medications, COPD gives you the tools you need to keep active-and thrive.