Ageing or aging is the accumulation of changes in an organism or object over time. Ageing in humans refers to a multidimensional process of physical, psychological, and social change. Some dimensions of ageing grow and expand over time, while others decline. Reaction time, for example, may slow with age, while knowledge of world events and wisdom may expand. Research shows that even late in life potential exists for physical, mental, and social growth and development. Ageing is an important part of all human societies reflecting the biological changes that occur, but also reflecting cultural and societal conventions. This book examines several important issues in the field.

Book & CD. One of the most striking demographic changes over the last century in Western countries has been the rapid growth, both absolute and relative, of the oldest-old population, to such an extent that living beyond the age of 80 years constitutes a new stage of life. But what is life like after 80? Rather than scrutinizing the pathologies of very old age, this book enquires into the normal aging of the oldest old, their health trajectories, their socio-demographic inequalities; it analyses their daily life, including their social relationships, social support, and activities, and observes how the oldest old adapt to the multiple stresses and challenges of very old age. The book reports major results obtained from Swilsoo, a long-term longitudinal study based on two cohorts of octogenarians. The two cohorts were assessed on an approximately yearly basis, the first for 9 waves from 1994 to 2004, with 340 participants at inception, and the second for 5 waves from 19v9 to 2004, initially with 377 participants. The book demonstrates that many common stereotypes concerning the oldest old are false. For examples, their main shared characteristic is not sickness, but frailty, which affects them in different ways. A long life does not necessarily culminate in dependence. Dependence is a risk -- especially among persons of lower socio-economic status -- but not an ineluctable outcome. It also helps to bring out the importance of social and psychological resources in the lives of the oldest old. Although multiple stresses such as negative health-related changes or self-reported bereavements of a loved one often occur in the life of the elderly and affect their health and well-being, the very old can take advantage of various resources or adjustment mechanisms to help preserve their well-being and robustness. The book shows for instance that the preservation by the elderly of a positive and active role within the family is a boon to their health and that the continuation of leisure activities or the effective use of psychological resources counters the negative effects of frailty on well-being.

This book presents research on cell growth and the ageing process. Emphasis is given to implications for cancer therapy, abnormal mitosis and aberrant nuclear morphology, neoplastic transformations, negative charges on various malignant cell types.

This book presents a comprehensive review of the morphology and function of chromosomes in elderly people. The wide range of topics includes cyclical chromosome properties, mutations, repair, progressive chromosome heterochromatinisation with increasing age, roles of nucleolar organiser regions, sister chromatid exchanges, homologue relationships, heterochromatin regions and other chromosomal features in very old age. This ground-breaking book focuses on heterochromatinisation as a key determinant of the genetic apparatus function during senescence and an area to seek life-prolonging interventions. The book illustrates and updates progress in the field of cytogenetics of ageing.

In Male Mid-Life Crisis, Justin K. Lim investigates this phase of human life through the perspectives of analytical psychology and through existential theology. Research suggests 80 percent of men suffer from this crisis, and that it is not limited to any culture or period of history. He applies his findings to pastoral/spiritual interventions, seeking deeper and broader psychological and theological insights.

Providing a comprehensive overview of issues of ageing from a global perspective this ambitious text introduces the reader to a wide range of issues and policies on ageing. Topics examined include: theoretical perspectives on ageing in society; demographic trends; roles played by older people as political actors; migration; health; pensions; family and institutional care; and elder abuse.

This will be an essential text for students of social gerontology, as well as an invaluable resource for students of nursing, social work, social policy and development studies.

Recent research findings on the impact of nutrition on telomere length is unlocking the potential to combat premature aging at the cellular level. We have learned that while aging is a natural cellular process, premature aging is not and it can be positively impacted by an Evidence-Based Proactive Nutrition to Slow Cellular Aging diet plan. This book examines key elements of the biology of cell aging and focuses on enhancing mitochondrial function and preventing abnormal cell turnover thus preserving telomere length. It details the cellular damage caused by free radicals and ROS, explains the salutary effects of antioxidants, and the body's need for adequate nitrates and other nutrient substrates from which the body derives nitric oxide (NO) to support cardiovascular health. This book is the first to feature a simple do-it-yourself test of the effects of the diet on the availability of NO for - heart health. The book guides the reader through the rationale for a modified Mediterranean style diet that supplies the body with an adequate daily intake of essential nutrients, simple high antioxidants, and other functional foods. It includes simple, easy to prepare appealing recipes promoting a seamless transition to a healthy, age-defying lifestyle.

When confronted with a neurological or psychiatric disorder in an elderly individual, a clinician or researcher is likely to ask how the processes of ageing have influenced the aetiology and presentation of the disorder, and will impact on its efficient management. There are many urban myths about ageing, and some of these apply to the brain. The reviews included in this book are an attempt to flush out some of these myths, and arm the clinician and general researcher with the empirical facts that can be mustered to substantiate claims about ageing. There are many salient questions: is cognitive change to be expected in an elderly individual? Is this change progressive, relentless and unselective, or is it focal and constrained? Would every person who lived long enough develop Alzheimer s disease? Do our neurones die as we get old? What happens to the size of the brain and its metabolic activity? How do our hormones change with age? Can anti-oxidants slow or even stop the process of ageing? Are genes important in the ageing brain or is it all in the environment? How much of what we are is due to what we eat? The contributors to this book, each an expert in their field, have addressed some of these questions in a language simple enough for a general reader to understand.

The book also deals with some of the most prominent brain disorders of old age - Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, vascular dementia, and depression. The focus is on the impact of ageing on these disorders. The discussions lay out a broad map for the clinician dealing with neuropsychiatric disorders, and the future researcher of brain ageing. In a field in which the developments are too numerous for any one individual to keep pace with, this book presents up-to-date summaries that can be a useful starting point. The field of brain ageing abounds in tabloid science. This book counters this by providing a strong empirical grounding and considered synthesis of the research."