Issues in Aging
Published on 12. January 2006
Book
Paperback/Softback
528 pages
978-0-205-43918-8 (ISBN)
Description
Issues in Aging takes an optimistic view of aging and human potential in later life; it presents the most up-to-date facts on aging today, the issues raised by these facts, and the societal and individual responses that will create a successful old age for us all.
Whether you are older yourself, have older parents, relatives and friends, or plan to work with older people, the information in this text will help you understand aging today.
Organization
This book first looks at large-scale social issues - social attitudes, the study of aging, and demographic issues. It then shows how these conditions affect individuals and social institutions. The book concludes with a look at political responses to aging and how individuals can create a better old age for themselves and the people they know.
Whether you are older yourself, have older parents, relatives and friends, or plan to work with older people, the information in this text will help you understand aging today.
Organization
This book first looks at large-scale social issues - social attitudes, the study of aging, and demographic issues. It then shows how these conditions affect individuals and social institutions. The book concludes with a look at political responses to aging and how individuals can create a better old age for themselves and the people they know.
Reviews / Votes
"This textbook is overflowing with great material - looking through it has reminded me how much 'race/ethnicity' structures so many issues in the US."Lori Campbell, McMaster University
"The author has created a wealth of great slides, and what a wonderful resource for instructors!"
Lori Campbell, McMaster University
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
United States
Publishing group
Taylor & Francis Inc
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 235 mm
Width: 191 mm
Weight
880 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-205-43918-8 (9780205439188)
Copyright in bibliographic data is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or its licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
New editions
Mark Novak
Issues in Aging
Book
11/2008
2nd Edition
Routledge
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Person
Dr. Mark Novak is Associate Vice-President for International Studies and Dean of Extended Studies at San Jose State University (SJSU); a position he has held since 1996. Also, Dr. Novak has supervised university international and professional development programs for the past 15 years both in Canada and the United States.
Dr. Novak received his Bachelor's degree in Sociology from Rutgers University in New Jersey and his Ph.D. degree in Sociology from York University in Toronto. He specializes in the study of adult development, adult education, and aging.
Dr. Novak has written many articles for professional journals here and abroad. Alsom he has written several books including a general interest study entitled, Successful Aging, Aging and Society: A Canadian Perspective, 5th ed, the best-selling gerontology text in Canada,and Aging and Society: A Reader.
Dr. Novak received his Bachelor's degree in Sociology from Rutgers University in New Jersey and his Ph.D. degree in Sociology from York University in Toronto. He specializes in the study of adult development, adult education, and aging.
Dr. Novak has written many articles for professional journals here and abroad. Alsom he has written several books including a general interest study entitled, Successful Aging, Aging and Society: A Canadian Perspective, 5th ed, the best-selling gerontology text in Canada,and Aging and Society: A Reader.
Content
* All chapters conclude with "Summary", "Discussion Questions", "Suggested Reading", and Glossary of Terms" sections.
Preface.
1. Aging Today.
Introduction.
Why Study Aging?
Ageism.
Sources of Ageism.
The Media as a Source of Ageism.
Lack of Knowledge as a Source of Ageism.
Some Facts on Aging Today.
Victimization by Fraud.
Effects of Victimization.
Fear of Crime.
Responses to Ageism.
The Media.
The Senior Market: A New Image of Aging.
The Ageless Self: Another Form of Ageism.
Education Programs.
Intergenerational Programs.
Legislation and Social Action.
Aging Today.
Conclusion.
2. Theories and Methods.
Introduction.
The Study of Aging: Past and Present.
Early Developments in Research.
Gerontology Research Today.
Is Gerontology a Discipline?
Theories of Aging.
Two Levels of Theories.
Three Theoretical Perspectives.
Interactionist Perspective.
Critique of the Interactionist Perspective.
Functionalist Perspective.
Age Stratification Theory: An Example of the Functionalist Perspective.
Critique of the Functionalist Perspective.
Conflict Perspective.
Critique of the Conflict Perspective.
Research Issues and Methods.
Experimental Designs.
Cross-sectional Designs.
Longitudinal Designs.
Quantitative and Qualitative Methods.
The Humanities.
Ethical Issues in Research.
Research Applications.
Funding Gerontology Research.
The Future of Gerontological Theory and Methods.
Conclusion.
3. Aging at Other Times, in Other Places.
Introduction.
Four Types of Societies.
Hunting and Gathering.
Agricultural Society.
Agricultural America in the Past.
Inequality in Old Age in Early American.
Society.
Modern Industrial Society.
Industrialization.
Urbanization.
The Demographic Transition.
Modernization Theory.
Postindustrial Society: The United States Today.
The Challenge of Population Aging.
The Developed Nations.
The Developing Nations.
The Future of Aging in Developing Nations.
Conclusion.
4. Demography.
Introduction.
The Demographics of Population Aging.
Increased Numbers of Older People.
Increased Median Age of the Population.
Increased Proportion of Older People.
Measuring Trends.
The Causes of Population Change.
Migration.
Death Rates.
Birth Rates.
The Challenges of an Aging Population.
The Aging of the Older Population.
Ethnic and Racial Variations.
Regional Distribution.
Interstate Migration.
Amenity Migration.
Urban-Rural Distribution.
Changes in the Sex Ratio.
The Impact of Population Aging.
Dependency Ratios.
Critique of Dependency Ratios.
Conclusion.
5. Personal Health and Well-Being.
Introduction.
Biological Aging.
Theories of Biological Aging.
Programmed Theories.
Programmed Senescence.
Endocrine and Immunological Theory.
Error Theories.
Somatic Mutation Theory.
Crosslinking Theory.
Free Radicals Theory.
Other Theories.
The Effects of Aging on Body Systems.
Musculoskeletal System.
The Endocrine System.
Sensory Changes.
Taste, Smell, and Touch.
Sight.
Hearing.
Personal Health and Illness.
Changes in Health Status.
Limits on Activity Due to Physical Decline.
Coping with Physical Change.
Improvements in Technology.
Improvements in the Environment.
Improvements in Self-Care.
Changes in Life-Style.
Decreased Smoking.
Better Nutrition.
Exercise.
Compression of Morbidity Hypothesis.
Successful Aging.
Conclusion.
6. Life Span Development.
Introduction.
Memory and Intelligence.
Memory.
Memory and Everyday Life.
Intelligence.
Longitudinal and Cross-Sectional Methods.
New Models of Mental Ability in Later Life.
Personality Development and the Self.
Self-Development in Later Life.
Spirituality: The Search for Meaning in Later Life.
Social Psychological Change.
Disengagement Theory.
Activity Theory.
Continuity Theory.
The Life Course Perspective.
The Structure of the Life Course.
Life Events.
Non-normative Life Events.
Normative, History-Graded Life Events.
Normative, Age-Graded Life Events.
Psychological Disorders: Abnormal Aging.
Organic Disorders: Cognitive Impairment in Later Life.
Functional Disorders.
Loneliness.
Alcohol Abuse.
Depression and Suicide.
Social Breakdown and Reconstruction.
Conclusion.
7. Race and Ethnicity.
Introduction.
Who Are the Minority Elderly?
Why Study Minority Aging?
Demographic Characteristics of Dominant and Minority Group Elders.
Non-Latino Whites: The Dominant Group.
The Minority Older Population.
Diversity of the Minority Population.
The Aging of the Minority Population.
Three Theories on Minority Group Aging.
Multiple Jeopardy.
Critique of Multiple Jeopardy Theory.
Leveling.
The Life Course Perspective.
Institutional Completeness: An Example of Life Course Differences.
Structured Inequality and Personal History.
The Impact of Minority Group Membership on Aging.
A Look at Four Minority Groups.
African Americans.
Latino Americans.
Asian Americans.
Native Americans.
Responses to Minority Group Aging.
Conclusion.
8. The Health Care System.
Introduction.
Three Models of Health Care.
The Medical Model.
The Social Model.
The Health Promotion Model.
The U.S. Health Care System.
Medicare.
Medicaid.
Medigap and Long-term Care Insurance.
The Cost of Care.
Cost of Care and the Older Population.
Medicare Costs.
Medicaid Costs.
The Rising Personal Cost of Health Care.
Public Dissatisfaction.
Structural Flaws.
Long-term Care: A Response to Older People's Needs.
Institutional Care.
Community-Based Services.
Managed Care: Alternative Delivery Methods.
Managed Care with a Medical Focus.
Managed Care with a Community Focus.
Disease Prevention and Health Promotion.
Future Issues in Health Care.
Availability.
Accessibility.
Coordination.
Conclusion.
9. Finances and Economics.
Introduction.
Historical Development of the U.S. Pension
System.
The U.S. Retirement Income System Today.
Level One: Social Security.
Who Gets Social Security?
Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
Level Two: Employment Pensions.
Level Three: Personal Assets and Other Income.
The Impact of the Retirement Income System on Older Peoples' Incomes.
Inequality in Later Life.
Age Differences and Income.
Gender and Income.
Marital Status and Income.
Minority Status and Income.
Pension Reform.
Social Security Reform.
Family Care.
Spousal Pensions.
Widows' Benefits.
Income Standards.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Reform.
Improved Benefits.
State Supplements.
Higher Enrollment Rates.
Private Pension Reform.
Vesting.
Portability and Indexing.
Better Plan Insurance.
The Future.
Conclusion.
10. Retirement and Work.
Introduction.
The Social Origins of Retirement.
Retirement in the United States Today.
Men and Retirement.
Women and Retirement.
Minorities and Retirement.
Alternatives to Retirement.
Early Retirement.
Partial Retirement.
Second Careers.
Personal Responses to Retirement.
Phase 1: Preretirement.
Phase II: The Honeymoon.
Phase III: The Retirement Routine.
Phase IV: Disenchantment.
Phase V: Termination.
Preretirement Education.
Social Structures and Retirement.
The Dual Economy.
Displaced Workers.
The Future of Retirement.
Conclusion.
11. Housing and Transportation.
Introduction.
Living Arrangements.
An Ecological Model of Housing.
Housing Options.
Single-Family Homes.
Home Modification.
Home Equity Conversion Loans (Reverse Mortgages).
Apartment Living.
Age-Segregation vs. Age-Integration.
Normal Design vs. Special Design.
Congregate Housing and Assisted Living.
Subsidized Housing.
Single Room Occupancy (SRO).
Supportive Housing.
Board and Care Homes.
Nursing Homes.
Elder Cottages and Accessory Apartments.
Homesharing.
Retirement Communities.
Continuing Care Retirement Communities.
The Future of Housing.
Integration of Housing and Services.
Low-Income, Rural, and Minority Housing.
Transportation.
Public Transportation.
Private Transportation.
Conclusion.
12. Leisure, Recreation, and Education.
Introduction.
Leisure.
Age and Leisure.
Gender and Leisure.
Race and Leisure.
Leisure Education.
New Activities in Old Age.
Outdoor Recreation.
Fitness, Health, and Well-Being.
Challenges to Fitness in Later Life.
Programs that Overcome Barriers to Active Living.
Masters Athletes and the Senior Olympics.
Senior Centers.
Education.
Elderhostel.
Lifelong Learning Institutes (LLIs).
The Future of Education for Older People.
Community Service and Volunteer Work.
Conclusion.
13. Family Life and Social Relations.
Introduction.
Part One: Family Life, Marriage, and Widowhood.
Marriage Demographics.
Marital Status.
The Advantages and Disadvantages of Marriage.
Divorce.
Lifelong Singlehood.
Widowhood.
Bereavement.
Widows and Widowers: Coping with Loss.
Dating and Remarriage.
Sexuality.
Physical Changes and Sexual
Adaptations.
Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Older People.
Part Two: Social Support.
Family Life and Family Supports.
Informal Supports for Older People.
Four Models of Informal Support.
Spousal Support.
Children and Other Relatives.
Supports for Childless Older People.
Friends and Neighbors.
Siblings as a Source of Informal Support.
Minority Differences in Social Support.
Male and Female Caregivers.
Caregiver Burden.
The Rewards of Caregiving.
Care for the Caregiver.
The Future of Informal Support.
Eldercare and the Workplace.
Older People as Family Supporters.
Grandparenting.
Grandparenting and New Family Structures.
Grandparent Visitation Rights.
Grandparents as Surrogate Parents.
Elder Abuse.
Theories of Abuse.
Responses to Abuse.
Elder Abuse Policies.
Future Issues in Elder Abuse.
Conclusion.
14. Death and Dying.
Introduction.
Death and Society.
Death in Old Age.
Institutional Death.
Changes in the Treatment of the Dying.
Stages of Death and Dying.
The Hospice Movement.
Hospice Program Goals.
Palliative Care.
Palliative Care for the Elderly.
Ethical Issues.
Advance Directives.
Euthanasia and Physician-Assisted Suicide.
Mourning and Grief.
Conclusion.
15. Politics and Policies.
Introduction.
Voting.
Participation Trends among Older Voters.
Will Older People Form a Voting Bloc?
Holding Political Office.
Advocacy.
The AARP (American Association of Retired Persons).
The Limits of Advocacy.
The Medicare Catastrophic Coverage Act (MCCA).
Activism.
Government and Aging Policy.
The Older Americans Act (OAA).
Generational Equity.
The Future of Aging, Politics, and Policy.
Conclusion.
Summary.
Discussion Questions.
Suggested Reading.
Glossary of Terms.
Gerontology Careers and You.
Introduction.
Challenges for American Society.
Age Irrelevance.
Diversity.
Generational Interdependence.
Gerontology Education.
Types of Gerontology Programs.
University and College Programs.
In-service Programs.
Work and Careers in Gerontology.
Finding Work in the Field of Aging.
Gerontology and You.
Works Consulted.
Index.
Preface.
1. Aging Today.
Introduction.
Why Study Aging?
Ageism.
Sources of Ageism.
The Media as a Source of Ageism.
Lack of Knowledge as a Source of Ageism.
Some Facts on Aging Today.
Victimization by Fraud.
Effects of Victimization.
Fear of Crime.
Responses to Ageism.
The Media.
The Senior Market: A New Image of Aging.
The Ageless Self: Another Form of Ageism.
Education Programs.
Intergenerational Programs.
Legislation and Social Action.
Aging Today.
Conclusion.
2. Theories and Methods.
Introduction.
The Study of Aging: Past and Present.
Early Developments in Research.
Gerontology Research Today.
Is Gerontology a Discipline?
Theories of Aging.
Two Levels of Theories.
Three Theoretical Perspectives.
Interactionist Perspective.
Critique of the Interactionist Perspective.
Functionalist Perspective.
Age Stratification Theory: An Example of the Functionalist Perspective.
Critique of the Functionalist Perspective.
Conflict Perspective.
Critique of the Conflict Perspective.
Research Issues and Methods.
Experimental Designs.
Cross-sectional Designs.
Longitudinal Designs.
Quantitative and Qualitative Methods.
The Humanities.
Ethical Issues in Research.
Research Applications.
Funding Gerontology Research.
The Future of Gerontological Theory and Methods.
Conclusion.
3. Aging at Other Times, in Other Places.
Introduction.
Four Types of Societies.
Hunting and Gathering.
Agricultural Society.
Agricultural America in the Past.
Inequality in Old Age in Early American.
Society.
Modern Industrial Society.
Industrialization.
Urbanization.
The Demographic Transition.
Modernization Theory.
Postindustrial Society: The United States Today.
The Challenge of Population Aging.
The Developed Nations.
The Developing Nations.
The Future of Aging in Developing Nations.
Conclusion.
4. Demography.
Introduction.
The Demographics of Population Aging.
Increased Numbers of Older People.
Increased Median Age of the Population.
Increased Proportion of Older People.
Measuring Trends.
The Causes of Population Change.
Migration.
Death Rates.
Birth Rates.
The Challenges of an Aging Population.
The Aging of the Older Population.
Ethnic and Racial Variations.
Regional Distribution.
Interstate Migration.
Amenity Migration.
Urban-Rural Distribution.
Changes in the Sex Ratio.
The Impact of Population Aging.
Dependency Ratios.
Critique of Dependency Ratios.
Conclusion.
5. Personal Health and Well-Being.
Introduction.
Biological Aging.
Theories of Biological Aging.
Programmed Theories.
Programmed Senescence.
Endocrine and Immunological Theory.
Error Theories.
Somatic Mutation Theory.
Crosslinking Theory.
Free Radicals Theory.
Other Theories.
The Effects of Aging on Body Systems.
Musculoskeletal System.
The Endocrine System.
Sensory Changes.
Taste, Smell, and Touch.
Sight.
Hearing.
Personal Health and Illness.
Changes in Health Status.
Limits on Activity Due to Physical Decline.
Coping with Physical Change.
Improvements in Technology.
Improvements in the Environment.
Improvements in Self-Care.
Changes in Life-Style.
Decreased Smoking.
Better Nutrition.
Exercise.
Compression of Morbidity Hypothesis.
Successful Aging.
Conclusion.
6. Life Span Development.
Introduction.
Memory and Intelligence.
Memory.
Memory and Everyday Life.
Intelligence.
Longitudinal and Cross-Sectional Methods.
New Models of Mental Ability in Later Life.
Personality Development and the Self.
Self-Development in Later Life.
Spirituality: The Search for Meaning in Later Life.
Social Psychological Change.
Disengagement Theory.
Activity Theory.
Continuity Theory.
The Life Course Perspective.
The Structure of the Life Course.
Life Events.
Non-normative Life Events.
Normative, History-Graded Life Events.
Normative, Age-Graded Life Events.
Psychological Disorders: Abnormal Aging.
Organic Disorders: Cognitive Impairment in Later Life.
Functional Disorders.
Loneliness.
Alcohol Abuse.
Depression and Suicide.
Social Breakdown and Reconstruction.
Conclusion.
7. Race and Ethnicity.
Introduction.
Who Are the Minority Elderly?
Why Study Minority Aging?
Demographic Characteristics of Dominant and Minority Group Elders.
Non-Latino Whites: The Dominant Group.
The Minority Older Population.
Diversity of the Minority Population.
The Aging of the Minority Population.
Three Theories on Minority Group Aging.
Multiple Jeopardy.
Critique of Multiple Jeopardy Theory.
Leveling.
The Life Course Perspective.
Institutional Completeness: An Example of Life Course Differences.
Structured Inequality and Personal History.
The Impact of Minority Group Membership on Aging.
A Look at Four Minority Groups.
African Americans.
Latino Americans.
Asian Americans.
Native Americans.
Responses to Minority Group Aging.
Conclusion.
8. The Health Care System.
Introduction.
Three Models of Health Care.
The Medical Model.
The Social Model.
The Health Promotion Model.
The U.S. Health Care System.
Medicare.
Medicaid.
Medigap and Long-term Care Insurance.
The Cost of Care.
Cost of Care and the Older Population.
Medicare Costs.
Medicaid Costs.
The Rising Personal Cost of Health Care.
Public Dissatisfaction.
Structural Flaws.
Long-term Care: A Response to Older People's Needs.
Institutional Care.
Community-Based Services.
Managed Care: Alternative Delivery Methods.
Managed Care with a Medical Focus.
Managed Care with a Community Focus.
Disease Prevention and Health Promotion.
Future Issues in Health Care.
Availability.
Accessibility.
Coordination.
Conclusion.
9. Finances and Economics.
Introduction.
Historical Development of the U.S. Pension
System.
The U.S. Retirement Income System Today.
Level One: Social Security.
Who Gets Social Security?
Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
Level Two: Employment Pensions.
Level Three: Personal Assets and Other Income.
The Impact of the Retirement Income System on Older Peoples' Incomes.
Inequality in Later Life.
Age Differences and Income.
Gender and Income.
Marital Status and Income.
Minority Status and Income.
Pension Reform.
Social Security Reform.
Family Care.
Spousal Pensions.
Widows' Benefits.
Income Standards.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Reform.
Improved Benefits.
State Supplements.
Higher Enrollment Rates.
Private Pension Reform.
Vesting.
Portability and Indexing.
Better Plan Insurance.
The Future.
Conclusion.
10. Retirement and Work.
Introduction.
The Social Origins of Retirement.
Retirement in the United States Today.
Men and Retirement.
Women and Retirement.
Minorities and Retirement.
Alternatives to Retirement.
Early Retirement.
Partial Retirement.
Second Careers.
Personal Responses to Retirement.
Phase 1: Preretirement.
Phase II: The Honeymoon.
Phase III: The Retirement Routine.
Phase IV: Disenchantment.
Phase V: Termination.
Preretirement Education.
Social Structures and Retirement.
The Dual Economy.
Displaced Workers.
The Future of Retirement.
Conclusion.
11. Housing and Transportation.
Introduction.
Living Arrangements.
An Ecological Model of Housing.
Housing Options.
Single-Family Homes.
Home Modification.
Home Equity Conversion Loans (Reverse Mortgages).
Apartment Living.
Age-Segregation vs. Age-Integration.
Normal Design vs. Special Design.
Congregate Housing and Assisted Living.
Subsidized Housing.
Single Room Occupancy (SRO).
Supportive Housing.
Board and Care Homes.
Nursing Homes.
Elder Cottages and Accessory Apartments.
Homesharing.
Retirement Communities.
Continuing Care Retirement Communities.
The Future of Housing.
Integration of Housing and Services.
Low-Income, Rural, and Minority Housing.
Transportation.
Public Transportation.
Private Transportation.
Conclusion.
12. Leisure, Recreation, and Education.
Introduction.
Leisure.
Age and Leisure.
Gender and Leisure.
Race and Leisure.
Leisure Education.
New Activities in Old Age.
Outdoor Recreation.
Fitness, Health, and Well-Being.
Challenges to Fitness in Later Life.
Programs that Overcome Barriers to Active Living.
Masters Athletes and the Senior Olympics.
Senior Centers.
Education.
Elderhostel.
Lifelong Learning Institutes (LLIs).
The Future of Education for Older People.
Community Service and Volunteer Work.
Conclusion.
13. Family Life and Social Relations.
Introduction.
Part One: Family Life, Marriage, and Widowhood.
Marriage Demographics.
Marital Status.
The Advantages and Disadvantages of Marriage.
Divorce.
Lifelong Singlehood.
Widowhood.
Bereavement.
Widows and Widowers: Coping with Loss.
Dating and Remarriage.
Sexuality.
Physical Changes and Sexual
Adaptations.
Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Older People.
Part Two: Social Support.
Family Life and Family Supports.
Informal Supports for Older People.
Four Models of Informal Support.
Spousal Support.
Children and Other Relatives.
Supports for Childless Older People.
Friends and Neighbors.
Siblings as a Source of Informal Support.
Minority Differences in Social Support.
Male and Female Caregivers.
Caregiver Burden.
The Rewards of Caregiving.
Care for the Caregiver.
The Future of Informal Support.
Eldercare and the Workplace.
Older People as Family Supporters.
Grandparenting.
Grandparenting and New Family Structures.
Grandparent Visitation Rights.
Grandparents as Surrogate Parents.
Elder Abuse.
Theories of Abuse.
Responses to Abuse.
Elder Abuse Policies.
Future Issues in Elder Abuse.
Conclusion.
14. Death and Dying.
Introduction.
Death and Society.
Death in Old Age.
Institutional Death.
Changes in the Treatment of the Dying.
Stages of Death and Dying.
The Hospice Movement.
Hospice Program Goals.
Palliative Care.
Palliative Care for the Elderly.
Ethical Issues.
Advance Directives.
Euthanasia and Physician-Assisted Suicide.
Mourning and Grief.
Conclusion.
15. Politics and Policies.
Introduction.
Voting.
Participation Trends among Older Voters.
Will Older People Form a Voting Bloc?
Holding Political Office.
Advocacy.
The AARP (American Association of Retired Persons).
The Limits of Advocacy.
The Medicare Catastrophic Coverage Act (MCCA).
Activism.
Government and Aging Policy.
The Older Americans Act (OAA).
Generational Equity.
The Future of Aging, Politics, and Policy.
Conclusion.
Summary.
Discussion Questions.
Suggested Reading.
Glossary of Terms.
Gerontology Careers and You.
Introduction.
Challenges for American Society.
Age Irrelevance.
Diversity.
Generational Interdependence.
Gerontology Education.
Types of Gerontology Programs.
University and College Programs.
In-service Programs.
Work and Careers in Gerontology.
Finding Work in the Field of Aging.
Gerontology and You.
Works Consulted.
Index.