Social Gerontology : A Multidisciplinary Perspective

This best-selling, multidisciplinary, social aging text presents positive images of aging while considering the many factors that contribute to how aging individuals experiences life.   Up-to-date and expanded, this text offers a comprehensive view that presents aging positively, portraying concepts of active aging and resiliency, and defining ;productive aging ; by elaborating on the numerous ways elders contribute to society and their families. Based on the latest research findings, it offers greater depth to critical issues of aging, attending to differences by age and cohort, gender, ethnic minority status, sexual orientation, and socio-economic status.

Nancy R. Hooyman

Nancy R. Hooyman holds the Hooyman Professorship of Gerontology and is dean emeritus at the School of Social Work at the University of Washington. Her MSW and Ph.D. in sociology and social work are from the University of Michigan. She is nationally recognized for her scholarship in aging and multigenerational policy and practice, gender inequities in family caregiving, and feminist gerontology. In addition to this textbook, Dr. Hooyman is the co-author of Living through Loss: Interventions across the Life Span; Taking Care of Aging Family Members; and Feminist Perspectives on Family Care: Policies for Gender Justice, and editor of Transforming Social Work Education: The First Decade of the Hartford Geriatric Social Work Initiative. She has published over 120 articles and chapters and is a frequent national and international presenter on issues related to gerontology, a multigenerational perspective, and women. She is Co-Principal Investigator of the Council on Social Work Education’s National Center for Gerontological Social Work Education, funded by the John A. Hartford Foundation, and an advisory board member and national research mentor for the Hartford Geriatric Social Work Faculty Scholars Program. . A Fellow in the Gerontological Society of America, Dr. Hooyman is past-chair of GSA’s Social Research, Policy and Practice Section  She received the Significant Lifetime Achievement in Social Work Education Award from the Council on Social Work Education in 2009.

 

 

H. Asuman Kiyak

H. Asuman Kiyak is Director of the Institute on Aging, professor in the School of Dentistry, and adjunct professor in the Departments of Architecture and Psychology at the University of Washington. She obtained her M.A. and Ph.D. in psychology at Wayne State University. Professor Kiyak has been the recipient of major research grants from NIH, CDC, AOA, the State of Washington, and private foundations in the areas of health promotion and health service utilization by older adults, and in person—environment adaptation to Alzheimer’s disease by patients and their caregivers. She has published over 130 articles and 35 chapters in these areas and is known nationally and internationally for her research on geriatric dental care and the application of psychological theory to health promotion. In 2000 she received the Distinguished Scientist Award from the International Association for Dental Research, and has served as president of the Geriatric Oral Research, and the Behavioral Sciences and Health Services Research Groups of IADR. Dr. Kiyak was Principal Investigator of a recently completed clinical trial in geriatric dentistry funded by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, and two studies of a community-based health promotion study funded by the CDC. She has collaborated with Intel to test new technologies and to sponsor conferences on this topic to help older adults remain active and independent. In 2003 she was named Distinguished Professor of Geriatrics at UCLA, and received the Teaching Excellence Award from the University of Washington Educational Outreach division. Professor Kiyak is a Fellow in the Gerontological Society of America.

 

IN THIS SECTION:

1.) BRIEF

2.) COMPREHENSIVE

 

 

BRIEF TABLE OF CONTENTS:

 

Part I The Field of Social Gerontology

Chapter 1 The Growth of Social Gerontology

Chapter 2 Aging in Other Countries and across Cultures in the United States

 

Part II The Biological and Physiological Context of Social Aging

Chapter 3 The Social Consequences of Physical Aging

Chapter 4 Managing Chronic Diseases and Promoting Well-Being in Old Age

 

Part III The Psychological Context of Social Aging

Chapter 5 Cognitive Changes with Aging

Chapter 6 Personality and Mental Health in Old Age

Chapter 7 Love, Intimacy, and Sexuality in Old Age

 

Part IV The Social Context of Aging

Chapter 8 Social Theories of Aging

Chapter 9 The Importance of Social Supports: Family, Friends, Neighbors, and Communities

Chapter 10 Opportunities and Challenges of Informal Caregiving

Chapter 11 Living Arrangements and Social Interactions

Chapter 12 Productive Aging: Paid and Nonpaid Roles and Activities

Chapter 13 Death, Dying, Bereavement, and Widowhood

Chapter 14 The Resilience of Elders of Color

Chapter 15 The Resilience of Older Women

 

Part V The Societal Context of Aging

Chapter 16 Social Policies to Address Social Problems

Chapter 17 Health and Long-Term Care Policy and Programs

 

 

COMPREHENSIVE TABLE OF CONTENTS:

 

Part I  The Field of Social Gerontology

 

Chapter 1 The Growth of Social Gerontology

The Field of Gerontology
Social Gerontology
What Is Aging?
An Active Aging Framework
A Person-Environment Perspective on Social Gerontology
Organization of the Text
Why Study Aging?
Growth of the Older Population
The Oldest-Old
Support Ratios
Population Trends
Impact of Demographic Trends
Longevity in Health or Disease?
How Aging and Older Adults Are Studied
Research Methods

 

Chapter 2 Aging in Other Countries and across Cultures in the United States

Global Trends

The Impact of Modernization on Older Adults’ Roles in Traditional Societies

A Cross-Cultural View of Elders’ Roles in Contemporary Societies

 

Part II  The Biological and Physiological Context of Aging

 

Chapter 3 The Social Consequences of Physical Aging

Biological Theories of Aging

Can Aging Be Reversed or Delayed?

Research on Physiological Changes with Age

Changes in Sensory Functions

 

Chapter 4 Managing Chronic Diseases and Promoting Well-Being in Old Age

Defining Health

Quality of Life in Health and Illness

Chronic and Acute Diseases

Common Chronic Conditions

Falls and Their Prevention

Use of Physician Services by Older People

Health Promotion with Older People

 

Part III  The Psychological Context of Aging

 

Chapter 5 Cognitive Changes with Aging

Intelligence and Aging

Factors That May Influence Intelligence in Adulthood

The Process of Learning and Memory

The Information Processing Model

Factors That Affect Learning in Old Age

Age-Related Changes in Memory

Improving Cognitive Abilities in Old Age

Wisdom and Creativity

 

Chapter 6 Personality and Mental Health in Old Age

Defining Personality

Stage Theories of Personality

Trait Theories of Personality

Self-Concept and Self-Esteem

Successful Aging

Mental Disorders among Older Persons

Psychotherapy with Older Persons

 

Chapter 7 Love, Intimacy, and Sexuality in Old Age

Attitudes and Beliefs about Sexuality in Later Life

Myths and Reality about Physiological Changes and Frequency of Sexual Activity

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Partners in Old Age

Women and Age-Related Physiological Changes

Men and Age-Related Physiological Changes

Chronic Diseases and Sexuality

Psychosocial Factors and Late-Life Affection, Love, and Intimacy

Facilitating Older Adults' Intimacy and Sexuality

 

Part IV The Social Context of Aging

 

Chapter 8 Social Theories of Aging

The Importance of Social Theories of Aging

Social Gerontological Theory before 1961: Role and Activity

The First Transformation of Theory

Alternative Theoretical Perspectives

Recent Developments in Social Gerontological Theory: The Second Transformation

 

Chapter 9 The Importance of Social Supports: Family, Friends, Neighbors, and Communities

The Nature and Function of Informal Supports

The Impact of Informal Networks and Social Supports on Well-Being

Growth of the Multigenerational Family

Older Partners

Childless Older Adults

Sibling Relationships

Other Kin

Intergenerational Relationships: Adult Children

Grandparenthood and Great-Grandparenthood

Friends and Neighbors as Social Supports

Interventions to Strengthen or Build Social Supports

Relationships with Pets

 

Chapter 10 Opportunities and Challenges of Informal Caregiving

Who Are Informal Caregivers?

Costs and Benefits of Informal Care

Caregiver Gains

The Gendered Nature of Family Care

Spouses/Partners as Caregivers

Adult Children/Grandchildren as Caregivers

Family Caregivers of Color

Caregiving for Persons with Dementia

Legislation to Support Family Caregivers

Supportive Services for Family Caregivers

Elder Mistreatment

Placement in Long-Term Care Facilities

Underpaid Caregivers: Direct Care Workers

 

Chapter 11 Living Arrangements and Social Interactions

Person-Environment Theories of Aging

Geographic Distribution of the Older Population

Elder-Friendly/Livable Communities

Relocation

The Impact of the Neighborhood

Victimization and Fear of Crime

Housing Patterns of Older People

Long Term Care

Services to Assist Aging in Place

Technology to Help Aging in Place

Housing Policy and Government Programs

Homelessness

Aging in Place among Older Prisoners

 

Chapter 12 Productive Aging: Paid and Nonpaid Roles and Activities

What Do We Mean by Productive Aging? Definitions and Critique

Retirement

Employment Status

Economic Status: Sources of Income in Retirement

Patterns and Functions of Nonpaid Roles and Activities

 

Chapter 13 Death, Dying, Bereavement, and Widowhood

The Changing Context of Dying

The Dying Process

End-of-Life Care

The Right to Die or Hastened Death

Legal Options Regarding End-of-Life Care

Bereavement, Grief, and Mourning Rituals

Widowhood

 

Chapter 14 The Resilience of Elders of Color

Defining Ethnicity and Culture

Research History

Older African Americans

Older Latinos

Older American Indians

Older Asian/Pacific Islanders

Implications for Services

 

Chapter 15 The Resilience of Older Women

Rationale for a Focus on Older Women's Needs

Older Women's Economic Status

Older Women's Health Status

Older Women's Social Status

 

Part V  The Societal Context of Aging

Chapter 16 Social Policies to Address Social Problems

Variations among Policies and Programs

Factors Affecting the Development of Policies

The Development of Policies for Older People

Income Security Programs: Social Security and Supplemental Security Income

Private Pensions and Income Tax Provisions

Policy Dilemmas

 

Chapter 17 Health and Long-Term Care Policy and Programs

Health Care Expenditures for Older Adults

Medicare

Medicaid

Private Supplemental and Long-Term Care Insurance

Innovative Programs