Later Life: The Realities of Aging

For anyone interest in Sociology of Aging or Gerontology taught primarily in departments of sociology. An interdisciplinary introduction to the aging process which uses symbolic interactionism as the main theoretical perspective. Accessible, interdisciplinary coverage with chapters covering a variety of subject matter areas from biology to psychology, from economics to sociology, from political science to religion. Utilizes symbolic interaction perspective to explain behavior problems and an individual's adaptations associated with the process of aging.

Harold G. Cox is a professor of sociology at the University of Indiana, USA

Preface

vii

PART I: Introduction

Emergence and Scope of Gerontology

1

(21)

The Advent of Gerontology

1

(2)

Demographic Trends

3

(19)

Conclusion

17

(1)

Key Terms

18

(1)

Notes

19

(1)

References

19

(3)

Problems, Public Perception, and Stereotypes of Older Americans

22

(16)

The Problems of Aging

22

(5)

Public Perceptions of Older Persons

27

(4)

Misconceptions

31

(7)

Conclusion

34

(1)

Key Terms

35

(1)

Notes

35

(1)

References

36

(2)

Theoretical Perspectives on Aging

38

(29)

Theory and Research

38

(3)

Disengagement Theory

41

(3)

Activity Theory

44

(2)

Human Development Theories

46

(4)

Continuity Theory

50

(2)

Age Stratification Theory

52

(1)

Older Americans as a Minority Group

53

(1)

Aging as an Exchange

54

(3)

The Symbolic Interaction Perspective

57

(1)

Labeling Theory

58

(2)

Evaluating Theories of Aging

60

(7)

Conclusion

61

(1)

Key Terms

62

(1)

Notes

62

(1)

References

63

(4)

Historical and Cross-Cultural Comparisons of Aging

67

(26)

Introduction

67

(3)

Demographic Transition and the Aging of the World's Population

70

(3)

Modernization and Aging

73

(1)

Criticism of the Modernization Theory

74

(2)

Critical Variables Determining the Status of the Aged

76

(3)

Theoretical Views on the Changing Status of the Elderly

79

(2)

Roles and Status of the Aged in Three Cultures

81

(12)

Conclusion

89

(1)

Key Terms

90

(1)

Notes

90

(1)

References

90

(3)

PART II: The Individual and the Social System

Biological and Health Correlates of Aging

93

(34)

Introduction

93

(4)

Age-Related Changes in Human Physiology

97

(1)

Major Causes of Illness and Death in Old Age

98

(4)

Biological Theories of Aging

102

(5)

Psychological and Sociological Aspects of Illness

107

(6)

Holistic Health Care

113

(2)

Exercise and Aging

115

(12)

Conclusion

118

(5)

Key Terms

123

(1)

Notes

123

(1)

References

124

(3)

Psychological Changes in Later Life

127

(28)

Introduction

127

(1)

Psychological and Performance Changes

128

(4)

Personality

132

(2)

Stability and Change in Personality

134

(4)

Self-Esteem

138

(2)

Adjustment to Aging

140

(2)

Stress

142

(13)

Conclusion

149

(1)

Key Terms

150

(1)

Notes

150

(1)

References

151

(4)

Age Norms, Age Constraints, and Adult Socialization

155

(20)

Life Space

157

(1)

Role

158

(3)

Age Synchronization

161

(3)

Normative Constraints

164

(1)

Attitudes toward Old Age

165

(1)

Social Class and Adjustment to Old Age

166

(2)

Age, Gender, and Longevity

168

(7)

Conclusion

171

(1)

Key Terms

172

(1)

Notes

172

(1)

References

173

(2)

Aging Minority Group Members

175

(23)

Demographic Characteristics

177

(9)

Social Aspects of Aging

186

(1)

Service Needs

187

(1)

Subcultural and Value Disparities between the Dominant Group and Minority Groups

188

(2)

The Asian American

190

(2)

Native Americans

192

(6)

Conclusion

193

(1)

Key Terms

194

(1)

Notes

195

(1)

References

196

(2)

PART III: Adjustment Patterns and Changing Lifestyles in Old Age

Family Patterns in Later Life

198

(30)

Marital Status of Older Americans

199

(1)

Changing Roles and the Aging Family

200

(1)

Husband-Wife Relations

201

(8)

Intergenerational Relations

209

(2)

Grandparenthood

211

(3)

Widowhood

214

(3)

Alternative Lifestyles

217

(2)

Second Marriages

219

(9)

Conclusion

221

(2)

Key Terms

223

(1)

Notes

223

(1)

References

223

(5)

Work, Leisure, and Retirement Patterns

228

(25)

Introduction

228

(1)

Work

229

(5)

Free Time

234

(1)

Leisure

235

(4)

Retirement

239

(14)

Conclusion

248

(1)

Key Terms

249

(1)

Notes

249

(1)

References

250

(3)

Living Environments in Later Life

253

(27)

Residential Segregation of the Aged

255

(5)

Design and Environmental Factors in Senior Housing

260

(3)

Housing and Community Choices of Older Americans

263

(3)

Housing Costs

266

(2)

Sociability

268

(1)

Institutionalization

269

(3)

The Eden Alternative

272

(8)

Conclusion

273

(2)

Key Terms

275

(1)

Notes

275

(1)

References

276

(4)

Death and Dying

280

(25)

The Impact of Death on Society

281

(4)

Attitudes toward Death

285

(2)

The Meaning of Death

287

(2)

Critical Questions about Death

289

(10)

Grief

299

(6)

Conclusion

301

(1)

Key Terms

301

(1)

Notes

301

(1)

References

302

(3)

PART IV: Societal Issues Confronting Older Americans

The Economics of Aging

305

(16)

Economic Needs of Older Americans

305

(1)

Income

306

(3)

Poverty

309

(7)

Effects of Inflation

316

(5)

Conclusion

318

(1)

Key Terms

319

(1)

Notes

319

(1)

References

319

(2)

Exploitation of the Aged: Crimes, Confidence Games, and Frauds

321

(16)

Fear of Crime

321

(1)

Victimization by Crime

322

(4)

The Older Person's Response to Victimization

326

(1)

Confidence Games and Frauds

327

(3)

Abuse of the Elderly

330

(7)

Conclusion

332

(2)

Key Terms

334

(1)

Notes

334

(1)

References

335

(2)

Politics of Aging

337

(15)

Political Participation

338

(6)

Intergenerational Conflict or Consensus

344

(3)

Status Inconsistency

347

(1)

Age and Political Conservatism

348

(4)

Conclusion

348

(1)

Key Terms

349

(1)

Notes

350

(1)

References

350

(2)

Social Services for Older Americans

352

(21)

Social Services for Older Americans

352

(15)

Future Directions of Service Programs for the Aged

367

(6)

Conclusion

370

(1)

Key Terms

371

(1)

Notes

372

(1)

References

372

(1)

Religion and Aging

373

(17)

Introduction

373

(1)

Church Attendance

374

(2)

Belief in God

376

(1)

Belief in Immortality

377

(1)

Orthodox Religion

378

(1)

Religious Ritualism and Private Devotionalism

379

(2)

Religiosity and Life Satisfaction

381

(2)

The Role of the Aged in the Church

383

(7)

Conclusion

384

(2)

Key Terms

386

(1)

Notes

386

(1)

References

387

(3)

Aging and the Aged: Future Prospects and Issues

390

(15)

Gerontology: The Future of the Discipline

391

(1)

Theories of Aging

392

(2)

Health

394

(1)

Retirement Income

395

(2)

Family

397

(2)

Residential Location

399

(1)

Postindustrial Society

399

(1)

Values

400

(1)

Work and Leisure

401

(1)

Power

401

(1)

Death

402

(1)

Government Services

403

(2)

Conclusion

403

(1)

Key Terms

403

(1)

Notes

404

(1)

References

404

(1)

Index

405

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Later Life: The Realities of Aging

Summary

Author Biography

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials