Social Gerontology: Pearson New International Edition

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