Issues in Aging

Opportunities and Optimism in Aging Issues in Aging, 3rd edition takes an optimistic view of aging and human potential in later life. This book 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. Mark Novak presents the full picture of aging--exhibiting both the problems and the opportunities that accompany older age. The text illustrates how generations are dependent on one another and how social conditions affect both the individual and social institutions. Learning Goals Upon completing this book, readers will be able to: * Understand how large-scale social issues--social attitudes, the study of aging, and demographic issues--affect individuals and social institutions * Identify the political responses to aging and how individuals can create a better old age for themselves and the people they know * Separate the myths from the realities of aging * Recognize the human side of aging * Trace the transformation of pension plans, health, and opportunities for personal expression and social engagement to the new ecology of aging todayIN THIS SECTION: 1.) BRIEF TABLE OF CONTENTS 2.) FULL TABLE OF CONTENTS BRIEF TABLE OF CONTENTS: Chapter 1: Aging Today Chapter 2: Theories and Methods Chapter 3: Demography Chapter 4: Personal Health and Well-Being Chapter 5: The Life Course Chapter 6: Race and Ethnicity Chapter 7: The Health Care System Chapter 8: Finances and Economics Chapter 9: Retirement and Work Chapter 10: Housing and Transportation Chapter 11: Leisure, Recreation, and Education Chapter 12: Family Life and Social Support Chapter 13: Social Support Chapter 14: Death and Dying Chapter 15: Politics and Policies FULL TABLE OF CONTENTS: Chapter 1: Aging Today Why Study Aging? Ageism Culture as A Source 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 The Ageless Self: Another Form of Ageism Responses to Ageism Change on the Horizon The Media The Senior Market: A New Image of Aging Education Programs Intergenerational Programs Legislation and Social Action Conclusion Summary Discussion Questions Suggested Reading Websites to Consult Chapter 2: Theories and Methods 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 Interpretive Perspective Critique of the Interpretive Perspective Functionalist Perspective Age Stratification Theory: An Example of the Functionalist Perspective Individual Aging Societal Change Critique of the Functionalist Perspective Conflict Perspective Critique of the Conflict Perspective New Developments in Theory Experimental Designs Cross-Sectional Designs Longitudinal Designs Quantitative and Qualitative Methods The Humanities Information Literacy: The Challenge of the Internet Ethical Issues in Research The Future of Gerontological Theory and Methods Conclusion Summary Discussion Questions Suggested Reading Websites to Consult Chapter 3: Demography The Challenge of Population Aging What Is Population Aging The Demographic Transition Three Types of Societies and Population Aging The Less Developed Nations China: A Case study of Population Aging in a Developing Nation The Least Developed Nations Ghana: A Case Study of Population Aging in a Least Developed Nation Summary of Aging in Developing and Least Developed Nations The developed nations Japan: A Case Study of Population Aging in a Developed Nation Population Aging in the United States Increased Numbers of Older People Increased Proportion of Older People 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 Accumulation Recomposition Congregation Interstate Migration Amenity Migration Retirement Moderate Disability Major Chronic Disability Urban-Rural Distribution Changes in the Sex Ratio The Impact of Population Aging Support (or Dependency Ratios) Critique of Dependency Ratios Conclusion Summary Discussion Questions Suggested Reading Websites to Consult Chapter 4: Personal Health and Well-Being Biological Aging Theories of Biological Aging Programmed Theories Programmed Senescence Endocrine and Immunological Theory Error Theories Somatic Mutation Theory Cross-Linking Theory Free Radicals Theory Other Theories The Effects of Aging on Body Systems Musculoskeletal 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 Improvements in Lifestyle Compression of Morbidity Hypothesis Successful Aging Rowe and Kahn's Model of Successful Aging The SOC Model of Successful Aging A Life Course Model of Successful Aging Anti-Aging Medicine and Science Social Inequality and Personal Health Conclusion Summary Discussion Questions Suggested Reading Websites to Consult Chapter 5: The Life course Memory and Intelligence Experience and Mental Function in Later Life: The Study of Reading Summary of Memory Research Intelligence New Models of Mental Ability in Later Life The Study of Wisdom in Later Life Creativity 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 Psychological disorders: abnormal aging Organic Disorders: Cognitive Impairment in Later Life Functional Disorders Loneliness Social Breakdown and Reconstruction Conclusion Summary Discussion Questions Suggested Reading Websites to Consult Chapter 6: Race and Ethnicity Who Are the Minority Elderly? Why Study Minority Aging? Demographic Characteristics of Dominant and Minority Group Elders Whites: The Dominant Group Older Population The Minority Older Population Diversity of the Minority Population 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 Hispanic Americans Asian Americans American Indians and Alaskan Natives (AIAN) Responses to Minority Group Aging Future Issues Conclusion Summary Discussion Questions Suggested Reading Websites to Consult Chapter 7: The Health Care System Three Models of Health Care The Medical Model The Social Model The Health Promotion Model The U.S. Health Care System Today Medicare Medicaid Employer-Sponsored Health Care Plans Medigap and Long-Term Care Insurance The Health Care System and the Cost of Care Long-term Care: A Response to Older People's Needs Institutional Care Community-Based Services Managed Care: Alternative Delivery Methods Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Beyond Fitness and Personal Health Promotion Future Issues in Health Care Availability Accessibility Coordination Conclusion Summary Discussion Questions Suggested Reading Websites to Consult Chapter 8: Finances and Economics Historical Development of the U.S. Pension System The U.S. Retirement Income System Today Level One: Social Security Level Two: Employment Pensions Level Three: Personal Assets and Other Income The Impact of the Retirement Income System on Older People's 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 Supplemental Security Income Reform Private Pension Reform The Future Conclusion Summary Discussion Questions Suggested Reading Websites to Consult Chapter 9: Retirement and Work The Social Origins of Retirement Retirement in the United States Today Women and Retirement Minorities and Retirement Alternatives to Retirement Early Retirement Partial Retirement Second Careers Personal Responses to Retirement Social Structures and Retirement The Dual Economy Displaced Workers The Future of Retirement Conclusion Summary Discussion Questions Suggested Reading Websites to Consult Chapter 10: Housing and Transportation Living Arrangements An Ecological Model of Housing Housing Options Single-Family Homes Apartment Living Congregate Housing and Assisted (Apartment) Living Subsidized Housing Single Room Occupancy (SRO) Supportive Housing Accessory Dwelling Units Home Sharing Retirement Communities Continuing Care Retirement Communities Low-Income, Rural, and Minority Housing Homelessness The Future of Housing Transportation Public Transportation Private Transportation Conclusion Summary Discussion Questions Suggested Reading Websites to Consult Chapter 11: Leisure, Recreation, and Education Leisure Age and Leisure Gender and Leisure Minority Status and Leisure Leisure Education New Activities in Old Age Outdoor Recreation Fitness, Health, and Well-Being Senior Centers Education Formal Higher Education Informal Educational Options Elderhostel Lifelong Learning Institutes The Future of Education for Older People Community Service and Volunteer Work Volunteer Opportunities Conclusion Summary Discussion Questions Suggested Reading Websites to Consult Chapter 12: Family Life and Social Support Marriage and Widowhood Marital Status Widowhood Sexuality Grandparenting The Future of the Family Conclusion Summary Discussion Questions Suggested Reading Websites to Consult Chapter 13: Social Support What is Informal Social Support? Family Life and Family Supports Informal Supports for Older People The Role of Formal Supports Supports for Childless Older People Minority Differences in Social Support Websites to Consult Caregiving Gender Roles and the Challenge of Caregiving The Future of Informal Support Eldercare and the Workplace Older People as Family Supporters Elder Abuse The Future of Social Supports Summary Discussion Questions Suggested Reading Websites to Consult Chapter 14: Death and Dying Death and Society Death in Old Age The Experience of Dying Institutional Death Changes in the Treatment of the Dying Stages of Death and Dying Hospice Care Palliative Care Ethical Issues Advance Directives Euthanasia and Physician-Assisted Suicide Mourning and Grief Conclusion Summary Discussion Questions Suggested Reading Websites to Consult Chapter 15: Politics and Policies Voting Participation Trends among Older Voters Will Older People Form a Voting Bloc? Holding Political Office Advocacy The American Association of Retired Persons The Limits of Advocacy The Medicare Modernization Act (MMA) Activism Government and Aging Policy The Older Americans Act Generational Equity Civic Engagement The Future of Aging, Politics, and Policy Conclusion Summary Discussion Questions Suggested Reading Websites to Consult Works Consulted Glossary of Terms Index