This text offers a readable and friendly presentation of the important methods, findings, and theories of human aging, while actively involving the reader in meaningful exercises and critical thinking. Students are repeatedly challenged to apply information in the text to the older adults in their own lives. Specifically, suggestions for enhancing the lives of their older relatives are offered and encouraged. These include guidelines for discussions they might have regarding social, emotional, and environmental changes as well encouraging intellectual and social interaction. In this Edition: Emphasis on the science of the study of aging and why questions in aging are difficult to answer, how social scientists attempt to handle such difficulties, and the successes and failures social scientists have had thus far in answering those questions. The text also demonstrates how current research findings are now being applied in the real world and/or how they might be applied in the future. Cross-cultural comparisons and ethnic group comparisons are included wherever possible. Each chapter begins with "Senior View," which introduces students to a real person and gives them a chance to hear what older adults think and say about important issues related to the chapter and a chance to compare those opinions to the research findings. Each chapter ends with "Making Choices," emphasizing the important behavioral, emotional, and social choices that students can make now to prolong a healthy, happy life. "Chapter Projects" offer the opportunity for active learning, as students investigate for themselves an issue related to the chapter. Instructors can expand these projects for students who want to learn more, or for independent study. "Focus on Aging" boxes compliment the material in the text, providing additional insight and examples, and encouraging critical thinking. Every chapter includes discussion questions, study questions, chapter exercises, and related online resources.

Conn's Handbook of Models for Human Aging, Second Edition, presents key aspects of biology, nutrition, factors affecting lifespan, methods of age determination, use in research and the disadvantages/advantages of use. Using a multidisciplinary approach, this updated edition is designed as the only comprehensive, current work that covers the diversity in aging models. Chapters on comparative models explore age-related diseases, including Alzheimer's, joint disease, cataracts, cancer and obesity. Also included are new tricks and approaches not available in primary publications. This must-have handbook is an indispensable resource for researchers interested in the mechanisms of aging, gerontologists, health professionals, allied health practitioners and students. - Combines both the methods of study for human aging and animal models - Provides a historical overview and discussion of model availability, key methods and ethical issues - Contains over 200 full color illustrations

Recognition that aging is not the accumulation of disease, but rather comprises fundamental biological processes that are amenable to experimental study, is the basis for the recent growth of experimental biogerontology. As increasingly sophisticated studies provide greater understanding of what occurs in the aging brain and how these changes occur

The Handbook of Models for Human Aging is designed as the only comprehensive work available that covers the diversity of aging models currently available. For each animal model, it presents key aspects of biology, nutrition, factors affecting life span, methods of age determination, use in research, and disadvantages/advantes of use. Chapters on comparative models take a broad sweep of age-related diseases, from Alzheimer's to joint disease, cataracts, cancer, and obesity. In addition, there is an historical overview and discussion of model availability, key methods, and ethical issues. - Utilizes a multidisciplinary approach - Shows tricks and approaches not available in primary publications - First volume of its kind to combine both methods of study for human aging and animal models - Over 200 illustrations

Comprehension of the theories of aging requires rudimentary knowledge of oxidation and reduction reactions, protein function, cell organelles, mitosis, acquired immunity, and evolution, among other basic biological concepts. Without these fundamentals, students of biological aging struggle to learn the essentials of biological aging and how to appreciate the research advances in the field. Human Biological Aging: From Macromolecules To Organ-Systems is an introduction to human aging from the level of macromolecules to organ systems. Age changes in proteins, DNA, polysaccharides and lipids are discussed relative to known age-related alterations in structure and function produced by free radicals and oxidants. At the cellular level, age-dependent mechanisms that diminish organelle function are described. Cellular phenomena of replicative senescence apoptosis, autophagy and neuroplasticity are detailed as to their contribution to compromised cellular functions. Authored by a leader in the field, Human Biological Aging: From Macromolecules To Organ-Systems is an invaluable introduction for those studying human aging.

Aging research on the human eyes crosses all areas of ophthalmology and also relies upon biological, morphological, physiological, and biochemical tools for its study. This book reviews all aspects of human eye aging. In addition to descriptions of age-related changes in almost all the structures of the human eyes, the authors also include interesting accounts of personal experiments and data. It provides an extensive panorama of what happens during aging in the eye.

Provides statistical information on the worldwide population of people 65 years old or older.

The United States is in the midst of a major demographic shift. In the coming decades, people aged 65 and over will make up an increasingly large percentage of the population: The ratio of people aged 65+ to people aged 20-64 will rise by 80%. This shift is happening for two reasons: people are living longer, and many couples are choosing to have fewer children and to have those children somewhat later in life. The resulting demographic shift will present the nation with economic challenges, both to absorb the costs and to leverage the benefits of an aging population. Aging and the Macroeconomy: Long-Term Implications of an Older Population presents the fundamental factors driving the aging of the U.S. population, as well as its societal implications and likely long-term macroeconomic effects in a global context. The report finds that, while population aging does not pose an insurmountable challenge to the nation, it is imperative that sensible policies are implemented soon to allow companies and households to respond. It offers four practical approaches for preparing resources to support the future consumption of households and for adapting to the new economic landscape.