Gerontology: An Interdisciplinary Perspective provides a thorough and broad-based survey of the current knowledge base and is the first gerontology text aimed at the graduate level. The authors of each chapter are leading experts in their respective fields. Each chapter reflects current trends and emerging issues, as well as a firm grounding in previous research and theory, and includes review questions and a list of additional references. The interdisciplinary nature of the text clearly reflects the state of the field and emphasizes the need to take a broader view of age-related phenomena. Ideal for master's level students in gerontology, psychology, sociology, nursing, geriatrics, and related disciplines, Gerontology: An Interdisciplinary Perspective can also serve as a core text in appropriate advanced undergraduate courses.

"This new textbook creates a paradigm shift with a very practical approach to problem solving. Aging is an asset. Its focus on well care rather than just sick care by understanding physical fitness, sexual fitness, consumer fitness, nutritional fitness and social fitness among others, all point to aging as an asset leading to civic fitness and the potential for intergenerational support. This text may help springboard Gerontology into the 21st Century as the field creating excitement and hope for students and teachers alike." Cullen T. Hayashida, Ph.D. Director, Kupuna (Elder) Education Center Kapi'olani Community College University of Hawaii This research-based yet highly engaging textbook for undergraduate and masters-level college students ushers in a new paradigm of aging-that of aging as a positive stage of life. It offers an interdisciplinary perspective on the broad range of topics that comprise gerontology, using theoretical and research-based information while providing engrossing narratives and real examples of new trends, surprising findings, and controversial topics. The volume dispels many of the myths about aging through careful reporting of facts, issues, and trends. It sheds a positive light on getting older by viewing the elderly and near old as a diverse, capable subset of our population. A discussion of roles in the family, workplace, and greater society along with physical changes, health, sexuality, living environment, work, retirement, and cultural considerations reveal the challenges and opportunities faced by our rapidly aging population. This text comes with access to PowerPoint slides and an instructor's manual including learning objectives, key terms, test questions, suggested topics for essays and discussion, and suggested classroom activities and homework assignments. Key Features: Conceptualizes aging in America as a positive social revolution with far-reaching consequences Dispels negative myths about aging Engages the reader with vivid narratives Includes practical applications of knowledge throughout the text Includes instructor's manual, PowerPoint slides, and resources for additional learning opportunities Targeted to the needs of undergraduate and masters-level gerontology students

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The second edition of this engaging text reflects a welcome new paradigm for aging—that of aging as a positive stage of life. Written for undergraduate and masters-level students, it provides an interdisciplinary perspective on the wide variety of subject areas within gerontology, and combines research with engrossing narratives, new trends, and controversial topics. Substantially updated, the second edition features integrated content on the diversity of the aging population. State-of-the-art information includes new science on the biology of aging; chronic conditions; integrated care; changing roles for older adults; new demographics; and critical policy issues. The second edition examines career opportunities in gerontology and includes Practical Applications and Student Activities, new scenarios, and many more charts and graphs. Qualified instructors have access to supplementary material, including PowerPoint slides, a test bank, and an instructor’s manual. Key Features: Conceptualizes a positive approach to aging, with an emphasis on the advantages and opportunities presented by the large and growing number of older Americans Delivers comprehensive, interdisciplinary coverage of aging topics Dispels negative myths about aging Engages the reader with vivid narratives and thought-provoking activities Offers a broad range of subject areas in the field, from biological aging processes, to economics and living arrangements Provides instructor’s manual, PowerPoint slides, and test bank for additional learning Includes access to student activities answer key New to the Second Edition: Presents a new chapter on careers in aging, which explores expanding opportunities Explores new and updated demographics Includes new information on personality, palliative care, age-friendly communities, homelessness, social networks, Medicaid, and more Presents a new approach to elder abuse focusing on solutions to social isolation, a major cause of abuse

"The Gerontological Prism" promotes disciplinary cooperation in aging research and practice. To some extent, each chapter explores a unified objective, that of generating a disciplinary-blind gerontology. The fundamental assumption throughout this book is that the aging individual and society can be enhanced by an understanding of the correlates of basic social, behavioral, demographic, economic, political, ethical, and biomedical processes involving aging. Each author touches on issues that have both social psychological, and practical policy significance. They aim toward sensitizing the reader to the possibilities of a properly informed interdisciplinary approach to gerontology.