This book provides a multidisciplinary compendium of research pertaining to aging among diverse racial and ethnic populations in the United States. It focuses on paramount public health, social, behavioral, and biological concerns as they relate to the needs of older minorities. The book is divided into four parts covering psychology, public health/biology, social work, and sociology of minority gang. The book focuses on the needs of four major race and ethnic groups: Asian/Pacific Islander, Hispanic/Latino, black/African American, and Native American. It also includes both inter- and intra-race and ethnic group research for insights regarding minority aging. The chapters focus on an array of subject areas that are recognized as being critical to understanding the well-being of minority elders. These include psychology (cognition, stress, mental health, personality, sexuality, religion, neuroscience, discrimination); medicine/nursing/public health (mortality and morbidity, disability, health disparities, long-term care, genetics, nutritional status, health interventions, physical functioning); social work (aging, caregiving, housing, social services, end-of-life care); and sociology (Medicare, socioeconomic status (SES), work and retirement, social networks, context/neighborhood, ethnography, gender, demographics).

The book summarizes what is meant by theory, and why theory is so important to advancing aging-related research, policy, practice, and intervention, and can keep researchers and practitioners in gerontology abreast of the newest theories and models of aging. It addresses theories and concepts built on cumulative knowledge in four disciplinary areas, biology, psychology, social sciences, and policy and practice, as well as landmark advances in trans-disciplinary science. Since longevity is indirectly governed by the genome it is sexually determined, and because aging is a stochastic process, it is not. Chapters cover major paradigm shifts that have occurred in geropsychology, theories in the sociology of aging, evolutionary theories pertaining to human diseases, theories of stem cell aging, evidence that loss of proteostasis is a central driver of aging and age-related diseases, theories of emotional well-being and aging, theories of social support in health and aging, and other theories such as environmental gerontological theories and biodemographic theories. Many chapters also address connections between theories and policy or practice. The book also contains a new section, "Standing on the Shoulders of Giants", which includes personal essays by senior gerontologists who share their perspectives on the history of ideas in their fields, and on their experiences with the process and prospects of developing good theory.

This book fills a gaping void in the selection of textbooks to use in graduate courses on the psychology of aging. It serves as a primer for any graduate student who is going to work in a clinical setting with older adults, or in a research lab that studies some aspect of the psychology of aging. The book introduces students to the background knowledge needed in order to understand some of the more complex concepts in the psychology of aging. Additionally, it provides clear explanations of concepts (e.g., genetics of aging research, neuroimaging techniques, understanding of important legal documents for older adults). The book focuses solely on older adults, providing in-depth coverage of this burgeoning population. It also provides coverage on cognitive reserve, neurocognitive disorders, and social aspects of aging. The book is intended for graduate students or upper-level undergraduate students in psychology, biology, nursing, counseling, social work, gerontology, speech pathology, psychiatry, and other disciplines who provide services for, or perform research with, older adults. It is organized into four sections. Section I presents introduction to the psychology of aging. Section II gives a core foundation in biological aspects of aging. It covers general biological theories of aging, common physical health problems in older adults, and normal changes that occur to the brain with aging. Section III describes the psychological components of aging such as changes in personality and emotional development, mental health aspects of aging, normal changes in cognitive functioning, cognitive reserve and interventions for cognitive decline, neurocognitive disorders in aging, aging's impact on relationships and families, and working in late life and retirement. The final section presents the social aspects of aging, which includes death, bereavement, and widowhood, aging experience in ethnic and sexual minorities, and lastly, aging and the legal system.

This book outlines the many changes that have taken place in both the policy arena and the demographics of aging. It is divided into four sections. The first section, Older Americans and the Aging Networks, shows how older Americans are increasingly diverse in a variety of ways, including racial and ethnic backgrounds, religion, spirituality, socioeconomic status, and sexual orientation. It presents the latest demographic data on the older population in the United States, as an important background to the planning and development of programs and services. It also addresses the current status of older Americans and the social, political, and economic consequences of the demographic shifts we are currently undergoing and must be prepared for to face tomorrow. The section two addresses Older Americans Act legislation and an expanding consumer base and the evolution from what we knew as a network to what we see now and will continue to witness in terms of an expanding set of networks attempting to work together to improve the lives of older adults. The section three brings us to a new era of community-based services that also includes issues related to the rights and well-being of older Americans. It introduces community-based services provided by the aging networks and addresses the community supports provided by the aging networks to assist older adults to age in place. Aging in place, as we define it, is anywhere an older adult is living, whether it is independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing, memory care, or in a family or group setting. The final section weaves together the landscape of survival, sustainability, and success. It discusses in detail the workforce issues of the aging network, the aging world and the challenge of change, and the persistent and emerging issues for the aging networks.

This book provides innovative ways to incorporate aging content into courses, trainings, and workshops for students or professionals. It presents activities which offer hands-on approaches to engage students of all backgrounds–from social workers to family caregivers, medical students to demographers, nurses to community planners, personal care attendants to students in introduction to gerontology courses. These faculty-tested, peer-reviewed educational activities cover topics ranging from physical aging, media, and demographic portrayals of older adults to disaster planning, public policy, and diversity among older adults. The book includes 32 unique and interesting activities. Each activity comes with detailed instructions, basic back-ground information, a materials list, and an explanation of how the specific content aligns with one or more of the Association for Gerontology in Higher Education (AGHE) competencies for undergraduate and graduate education in gerontology. The book is divide into eleven chapters. The first chapter explores teaching courses on aging, and the potential of experiential learning activities to engage students. The second chapter discusses ageism and aging in the media. The next four chapters talk about dementia, demography, health care, and housing for older adults. The seventh chapter describes physical aging. Chapter 8 analyzes public policy and aging. Chapter 9 describes positive interactions with older adults. Chapter 10 explains research projects and papers, and the final chapter discusses spirituality.

An aging population is one where the number and proportion of older people increases over time. This is referred to as demographic aging or population aging. Demographic changes since the second half of the last century have led to a global aging population resulting in important economic and social concerns worldwide. The main causes of aging populations are declining fertility rates and increasing life expectancy. This review book compares and contrasts the five domains of practice to the four domains identified in the National Association of Long Term Care Administrator Boards (NAB) criteria effective 2022. Except for NAB's realignment from five to four domains of practice, the content information, knowledge base and tasks are equivalent. Each of the five parts of this Review Book focuses sequentially on the five domains of practice resulting from this comparative analysis. It is evident that this Review Book has retained the initial knowledge areas or domains of practice; the Review Book also reflects the Second Edition of Assisted Living Administration and Management: Effective Practices and Model Programs in Elder Care upon which it is based. Part One covers Domain of Practice 1, organizational management; Part Two explores Domain of Practice 2, human resources management; Part Three focuses on Domain of Practice 3, business and financial management; Part Four includes Domain of Practice 4, Environmental management; and Part Five involves Domain of practice 5, Resident care management. Aspiring residential care/assisted living administrators must identify a particular path to fulfill their professional goal and obtain a career in long-term care administration. While there are different options for students and practitioners, the review book explores possible steps to becoming a residential care/assisted living administrator.

This textbook has been developed for introductory courses in gerontology, as well as other courses with gerontology components. Gerontology is multifaceted and interdisciplinary. By necessity, it encompasses a broad range of subjects including psychology, sociology, architecture, biology, communications, economics, education, humanities, law, medicine, nursing, political science, public administration and policy, public health, public safety, social work, and vocational skills. Indeed, gerontology encompasses every academic discipline that in some way relates to the lives of older people in contemporary America. The book is divided into six parts. Part I focuses on the longevity dividend and the importance of mobilizing all sectors of the society to realize the opportunities and address the challenges of an aging society. Part II deals with physical and mental well-being. It discusses in detail the following: physical changes and the aging process; health and wellness for older adults; mental health, cognitive abilities, and aging; sexuality and aging; and death, dying, and bereavement. Part III focuses on economic and social aspects of aging. It focuses on economics, work, and retirement, explores family, friends, and social networks of older adults and discusses how older adults contribute to their communities and how they receive support. Part IV focuses on formal support systems. It discusses in detail the following: older adults giving and receiving support; medical conditions, assisted living, and long-term care; and medicare, medicaid, and medications. Part V focuses on Americans at risk for poor economic and health outcomes as they age — women, people of color, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals. It also describes elder abuse and highlights its consequences. Part VI explores the many career opportunities within the field of gerontology and explains how the study of aging can be applied to any position in any field.

This book serves as the pillar for clinical care teams to improve health equity among homeless older adults. Interdisciplinary care teams are essential in complex homeless older population clinical practice, as all disciplines must work together to address medical, surgical, behavioral, nutritional, and social determinants of health. All clinicians who treat older adults, from the independent to the frail, should approach problem solving via an inclusive approach that includes social work, pharmacy, nursing, rehabilitation, administrative, and medicine inputs. The social determinants of health that contribute to the complexities of clinical care outcomes cannot be addressed within silos. The book reflects a holistic care model to assist clinicians in the complicated homeless population that is continuing to change in the instability of the homeless environment. The book is divided into 14 chapters. The chapters in are organized by problems most commonly faced by clinicians in servicing homeless populations: mental, social, medical, and surgical challenges. Chapter one presents definition and background of geriatric homelessness. Chapter two discusses chronic mental health issues (psychosis) in the geriatric homeless. Chapters three and four describe neurocognitive disorders, depression, and grief in the geriatric homeless population. The next two chapters explore ethical, legal, housing and social issues in the geriatric homeless. Chapters seven and eight discuss infectious diseases in homeless geriatrics population. Chapter nine is on cardiovascular disease in homeless older adults. Chapter 10 describes care of geriatric diabetic homeless patients. Chapter 11 discusses geriatric nutrition and homelessness. Chapter 12 presents barriers and applications of medication therapy management in the homeless population. Chapter 13 describes dermatologic conditions in the homeless population. Finally, the book addresses end-of-life considerations in homelessness and aging.

This book promotes healthy aging by demonstrating how health practitioners, program developers, and policymakers can prevent or manage disease and make large-scale improvements toward health and wellness in the older adult population. This eighth edition encompasses major new research that substantially updates previous recommendations. It provides important new content on Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security and the Affordable Care Act; clinical preventive services; global aging; sexual health; saving for retirement; long-term care alternatives; and much more. The book focuses on current research findings and practical applications, and includes detailed descriptions of two of the author’s programs that have been recognized by the National Council on Aging and included in its Best Practices in Health Promotion and Aging. These consist of a comprehensive exercise program in the community that includes aerobics, strength building, flexibility and balance, and health education; and a health contract/calendar used to help older adults change their health behaviors. The book includes key terms and learning objectives at the start of each chapter; questions to ponder within each chapter; boxes throughout containing information to reflect upon, and new chapter-ending summaries. These summaries do not just list highlights in each chapter, but synthesize an overarching theme or themes of each chapter. The book is practical, including health-promoting tools, resource lists, assessment tools, illustrations, checklists, and tables.

This book is part of the Critical Topics in an Aging Society series. It serves as a catalyst in the technological transformation of aging services through organized presentation and evaluation of tools for a broad health care audience. Geriatrics interprofessional care is a fundamental part of older adult clinical practice modeled on a team approach inclusive of various fields, among them social work, pharmacy, nursing, rehabilitation, administration, and medicine. All clinicians who treat older adults, from the independent to the frail, are engaged in geriatrics team care which is continually adapting and evolving for individuals based on functional status changes, new treatment paradigms, and different settings of care. The need for advanced technology is clearly evident as one enters a hospital, nursing home, or geriatric care setting, including the patient’s home. Older adults have limited abilities to adapt to changes across these care locations, and thoughtfully implemented technology may eliminate these obstacles while providing safer, more enjoyable, and cost-effective care. The book presents some of the latest medical technological innovations and discusses options to help improve not only transitions of care, but also independence and quality of life for older adults. It is organized into four sections. The first section discusses current major challenges in aging and targets for technology, and promoting technology adoption and engagement in aging. The second section focuses on transitions of care and technology integration, home telehealth, and telemedicine and its effects on elder care in rural areas. Section three explores technology design for frailty, technology and cognitive impairment, advances in medication adherence technology, and technological advancements in pain management in elderly population. The final section describes personalized medicine and wearable devices, social robots and other relational agents to improve patient care, artificial intelligence and its potential to improve health, and advances in health education technology.