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Issues in Aging
Mark Novak, San Jose State University

ISBN-10: 0205439187
ISBN-13: 9780205439188

Publisher: Allyn & Bacon
Copyright: 2006
Format: Paper; 528 pp
Published: 10/20/2005

This item has been replaced by Issues in Aging, 2/E .

Issues in Aging takes an optimistic view of aging and human potential in later life; it 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. 

 

Whether you are older yourself, have older parents, relatives and friends, or plan to work with older people, the information in this text will help you understand aging today.

 

Organization

This book first looks at large-scale social issues – social attitudes, the study of aging, and demographic issues. It then shows how these conditions affect individuals and social institutions. The book concludes with a look at political responses to aging and how individuals can create a better old age for themselves and the people they know.

 

  • The theme of successful aging – repeated throughout the book and in all of the book’s features -- unifies the chapters.  It creates in the student an expanded awareness of later life and its possibilities.
  • Every feature in this book – the cover, chapter opening photos, charts, graphs, cartoons, vignettes at the start of the chapters, examples throughout the text, organization of the chapters, etc. all reinforce the successful aging theme.  They are all designed to open the students’ awareness to potential for growth, development, and fulfillment in later life.  This is an integrated and carefully thought out whole.
  • Each chapter focuses on a single social or psychological issue and has a clear structure. The structure of each chapter is as follows:
    • (1) It begins with a case study or vignette to draw the student into the issue. 
    • (2) It then presents the social/psychological facts and data related to that issue. 
    • (3) It goes on to look at how the current situation creates challenges to society and the individual. 
    • (4) Finally, the chapter looks at how societal and individual responses to each challenge can create a good old age now and in the future.
  • Case studies and photos of successfully aging older people give a human face to the social and psychological issues presented in the text. These cases and photos show how older people have successfully responded to the challenges of aging.  They reinforce the text’s underlying successful aging philosophy – that growth and development take place throughout life.  They lead students to take a more positive view of aging.
    •  Examples of case studies include: 
      • Box 8.2 — “The Limits of the Medical Model” where a woman recounts her addiction to prescription drugs
      • Box 6.2 — “Wisdom in Later Life” presents a series of brief cases studies that show wisdom expressed by older people
      • Box 5.5 — “Facts on AIDS and Older People discusses the prevalence of HIV/AIDS among older people and presents some examples of older people who face this illness
      • Box 12.1 - “Travels with Grandpa” tells the story of grandparents bonding with grandchildren during excursions
  • Figures and tables in the text provide students with a visual approach to the material.  Each chart includes an explanation of the chart’s contents, its relevance to the topic, and the main point the chart makes.  The charts exercise the students’ analytical skills.  Instructors can use the charts to teach students how to read visual data – an important skill as students go on in their studies.
    • Examples of charts include: 
      • Figures 6.3 and 6.4 — “The Social Reconstruction Syndrome” and “The Social Breakdown Syndrome” by Kuypers and Bengtson
      • Figure 4.4 - "Population Pyramids"
      • Figure 5.5 - "Compression of Morbidity"
  • Contains the most up-to-date data from government sources, scientific studies, and research journal articles.  Chapters also contain the latest information about solutions to current problems.  The text describes programs that point the way to the future (e.g. improvements in highways and automobiles to create safe conditions for older drivers; the latest thinking on exercise and health maintenance; future responses to elder abuse). 
  • Every chapter provides examples of creative approaches to improving American society and the lives of older people. 
  • Examines the intersection of aging and important social institutions such as the health care system, the economy and workplace, the educational system, and families.
  • Chapter 4 discusses aging at other times in human history and how aging poses some unique challenges in modern societies.
  • Two early chapters (5 and 6) provide background on the biological and psychological aspects of aging.
  • A concluding chapter discusses career opportunities within the field of aging.
  •  Each chapter includes a comprehensive summary of the material, a set of discussion questions that encourages students to use the information in the text, and a glossary of terms.  I’ve designed this material to help students review what they’ve learned and to test their knowledge.  I’ve also included suggested further reading for each topic. 
  • The author is a sociologist at San Jose State who has written and taught extensively in the area of sociology of aging.

* All chapters conclude with "Summary", "Discussion Questions", "Suggested Reading", and Glossary of Terms" sections.

Preface.

 

1. Aging Today.

Introduction.

Why Study Aging?

Ageism.

Sources 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.

Responses to Ageism.

The Media.

The Senior Market: A New Image of Aging.

The Ageless Self:  Another Form of Ageism.

Education Programs.

Intergenerational Programs.

Legislation and Social Action.

Aging Today.

Conclusion.

2. Theories and Methods.

Introduction.

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.

Interactionist Perspective.

Critique of the Interactionist Perspective.

Functionalist Perspective.

Age Stratification Theory: An Example of the Functionalist Perspective.

Critique of the Functionalist Perspective.

Conflict Perspective.

Critique of the Conflict Perspective.

Research Issues and Methods.

Experimental Designs.

Cross-sectional Designs.

Longitudinal Designs.

Quantitative and Qualitative Methods.

The Humanities.

Ethical Issues in Research.

Research Applications.

Funding Gerontology Research.

The Future of Gerontological Theory and Methods.

Conclusion.

3. Aging at Other Times, in Other Places.

Introduction.

Four Types of Societies.

Hunting and Gathering.

Agricultural Society.

   Agricultural America in the Past.

   Inequality in Old Age in Early American.

   Society.

Modern Industrial Society.

    Industrialization.

    Urbanization.

    The Demographic Transition.

    Modernization Theory.

Postindustrial Society: The United States Today.

The Challenge of Population Aging.

The Developed Nations.

The Developing Nations.

   The Future of Aging in Developing Nations.

Conclusion.

4. Demography.

Introduction.

The Demographics of Population Aging.

Increased Numbers of Older People.

Increased Median Age of the Population.

Increased Proportion of Older People.

Measuring Trends.

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.

Interstate Migration.

Amenity Migration.

Urban-Rural Distribution.

Changes in the Sex Ratio.

The Impact of Population Aging.

Dependency Ratios.

Critique of Dependency Ratios.

Conclusion.

5. Personal Health and Well-Being.

Introduction.

Biological Aging.

Theories of Biological Aging.

Programmed Theories.

   Programmed Senescence.

   Endocrine and Immunological Theory.

 Error Theories.

    Somatic Mutation Theory.

    Crosslinking Theory.

    Free Radicals Theory.

  Other Theories.

The Effects of Aging on Body Systems.

Musculoskeletal System.

The Endocrine 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.

   Changes in Life-Style.

     Decreased Smoking.

     Better Nutrition.

     Exercise.

Compression of Morbidity Hypothesis.

Successful Aging.

Conclusion.

6. Life Span Development.

Introduction.

Memory and Intelligence.

Memory.

  Memory and Everyday Life.

Intelligence.

   Longitudinal and Cross-Sectional Methods.

New Models of Mental Ability in Later Life.

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.

     Non-normative Life Events.

     Normative, History-Graded Life Events.

     Normative, Age-Graded Life Events.

Psychological Disorders:  Abnormal Aging.

   Organic Disorders:  Cognitive Impairment in Later Life.

   Functional Disorders.

     Loneliness.

     Alcohol Abuse.

     Depression and Suicide.

Social Breakdown and Reconstruction.

Conclusion.

7. Race and Ethnicity.

Introduction.

Who Are the Minority Elderly?

Why Study Minority Aging?

Demographic Characteristics of Dominant and Minority Group Elders.

 Non-Latino Whites:  The Dominant Group.

  The Minority Older Population.

    Diversity of the Minority Population.

    The 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.

Latino Americans.

Asian Americans.

Native Americans.

Responses to Minority Group Aging.

Conclusion.

8. The Health Care System.

Introduction.

Three Models of Health Care.

The Medical Model.

The Social Model.

The Health Promotion Model.

The U.S. Health Care System.

Medicare.

Medicaid.

Medigap and Long-term Care Insurance.

The Cost of Care.

   Cost of Care and the Older Population.

      Medicare Costs.

      Medicaid Costs.

      The Rising Personal Cost of Health Care.

Public Dissatisfaction.

Structural Flaws.

Long-term Care: A Response to Older People’s Needs.

Institutional Care.

Community-Based Services.

Managed Care: Alternative Delivery Methods.

    Managed Care with a Medical Focus.

    Managed Care with a Community Focus.

Disease Prevention and Health Promotion.

Future Issues in Health Care.

Availability.

Accessibility.

Coordination.

Conclusion.

9. Finances and Economics.

Introduction.

 Historical Development of the U.S. Pension
System.

The U.S. Retirement Income System Today.

Level One: Social Security.

   Who Gets Social Security?

   Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

Level Two: Employment Pensions.

Level Three: Personal Assets and Other Income.

The Impact of the Retirement Income System on Older Peoples’ 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.

   Family Care.

   Spousal Pensions.

   Widows’ Benefits.

   Income Standards.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Reform.

   Improved Benefits.

   State Supplements.

   Higher Enrollment Rates.

Private Pension Reform.

   Vesting.

   Portability and Indexing.

   Better Plan Insurance.

The Future.

Conclusion.

10. Retirement and Work.

Introduction.

The Social Origins of Retirement.

Retirement in the United States Today.

Men and Retirement.

Women and Retirement.

Minorities and Retirement.

Alternatives to Retirement.

Early Retirement.

Partial Retirement.

Second Careers.

Personal Responses to Retirement.

   Phase 1: Preretirement.

   Phase II: The Honeymoon.

   Phase III: The Retirement Routine.

   Phase IV: Disenchantment.

   Phase V:  Termination.

Preretirement Education.

Social Structures and Retirement.

The Dual Economy.

Displaced Workers.

The Future of Retirement.

Conclusion.

11. Housing and Transportation.

Introduction.

Living Arrangements.

An Ecological Model of Housing.

Housing Options.

Single-Family Homes.

   Home Modification.

   Home Equity Conversion Loans (Reverse Mortgages).

Apartment Living.

   Age-Segregation vs. Age-Integration.

   Normal Design vs. Special Design.

Congregate Housing and Assisted Living.

Subsidized Housing.

Single Room Occupancy (SRO).

Supportive Housing.

   Board and Care Homes.

   Nursing Homes.

Elder Cottages and Accessory Apartments.

Homesharing.

Retirement Communities.

Continuing Care Retirement Communities.

The Future of Housing.

Integration of Housing and Services.

Low-Income, Rural, and Minority Housing.

Transportation.

Public Transportation.

Private Transportation.

Conclusion.

12. Leisure, Recreation, and Education.

Introduction.

Leisure.

Age and Leisure.

Gender and Leisure.

Race and Leisure.

Leisure Education.

New Activities in Old Age.

Outdoor Recreation.

Fitness, Health, and Well-Being.

   Challenges to Fitness in Later Life.

   Programs that Overcome Barriers to Active Living.

     Masters Athletes and the Senior Olympics.

Senior Centers.

Education.

Elderhostel.

Lifelong Learning Institutes (LLIs).

The Future of Education for Older People.

Community Service and Volunteer Work.

Conclusion.

13. Family Life and Social Relations.

Introduction.

Part One:  Family Life, Marriage, and Widowhood.

Marriage Demographics.

   Marital Status.

     The Advantages and Disadvantages of Marriage.

      Divorce.

      Lifelong Singlehood.

Widowhood.

   Bereavement.

   Widows and Widowers:  Coping with Loss.

    Dating and Remarriage.

Sexuality.

Physical Changes and Sexual
  Adaptations.

Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Older People.

Part Two:  Social Support.

Family Life and Family Supports.

Informal Supports for Older People.

Four Models of Informal Support.

Spousal Support.

Children and Other Relatives.

 Supports for Childless Older People.

 Friends and Neighbors.

 Siblings as a Source of Informal Support.

Minority Differences in Social Support.

Male and Female Caregivers.

Caregiver Burden.

The Rewards of Caregiving.

 Care for the Caregiver.

The Future of Informal Support.

Eldercare and the Workplace.

Older People as Family Supporters.

Grandparenting.

Grandparenting and New Family Structures.

Grandparent Visitation Rights.

Grandparents as Surrogate Parents.

Elder Abuse.

   Theories of Abuse.

Responses to Abuse.

Elder Abuse Policies.

Future Issues in Elder Abuse.

Conclusion.

14. Death and Dying.

Introduction.

Death and Society.

Death in Old Age.

Institutional Death.

Changes in the Treatment of the Dying.

Stages of Death and Dying.

The Hospice Movement.

   Hospice Program Goals.

Palliative Care.

   Palliative Care for the Elderly.

Ethical Issues.

 Advance Directives.

Euthanasia and Physician-Assisted Suicide.

Mourning and Grief.

Conclusion.

15. Politics and Policies.

Introduction.

Voting.

Participation Trends among Older Voters.

Will Older People Form a Voting Bloc?

Holding Political Office.

Advocacy.

The AARP (American Association of Retired Persons).

The Limits of Advocacy.

The Medicare Catastrophic Coverage Act (MCCA).

Activism.

Government and Aging Policy.

The Older Americans Act (OAA).

Generational Equity.

The Future of Aging, Politics, and Policy.

Conclusion.

Summary.

Discussion Questions.

Suggested Reading.

Glossary of Terms.

Gerontology Careers and You.

Introduction.

Challenges for American Society.

Age Irrelevance.

Diversity.

Generational Interdependence.

Gerontology Education.

Types of Gerontology Programs.

   University and College Programs.

   In-service Programs.

Work and Careers in Gerontology.

Finding Work in the Field of Aging.

Gerontology and You.

Works Consulted.

Index.

    Successful aging: How can we create a better old age both for ourselves and others?

     

    Issues in Aging, 2nd edition takes an optimistic view of aging and human potential in later life; it 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. 

     

    This text presents the full picture of aging- exhibiting both the problems and the opportunities and advantages that accompany older age. It aims to illustrate how generations are dependant on one another and how social conditions affect both the individual and social institutions.

  • 0205578691Issues in Aging, 2/E
    Novak
    © 2009 | Allyn & Bacon | Paper; 504 pages | Instock
    ISBN-10: 0205578691 | ISBN-13: 9780205578696
    Brief Description | Buy from myPearsonStore

"This textbook is overflowing with great material - looking through it has reminded me how much 'race/ethnicity' structures so many issues in the US."

Lori Campbell, McMaster University

 

 

"The author has created a wealth of great slides, and what a wonderful resource for instructors!"

Lori Campbell, McMaster University

Dr. Mark Novak is Associate Vice-President for International Studies and Dean of Extended Studies at San Jose State University (SJSU); a position he has held since 1996.  Also, Dr. Novak has supervised university international and professional development programs for the past 15 years both in Canada and the United States.

 

Dr. Novak received his Bachelor's degree in Sociology from Rutgers University in New Jersey and his Ph.D. degree in Sociology from York University in Toronto.  He specializes in the study of adult development, adult education, and aging. 

 

Dr. Novak has written many articles for professional journals here and abroad.  Alsom he has written several books including a general interest study entitled, Successful Aging,  Aging and Society:  A Canadian Perspective, 5th ed, the best-selling gerontology text in Canada,and Aging and Society: A Reader.

 

 

Issues in Aging presents facts and information about aging today. It covers the issues that most older people and their families will face, and it deals with issues that an aging society will raise for all of us. Whether you are older yourself, have older parents, relatives and friends, or plan to work with older people, the information in this text will help you understand again today.

Organization
This book first looks first at large-scale social issues — social attitudes, the study of aging, and demographic issues. It then shows how these conditions affect individuals and social institutions. The book concludes with a look at political responses to aging and how individuals can create a better old age for themselves and the people they know.

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