9780130138316

This easy-to-read book addresses the growing number of problems and issues associated with the process of aging. It integrates research material with meaningful discussions of the major trends and developments in the field of gerontology--encompassing the related fields of psychology, sociology, social work, anthropology, the biological sciences, medicine, psychiatry, and economics. Chapter topics include public perception and stereotypes; historical and cross-cultural comparisons; aging in minority group members; work, leisure, and retirement patterns; death and dying; exploitation of the ages; politics in aging; and future prospects and issues. For individuals interested in the demographic revolution--and living to the age of 65 and beyond.

Preface

xiii

Part I: Introduction

Emergence and Scope of Gerontology

1

(21)

The Advent of Gerontology

1

(2)

Demographic Trends

3

(14)

Conclusion

17

(2)

Key Terms

19

(1)

Notes

19

(1)

References

19

(3)

Problems, Public Perception, and Stereotypes of Older Americans

22

(15)

The Problems of Aging

22

(5)

Public Perceptions of Older Persons

27

(4)

Misconceptions

31

(3)

Conclusion

34

(1)

Key Terms

34

(1)

Notes

35

(1)

References

35

(2)

Theoretical Perspectives on Aging

37

(29)

Theory and Research

37

(3)

Disengagement Theory

40

(3)

Activity Theory

43

(2)

Human Development Theories

45

(4)

Continuity Theory

49

(2)

Age Stratification Theory

51

(1)

Older Americans as a Minority Group

52

(1)

Aging as an Exchange

53

(2)

The Symbolic Interaction Perspective

55

(1)

Labeling Theory

56

(3)

Evaluating Theories of Aging

59

(1)

Conclusion

60

(1)

Key Terms

61

(1)

Notes

61

(1)

References

61

(5)

Historical and Cross-Cultural Comparisons of Aging

66

(26)

Introduction

66

(3)

Demographic Transition and the Aging of the World's Population

69

(3)

Modernization and Aging

72

(1)

Criticism of the Modernization Theory

73

(1)

Critical Variables Determining the Status of the Aged

74

(4)

Theoretical Views on the Changing Status of the Elderly

78

(2)

Roles and Status of the Aged in Three Cultures

80

(8)

Conclusion

88

(1)

Key Terms

89

(1)

Notes

89

(1)

References

89

(3)

Part II: The Individual and the Social System

Biological and Health Correlates of Aging

92

(30)

Introduction

92

(4)

Age-Related Changes in Human Physiology

96

(1)

Major Causes of Illness and Death in Old Age

97

(3)

Biological Theories of Aging

100

(5)

Psychological and Sociological Aspects of Illness

105

(5)

Holistic Health Care

110

(3)

Exercise and Aging

113

(3)

Conclusion

116

(2)

Key Terms

118

(1)

Notes

118

(1)

References

119

(3)

Psychological Changes in Later Life

122

(27)

Introduction

122

(1)

Psychological and Performance Changes

123

(4)

Personality

127

(2)

Stability and Change in Personality

129

(4)

Self-Esteem

133

(1)

Adjustment to Aging

134

(2)

Stress

136

(8)

Conclusion

144

(1)

Key Terms

144

(1)

Notes

145

(1)

References

145

(4)

Age Norms, Age Constraints, and Adult Socialization

149

(19)

Life Space

151

(1)

Role

152

(3)

Age Synchronization

155

(3)

Normative Constraints

158

(1)

Attitudes toward Old Age

159

(1)

Social Class and Adjustment to Old Age

160

(2)

Age, Gender, and Longevity

162

(2)

Conclusion

164

(1)

Key Terms

165

(1)

Notes

165

(1)

References

166

(2)

Aging Minority Group Members

168

(23)

Demographic Characteristics

170

(7)

Social Aspects of Aging

177

(2)

Service Needs

179

(2)

Subcultural and Value Disparities between the Dominant Group and Minority Groups

181

(2)

The Asian American

183

(2)

Native Americans

185

(1)

Conclusion

186

(1)

Key Terms

187

(1)

Notes

187

(1)

References

188

(3)

Part III: Adjustment Patterns and Changing Lifestyles in Old Age

Family Patterns in Later Life

191

(28)

Changing Roles and the Aging Family

192

(2)

Husband-Wife Relations

194

(7)

Intergenerational Relations

201

(3)

Grandparenthood

204

(2)

Widowhood

206

(3)

Alternative Lifestyles

209

(2)

Second Marriages

211

(2)

Conclusion

213

(1)

Key Terms

214

(1)

Notes

215

(1)

References

215

(4)

Work, Leisure, and Retirement Patterns

219

(25)

Introduction

219

(1)

Work

220

(5)

Free Time

225

(1)

Leisure

226

(4)

Retirement

230

(9)

Conclusion

239

(1)

Key Terms

240

(1)

Notes

240

(1)

References

241

(3)

Living Environments in Later Life

244

(26)

Residential Segregation of the Aged

246

(4)

Design and Environmental Factors in Senior Housing

250

(4)

Housing and Community Choices of Older Americans

254

(3)

Housing Costs

257

(1)

Sociability

258

(2)

Institutionalization

260

(3)

The Eden Alternative

263

(1)

Conclusion

264

(1)

Key Terms

265

(1)

Notes

265

(2)

References

267

(3)

Death and Dying

270

(26)

The Impact of Death on Society

271

(2)

Attitudes toward Death

273

(5)

The Meaning of Death

278

(2)

Critical Questions about Death

280

(7)

Adjustments to Dying

287

(3)

Grief

290

(1)

Conclusion

291

(1)

Key Terms

292

(1)

Notes

292

(1)

References

293

(3)

Part IV: Societal Issues Confronting Older Americans

The Economics of Aging

296

(16)

Economic Needs of Older Americans

296

(1)

Income

297

(3)

Poverty

300

(2)

Sources of Income

302

(5)

Effects of Inflation

307

(2)

Conclusion

309

(1)

Key Terms

310

(1)

Notes

310

(1)

References

310

(2)

Exploitation of the Aged: Crimes, Confidence Games, and Frauds

312

(16)

Fear of Crime

312

(1)

Victimization by Crime

313

(4)

The Older Person's Response to Victimization

317

(1)

Confidence Games and Frauds

318

(3)

Abuse of the Elderly

321

(2)

Conclusion

323

(2)

Key Terms

325

(1)

Notes

325

(1)

References

326

(2)

Politics of Aging

328

(15)

Political Participation

329

(6)

Intergenerational Conflict or Consensus

335

(2)

Status Inconsistency

337

(2)

Age and Political Conservatism

339

(1)

Conclusion

339

(1)

Key Terms

340

(1)

Notes

340

(1)

References

341

(2)

Social Services for Older Americans

343

(20)

Social Services for Older Americans

343

(14)

Future Directions of Service Programs for the Aged

357

(3)

Conclusion

360

(1)

Key Terms

361

(1)

Notes

361

(1)

References

362

(1)

Religion and Aging

363

(17)

Introduction

363

(2)

Church Attendance

365

(1)

Belief in God

366

(1)

Belief in Immortality

367

(1)

Orthodox Religion

368

(2)

Religious Ritualism and Private Devotionalism

370

(1)

Religiosity and Life Satisfaction

371

(2)

The Role of the Aged in the Church

373

(2)

Conclusion

375

(1)

Key Terms

376

(1)

Notes

377

(1)

References

377

(3)

Aging and the Aged: Future Prospects and Issues

380

(15)

Gerontology: The Future of the Discipline

381

(1)

Theories of Aging

382

(2)

Health

384

(1)

Retirement Income

385

(2)

Family

387

(2)

Residential Location

389

(1)

Postindustrial Society

389

(1)

Values

390

(1)

Work and Leisure

391

(1)

Power

391

(1)

Death

392

(1)

Government Services

392

(1)

Conclusion

393

(1)

Key Terms

393

(1)

Notes

393

(1)

References

394

(1)

Index

395

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Preface The demographic revolution in modern industrial nations seems to have occurred because of a decline in the crude birthrate combined with an improved medical technology's capacity to save and prolong life. The result, in all of the industrially developed nations, has been the same--growing number and percentage of the population living to age 65 and beyond. Moreover, Donald Cowgill is projecting an ever-increasing expansion of the older population in the underdeveloped nations as well. l Barring unforeseen demographic changes in the near future, the number of older persons in Western Europe and the United States will continue to grow and constitute an ever larger percentage of the population. The elderly in the United States have grown from approximately 3 million in 1900, composing less than 4 percent of the population, to 31.1 million in 1992, approximately 12.5 percent of the population. This shift in the age composition of the American population has resulted in a growing public awareness of the problems, potentials, and realities of aging. Persons in their middle years now almost uniformly expect to live to retirement age and beyond. There is widespread interest in the quality of life of older Americans, expressed both by those approaching retirement and those already there. This widespread interest and concern about the lives of older Americans has produced innumerable articles and editorials from the popular press, increased interest and research by the scientific community, and the implementation of numerous government-sponsored service delivery programs for older Americans. This book attempts to integrate material from this proliferating body of research and writing into a meaningful discussion of the major trends and developments in the field we call gerontology. Reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of the subject, the book includes material from psychology, sociology, social work, anthropology, the biological sciences, medicine, and psychiatry. I have attempted to favor neither the medical model, which sees old age as a process of deterioration, disease, and progressive decline, nor the more recent and popular human development model, which sees old age as a period of further growth, development, and new experiences. While the later years are a further development of the individual's life history and offer opportunities for growth and new experiences, ultimately all people suffer certain health losses, and they die. Thus, I have tried to present the later phase of the life cycle as realistically as possible. The interdisciplinary nature of the gerontology tends to make texts on this subject eclectic. But in this book--written from a social science perspective--I utilize a symbolic interaction frame of reference. In this way the reader is provided with a single theoretical approach to the behavioral aspects of aging. Writing a text, much like teaching a class, involves synthesizing and organizing a variety of materials into an understandable, interesting, and challenging presentation of the facts. In the case of the textbook, the product should be interesting, understandable, intellectually challenging, and applicable to one's own life. Only you, the reader, can judge whether I have met these standards. I hope that I have. In any event, in writing a text an author inevitably learns much more than any future reader of it. His or her attempts to synthesize, organize, and present the material inevitably begin with a clear understanding of it. Thus, I have already gained much in writing this book; I have increased my knowledge of, sensitivity to, and comprehension of the realities of later life. In order to make this textbook more user-friendly for teachers using the book in their classes, a test manual is available with questions covering each chapter. In addition, if anyone has any questions about the book, test manual, or materials includ

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Later Life: The Realities of Aging

Later Life: The Realities of Aging

0130138312

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