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When we ponder about whether it is time to finish a degree, start a family, or retire, we often draw on age to make an assessment: When are we too young, or too old, to do something – and what age is the right one? Age, thereby, is a central social category for Western societies: more than gender, ethnicity or social status age affects our social position, networks, lifestyles and aspirations.By asking what childhood and ageing research can learn from each other, this edited volume brings both fields into a fruitful dialogue. It touches upon topics like theories and method(olog)ies, space and time, health and care, technologies and digitalization, play, work and consumption, as well as violence, well-being and childrens'and older peoples'rights.This volume will appeal to scholars and students interested in childhood studies and ageing studies/gerontology located in a range of disciplines, from sociology to social work, social and cultural anthropology, educational sciences, human geography, architecture, urban planning, architecture, health and disability studies, nursing studies, political sciences and law.

An in-depth and wide-ranging approach to the study of older adults in society Taking a holistic approach to the study of aging, this volume uses biological, archaeological, medical, and cultural perspectives to explore how older adults have functioned in societies around the globe and throughout human history. As the world's population over 65 years of age continues to increase, this wide-ranging approach fills a growing need for both academics and service professionals in gerontology, geriatrics, and related fields.Case studies from the United States, Tibet, Turkey, China, Nigeria, and Mexico provide examples of the ways age-related changes are influenced by environmental, genetic, sociocultural, and political-economic variables. Taken together, they help explain how the experience of aging varies across time and space. These contributions from noted anthropological scholars examine evolutionary and biological understandings of human aging, the roles of elders in various societies, issues of gender and ageism, and the role of chronic illness and “successful aging” among older adults.This volume highlights how an anthropology of aging can illustrate how older adults adapt to shifting life circumstances and environments, including changes to the ways in which individuals and families care for them. The research in Anthropological Perspectives on Aging can also help researchers, students, and practitioners reach across disciplines to address age discrimination and help improve health outcomes throughout the life course.

The Open Access version of this book, available at www.taylorfrancis.com, has been made available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivatives 4.0 license.This volume presents a range of research approaches to the exploration of ageing during a pandemic situation. One of the first collections of its kind, it offers an array of studies employing research methodologies that lend themselves to replication in similar contexts by those seeking to understand the effects of epidemics on older people. Thematically organised, it shows how to reconcile qualitative and quantitative approaches, thus rendering them complementary, bringing together studies from around the world to offer an international perspective on ageing as it relates to an unprecedented epidemiological phenomenon. As such, it will appeal to researchers in the field of gerontology, as well as sociologists of medicine and clinicians seeking to understand the disruptive effects of the recent coronavirus outbreak on later life.

Reflects the most important theoretical foundations and research directions concerning aging and older adulthood This authoritative volume provides the latest insights into, and theoretical interpretation of, our understanding of the human aging process. Newly updated and revised, this edition of the well-established student textbook offers relatable scenarios that touch upon real-world issues faced by older adults and their families. The book explains how research studies attempt to answer questions of both theoretical and practical importance as they relate to aging and older adulthood, and it explains the hypotheses and findings of the studies in a manner that is comprehensible to readers of all levels of research experience. Aging and Older Adulthood begins by describing the demographic characteristics of the older population, and follows with a chapter on theoretical models that apply to the study of adult development and aging, as well as approaches commonly taken to conduct research and ethical concerns involved in the study of this group. It then offers a series of chapters exploring biological aging, sensation perception and attention, memory, intellectual functioning, cognition and real-world problem-solving, personality and coping, social interaction and social ties, lifestyles and retirement, mental health and psychotherapy, and death and bereavement. The final chapter looks at aging in the future. Each chapter includes fully updated research findings, as well as new and expanded coverage of concepts and ideas in areas such as neuroscience, and diabetes. New edition of a highly respected text exploring our contemporary understanding of a broad range of topics related to older adulthood and the psychology of aging Offers thematic treatment of core issues including health, sensory perception, memory, intellect, social interactions, employment and retirement, and mental health Uses a dual lens of two models – the selective optimization with compensation model and the ecological model – to provide cohesiveness to the presentation of both theoretical and applied material Introduces each chapter with a relevant real-world scenario and refers back to it throughout the chapter Includes pedagogical feature boxes that reflect current understanding of contemporary issues in the field as well as key points and issues for further discussion Aging and Older Adulthood, 4th Edition is an excellent text for upper division undergraduate and graduate courses focusing on the older adulthood and aging, the psychology of aging, gerontological studies, and lifespan development.

In this timely collection, contributors from a number of disciplines discuss neoliberal visions of success, and the subsequent effects they have on the construction of the lifecycle. Frequently mentioned in popular political discourse, the notion of neoliberalism is often deployed as shorthand for the consensus that austerity is necessary and the hard-working individual can survive it. This volume unpicks and interrogates the term by engaging with the interface between the political ubiquity of neoliberal forms and its lived experience in neoliberal societies, cutting across a multiplicity of factors including gender, age, and access to education. Impressive in its wide scope and analysis, Interrogating the Neoliberal Lifecycle presents an informed discussion not only of the limits of the neoliberal paradigm but also of possible alternatives.

Das vorliegende Open Access-Buch stellt einen wesentlichen Beitrag zur längsschnittlichen Sozialberichterstattung zum Thema Altern und Geschlecht und zur sozial- und verhaltenswissenschaftlichen Alternsforschung dar. Auf Basis der Erhebungen des Deutschen Alterssurveys (DEAS) von 1996 bis 2017 werden Veränderungen in zentralen Lebensbereichen über eine größere Altersspanne analysiert. Der Deutsche Alterssurvey ist eine bevölkerungsrepräsentative Längsschnittstudie mit Frauen und Männern, die 40 Jahre und älter sind. Er wird vom Bundesministerium für Familie, Senioren, Frauen und Jugend (BMFSFJ) finanziert und vom Deutschen Zentrum für Altersfragen (DZA) durchgeführt.Die Herausgeber: Die Herausgeberin und die Herausgeber arbeiten am Deutschen Zentrum für Altersfragen (DZA), einem auf dem Gebiet der sozial- und verhaltenswissenschaftlichen Gerontologie tätigen Forschungsinstitut. Dr. Claudia Vogel ist Soziologin und Leiterin des Deutschen Alterssurveys (DEAS). Dr. Markus Wettstein ist Psychologe und stellvertretender Leiter des Deutschen Alterssurveys (DEAS). Prof. Dr. Clemens Tesch-Römer ist Psychologe und Leiter des Deutschen Zentrums für Altersfragen (DZA).

This book provides a timely overview of the impacts of digitalization from the perspective of everyday life, and argues that one central issue in digitalization is the development of new types of services that digitalization enables, but which are often overlooked due to the focus on new technologies and devices. The book summarizes the past 20 years of research into the relationship between information and communications technology (ICT) and service innovation, and reveals that the ongoing digitalization is a qualitatively different phenomenon and represents a true paradigm shift.The all-encompassing integration and distribution of data raises critical issues such as preserving human dignity and individual autonomy; moreover, interaction practices that foster broad participation, trust, learning, and a willingness to share knowledge are called for. Citizen empowerment and multi-actor co-creation have become central to using digitalization to support thedevelopment of wellbeing and sustainability.Further, the book shows how employees and professionals can and should be involved in designing their future work, and in evaluating it. Proactiveness and participation in innovation endeavours are ways to guarantee meaningful work in an age of socio-technical transition.The book employs a variety of theoretical approaches and perspectives from diverse disciplines to illustrate these needs. In addition to theoretical analyses, some specific application areas are examined, e.g. services in health and social care, and problems linked to robots in elderly care. Given its scope, the book is highly recommended to all readers seeking an overview of the current understanding of the human side of digitalization and searching for concrete cases from different countries to illustrate the topic.

This book compares the wellbeing of older Russian adults in the EU, USA, China, Japan, and Russia. Through providing a general overview of population ageing, social, economic and IT-literacy among older Russian adults, it fills the gap in quality of life research in developing and transition societies. The topic is revealed in the context of the modern elderly's changing identity, their life plans, and intergenerational relations. The connection between ageism and sexism are identified and interpreted, thereby using comparative materials on different countries. The book discusses the issue of educating the elderly in a new direction—namely, the use of ICTs. It also presents the result of studies on pension reform discussions over social networks, which illuminate the social response to the political, social, and economic agenda. As such this book will be a valuable read to researchers specialized in aging, gender studies, quality of life studies, Russian studies, ICT adoptionstudies, and to those studying the social transformation of Russia, Eastern Europe, the BRICS countries, which face similar problems with aging.

Using both epidemiological and model organism approaches, we have gained new insights into the physiological and molecular aspects of aging, which has led to significant advancements in potential anti-aging strategies. Reviews on Biomarker Studies in Aging and Anti-Aging Research presents a series of reviews in various aspects of aging and age-related disease research along with several methods which have shown progress as potential anti-aging approaches. The book is aimed at researchers in the areas of aging and chronic disease, as well as to clinical scientists, physicians and major drug companies. It provides important information on disease mechanisms, and each chapter is presented in the context of the aging process, specific chronic diseases or different therapeutic areas.

Filled with unexpected good news about growing older, Winter's Graces highlights eleven qualities that ripen with age—including audacious authenticity, creative ingenuity, necessary fierceness, self-transcending generosity, and a growing capacity to savor life and to ride its ups and downs with humor and grace. Decades of research have established that the catastrophic conditions often associated with late life, such as severe dementia and debilitating frailty, are the exception, not the rule. Still, the mistaken idea that aging equals devastating decline persists, causing enormous and unnecessary suffering, especially for women. Drawing on decades of experience as a psychology professor and psychotherapist, Susan Stewart, PhD, weaves together inspiring folk stories that illustrate the graces of winter and recent research that validates them, along with a wealth of user-friendly tools and practices for amplifying these graces and bringing them to life. Written primarily for women over 50 seeking good news about growing older, Winter's Graces offers adults of all ages a compelling vision of aging that celebrates its many gifts, acknowledges its challenges, and reveals how the last season of life can be the most fulfilling of all.

This bibliography offers valuable annotated references on housing for older population for those interested in these initiatives and discussions. It begins with an overview piece on the state of policy, practice and research on housing for the older population in Singapore. This is followed by an annotated bibliography featuring published and unpublished work, spanning recent decades, pertaining to housing for the older population with emphasis on Singapore. It encompasses theoretical and empirical research reported in journal articles and book chapters as well as grey literature, like dissertations and theses, conference proceedings, working papers and newspaper articles. The bibliography also contains additional citations covering global studies, in particular, in Asia, North America and UK. It is hoped that this bibliographic material will serve as a useful starting reference point for discussions on housing of older people in Singapore and also for key developments in other parts of the world. The goal is to encourage additional scholarship.

This state-of-the-art handbook will keep researchers and practitioners in gerontology abreast of the newest theories and models of aging. With virtually all new contributors and content, this edition contains 35 chapters by the most highly respected luminaries in the field. 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. With its explicit focus on theory, the handbook is unique in providing essential knowledge about primary explanations for aging, spanning from cells to societies. The chapters in the third edition place a strong emphasis on the future of theory development, assessing the current state of theories and providing a roadmap for how theory can shape research, and vice versa, in years to come. Many chapters also address connections between theories and policy or practice. Each set of authors has been asked to consider how theories in their area address matters of diversity and inequalities in aging, and how theories might be revised or tested with these matters in mind. The third edition 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. Hallmarks of the Third Edition: Highlights important gains in trans-disciplinary theories of aging Emphasizes the future of theory development Provides insights on theory development from living legends in gerontology Examines what human diversity and inequality mean for aging theories Emphasizes interconnections between theory, research, intervention, and policy Underscores international issues with greater representation of international authors Includes section introductions by the editors and associate editors that summarize theoretical developments Key Features: Highlights variability and diversity in aging processes, from the cellular level of biological aging to the societal level of public policy Provides insights on theory development from living legends in gerontology Offers intergenerational, interdisciplinary, and international perspectives Disseminates a forward-thinking, future-oriented focus in theory development

This book explores the unresolved paradox at the heart of population aging, namely how to account for the fact that death rates from most non-communicable diseases rise as people age, yet aggregate death rates from such diseases have decreased overall despite an increasingly aging population. It provides a long-term historical perspective on this issue, presenting evidence that the underpinnings of modern aging extend as far back as the nineteenth century, and that aging has boosted per capita healthcare spending. The book first outlines the three eras of the Epidemiologic Transition, taking readers from its first stage where the threat of infectious diseases loom large, through the transitional stage, and on to the modern era, where non-communicable diseases are the primary cause of death. Next, the book examines the age-profiles of people whose childhoods coincide with the different stages of the Epidemiologic Transition. Using data from England and Wales, one of the few places that have recorded the data necessary for such an exploration, the book resolves the aging paradox by studying hidden generational change. It traverses historical time and identifies the distinct socio-economic and epidemiologic childhood conditions that may appear in it. It then compares, for instance, aging of children brought up in an earlier epidemiologic stage with aging of ones raised in a modern one. In the process, it explores the influence of childhood development on aging.Overall, the book has a quantitative bent, engaging the reader with analytical issues that will help develop a deeper understanding of modern aging.

Wir werden immer älter, und viele Menschen sind beim Eintritt in den Ruhestand noch fit und möchten eine Tätigkeit ausüben, die ihnen Freude bereitet und für andere Nutzen stiftet. Dietmar Goldammer klärt auf, regt an und mobilisiert. Unterschiedliche individuelle Voraussetzungen erfordern unterschiedliche Strategien für eine veränderte Lebenssituation der älteren Menschen, und der Autor informiert mit zahlreichen Beispielen darüber, wie andere diese Situation erfolgreich gelöst haben. Zuvor stellt er dar, wie man sich auf den Ruhestand vorbereiten kann, welche Möglichkeiten es gibt und worauf man achten sollte. Auf diese Weise wird deutlich, dass man auch nach der Pensionierung noch erstrebenswerte Ziele erreichen kann.

Sowohl in der Sozialen Arbeit als auch in angrenzenden Professionen ist ein wachsender Bedarf an Fachkräften zu beobachten, die für und mit älteren Menschen arbeiten. Gesucht sind Experten, die einerseits behilflich sind, Potenziale des Alters zu aktivieren, und andererseits bedarfsorientierte Unterstützungsleistungen für diejenigen gewährleisten, die externer Hilfen bedürfen. Gleichzeitig benötigen Leistungs- und Kostenträger solide Erkenntnisse, um auf anstehende gesellschaftspolitische Entwicklungen angemessen reagieren zu können. Dieser Sammelband gibt mit Beiträgen aus Forschung und Praxis Auskunft darüber, wie man dem individuellen und kollektiven Altern eine Zukunft geben kann. Die AutorInnen gewähren Einblick in relevante Studien, anhand derer man die heterogene Zielgruppe älterer Menschen besser zu verstehen lernt, und stellen nachahmenswerte Modelle in verschiedenen Handlungsfeldern vor.

This collection on researching later life and ageing critically reflects upon the qualitative methods used in gaining knowledge of under-researched groups of older people and sets out future research agendas.

Die Medien berichten regelmäßig über Selbstmordattentate im Irak, in Pakistan und Afghanistan. Eine geringere mediale Aufmerksamkeit erhalten gewaltfreie Formen des Selbstopfers wie die Selbstverbrennung und das Todesfasten. Jenseits von Spekulationen, Kulturalisierungen und Pathologisierungen nähert sich der Autor diesem keineswegs seltenen Phänomen auf empirischer Basis. Anhand einer Analyse ausgewählter Abschiedsnachrichten und Märtyrervideos wird herausgearbeitet, wer die Adressaten eines solchen Aktes sind, welche Handlungserwartungen an diese gestellt werden und unter welchen Bedingungen der eigene Tod zu einer „Medienwaffe“ werden kann.

In der Alternsforschung wurden Menschen mit Migrationshintergrund bisher weitgehend ausgeblendet und in der Migrationsforschung fanden ältere Menschen kaum Beachtung. Angesichts des zunehmenden Anteils Älterer in der Migrantenbevölkerung wird eine Verknüpfung der beiden Forschungszweige aber immer wichtiger. Das vorliegende Buch widmet sich der Auseinandersetzung mit dem Altern unter Migrationsbedingungen und der Lebensqualität älterer Migrantinnen und Migranten. Auf der Basis theoretischer Reflexionen, empirischer Befunde und politischer Überlegungen bietet der vorliegende Band erstmals einen fundierten Überblick über den aktuellen Kenntnis- und Diskussionsstand im Schnittfeld der beiden Forschungsgebiete.

The average age of the world's population is increasing at an unprecedented rate and this increase is changing the world. This “Silver tsunami” emphasizes the need to provide advanced training in epidemiology and increase the cadre of experts in the study of aging. This book is designed to summarize unique methodological issues relevant to the study of aging, biomarkers of aging and the biology/physiology of aging and in-depth discussions of the etiology and epidemiology of common geriatric syndromes and diseases. Contributing authors in the book represent many disciplines, not only epidemiology and clinical geriatrics, but also demography, health services, research, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, psychiatry, neurology, social services, musculoskeletal diseases and cancer. The aim of the book is to provide a broad multidisciplinary background for any student/researcher interested in aging. The material in the book is organized and comprehensive. It represents the most up-to-date information on the scientific issues in aging research written by academics who specialize in research and training in the broad field of aging. The structure and organization of the book reflects our course series in the Epidemiology of Aging starting with the broad issues of demography and methodology, and then addressing specific health conditions and geriatric conditions common to older persons.

Der demografische Wandel zieht tiefgreifende und existenzielle Veränderungen in nahezu allen Lebensbereichen nach sich. Erste Auswirkungen auf das Wirtschaftswachstum, den Arbeitsmarkt, die Umwelt, technische Innovationen und Entwicklungen, die sozialen Sicherungssysteme und das Konsumverhalten sind bereits spürbar.Die FOM hat mit dem 1. Wirtschaftwissenschaftlichen Forum Essen „Wirtschaftliche Implikationen des demografischen Wandels – Herausforderungen und Lösungsansätze“ eine Tagung initiiert, die zum Ziel hatte, die Auswirkungen dieser Entwicklung unter Berücksichtigung aller wirtschaftswissenschaftlichen Disziplinen zu analysieren, den fachlichen Austausch zwischen Wissenschaftlern und Praktikern anzuregen und damit aktiv den Dialog zwischen Theorie und Praxis zu fördern.Mehr als 200 Experten aus ganz Deutschland sowie hochrangige Wirtschaftsvertreter diskutierten die Folgen des demografischen Wandels – von der Personalwirtschaft über Marketing und Finanzen bis zur Gesundheit. Zu den Keynote-Speakern zählten der ehemalige Chefvolkswirt der Deutschen Bank, Prof. Dr. Norbert Walter, Dr. Jürgen R. Karsten von der Steuerberatungsgesellschaft sowie Frau Hella Hagena, Partnerin der Unternehmensberatung Rundstedt & Partner. Schirmherrin der Tagung war Prof. Dr. Annette Schavan, Bundesministerin für Bildung und Forschung.

The third edition of this essential text has been updated and expanded with new material that reflects the most recent developments in the field, and explores our current understanding of a broad range of topics related to aging and older adulthood. Fresh edition includes updated content such as revised case histories and reworked material on key concepts and research applications Retains the winning format of the second edition, with chapter contents framed by individual histories Dual models add cohesiveness to the presentation of theory Thematic structure facilitates reader comprehension Instructor resources provided online upon publication at www.wiley.com/go/erber

Kinder werden zunehmend selbst zu Informanten über ihre Lebenswelt. Dennoch fehlt weitgehend eine methodische und methodologische Auseinandersetzung mit dieser speziellen Zielgruppe. In dieser Studie wird die Durchführbarkeit telefonischer und face-to-face Leitfadeninterviews mit Kindern im Alter von 5, 7, 9 und 11 Jahren untersucht. Besonderes Augenmerk gilt den verbalen, interaktiven und kognitiven Fähigkeiten der Kinder, die wiederum Einflüsse auf die Datenqualität sowie die inhaltliche Gestaltung von Leitfadeninterviews haben. Es zeigt sich, dass – wenn auch teilweise mit eingeschränkten Erkenntnismöglichkeiten – die Befragung in beiden Interviewmodi bereits ab einem jungen Alter möglich ist. Aufbauend auf den Analysen werden praktische Hinweise für die Befragung von Kindern abgeleitet.

In 2009 jährt sich die Wiedergründung der Heidelberger Akademie der Wissenschaften zum hundertsten Mal. Aus diesem Anlass veranstaltet die Landesakademie jeweils gemeinsam mit den acht Universitäten des Landes Baden-Württemberg Tagungen oder Vortragsreihen. Das Symposium „Altern gestalten – Medizin, Technik, Umwelt“, dessen systematisch geordnete Beiträge diesen Band füllen, wird so gemeinsam mit der Universität Stuttgart und der Robert Bosch Stiftung geplant und durchgeführt. Themenfelder sind: Biologische Plastizität des Alternsprozesses, mögliche molekulare, zelluläre und biochemische Regenerationsprozesse. Auf der mikro- und makrotechnologischen Ebene werden verfügbare Assistenz- und Ersatzsysteme demonstriert, einschließlich der vielfältigen Methoden von Gelenkrekonstruktion oder –ersatz, und die Unterstützungs- und Ersatzsysteme für defekte Sinnesorgane. Die damit eröffneten Möglichkeiten, ungleiches Altern von wichtigen Funktionsträgern des Körpers auszugleichen, werden von führenden Wissenschaftlern der jeweiligen Disziplinen demonstriert. Auch das aktuelle Wissen um die altersgerechte Gestaltung der Umwelt und der Wissensstand über Assistenzsysteme im Automobil, die auch bei altersbedingten Einschränkungen von Beweglichkeit, Kraft, Sicht und Reaktionsgeschwindigkeit mehr Bedienungskomfort und Fahrsicherheit gewähren, wird vermittelt.

Updated and substantially revised, the second edition of Aging and Older Adulthood reflects the most current scientific research and theoretical foundations that contribute to our understanding of aging and older adulthood. Updated content and references include recent neurological findings on brain structure and functioning as well as factors that influence cognitive functioning, health care, decision making, and social relationships Chapter opening vignettes engage students with real world illustrations of older adults, which relate to the concepts to come Applying Research boxes offer examples of current research findings that can be applied to the everyday lives of older adults Understanding Aging boxes highlight phenomena, such as “sundown syndrome” and “end-of-life desires,” which provide a deeper insight into the aging process Integrated themes of diversity, environmental influences on aging, and applications to everyday life relate the story of aging more directly to key concepts New Chapter 13 explores what older adulthood may look like in the future and ties together the author's theoretical framework with views on positive aging Instructor's Manual with Test Bank and PowerPoint slides available online at www.wiley.com/go/erber

This book is about trying to answer questions. These questions were well introduced by Prof. Margaret Hall in the opening of her chapter in this book: “The fundamental idea of ‘law and aging'as a discrete category of legal principle and theory is controversial: how and why are ‘older adults'or ‘seniors'or ‘elders'(the very terminology is controversial and fraught with difficulties) a discrete and distinct group for whom ‘special'legal thought and treatment is justified? For some, a category of law and aging is inherently paternalistic, suggesting that older persons are, like children, especially in need of the protection of the law. In this sense, the argument continues, the category itself internalizes ageist presumptions about older adults and is therefore inherently flawed and even harmful. If certain older adults are, because of physical or mental infirmities, genuinely in need of an enhanced level of legal protection, this entitlement should be conceptualized in terms of their disability; older adults are not a distinct group but an arbitrarily delineated demographic category which contains within it any number of groups that are legitimately distinct for the purposes of legal theory (the di- bled; women; persons of colour; Aboriginal persons; rich and poor; etc.) Indeed, the arti- cial category of “older adults” may be seen as obfuscating, submerging these more meaningful distinctions.

The field of gerontology has often been criticized for being'data-rich but theory-poor.'The editors of this book address this issue by stressing the importance of theory in gerontology. While the previous edition focused on multidisciplinary approaches to aging theory, this new edition provides cross-disciplinary, integrative explanations of aging theory: The contributors of this text have reached beyond traditional disciplinary boundaries to partner with researchers in adjacent fields in studying aging and age-related phenomena.This edition of the Handbook consists of 39 chapters written by 67 internationally recognized experts in the field of aging. It is organized in seven sections, reflecting the major theoretical developments in gerontology over the past 10 years. Special Features:Comprehensive coverage of aging theory, focusing on the biological, psychological, and social aspects of agingA section dedicated to discussing how aging theory informs public policy A concluding chapter summarizing the major themes of aging, and offering predictions about the future of theory developmentRequired reading for graduate students and post doctoral fellows, this textbook represents the current status of theoretical development in the study of aging.

Zu den bevorzugten Wertvorstellungen unserer Gesellschaft zählt die Möglichkeit, sein Leben selbständig zu gestalten. Da der der Anteil der Senioren an der Gesamtbevölkerung stark wachsen wird und die Menschen in diesem Lebensabschnitt einen eigenen Haushalt führen möchten sind altersgerechte Geräte im Haushalt erforderlich, die die Selbständigkeit im häuslichen Alltag unterstützen. Dieses bedeutsame Feld wurde bislang kaum bearbeitet, vielmehr stoßen viele so genannte'seniorengerechte'Geräte auf Ablehnung, weil sie aus der Behinderten- oder Rehabilitationstechnik abgeleitet wurden. Eine stärkere Orientierung an den Bedürfnissen selbstständiger älterer Menschen in der Entwicklung von Haushaltsgeräten ist erforderlich, um nutzer- und produktbezogene Fragestellungen zu verknüpfen. Dem Buch liegt eine langjährige Forschungstätigkeit im Rahmen des von Prof. Beitz initiierten und DFG-geförderten Projekts'SENTHA - seniorengerechte Technik im häuslichen Alltag'der TU Berlin zugrunde. In einer multidisziplinären Forschergruppe arbeiteten Ingenieure, Arbeitswissenschaftler, Designer und Soziologen zusammen, um Grundlagen für neue Produkte und Dienstleistungen für Senioren zu entwickeln. Von Beginn an wurden auch Senioren in die Forschung eingebunden, die als'Senior Research Group'auch heute noch tätig sind. Bereiche der alltäglichen Lebensführung, in denen ältere Menschen Schwierigkeiten haben, wurden in dem interdisziplinären und kooperationsintensiven Forschungsprogramm der beteiligten Disziplinen erkannt und analysiert.

The authors provide a contemporary perspective on the status of qualitative research in gerontology. The second edition examines recent trends in the application of qualitative methodologies and the emergence of new qualitative techniques such as focus groups, studies of personal histories, and the use of photography. Chapters include discussions of critical and feminist perspectives, practice issues, ethical issues, and the contribution of qualitative research to the progress of science.

Aging is a process that encompasses virtually all aspects of life. Because the speed of population aging is accelerating, and because the data needed to study the aging process are complex and expensive to obtain, it is imperative that countries coordinate their research efforts to reap the most benefits from this important information. Preparing for an Aging World looks at the behavioral and socioeconomic aspects of aging, and focuses on work, retirement, and pensions; wealth and savings behavior; health and disability; intergenerational transfers; and concepts of well-being. It makes recommendations for a collection of new, cross-national data on aging populations—data that will allow nations to develop policies and programs for addressing the major shifts in population age structure now occurring. These efforts, if made internationally, would advance our understanding of the aging process around the world.

One of the world's major geriatric departments is housed in the Geneva University Hospital and has a 36-year-old history behind it. Some of its developments are set out in this book. Care programs such as geriatric concepts of care, community based support, convalescent beds, memory clinics, palliative medicine and care and practice of clinical ethics are discussed. Research has focussed on 15 years of comparative cross-sectional studies on aging in an urban and a rural area of Switzerland, prevalence of dementia in Geneva and Zurich, clinico-neuropathological correlation, fall prevention, hip fracture outcomes and the impact of nutrition on the recovery of hip fractures. Teaching activities include interactive pre-graduate teaching of geriatrics, patient-centered medicine, post ethics, teaching the teachers by the European Academy for Medicine of Aging. Networking by the Interfaculty Center of Gerontology, Swiss Foundation for Research on Healthy Aging and the WHO program on ‘Aging and Health'are in progress. This book will be of interest to geriatricians, administrators, gerontological researchers and public health managers as it gives an insight into the setting up of a geriatric team and the implementation of geriatric programs.

Americans are living longer than ever before. For many, though, these extra years have become a bitter gift, marred by dementia, disability, and loss of independence. Extending Life, Enhancing Life sets the course toward practical solutions to these problems by specifying 15 research priorities in five key areas of investigation: Basic biomedicine—To understand the fundamental processes of aging. Clinical—To intervene against common disabilities and maladies of older persons. Behavioral and social—To build on past successes with behavioral and social interventions. Health services delivery—To seek answers to the troubling issues of insufficient delivery of health care in the face of increasing health care costs. Biomedical ethics—To clarify underlying ethical guidelines about life and death decisions. Most important, the volume firmly establishes the connection between research and its beneficial results for the quality of life for older persons.