Americans are living longer, and the elder population is growing larger. To meet the ongoing need for quality information on elder health, the Encyclopedia of Aging and Public Health combines multiple perspectives to offer readers a more accurate and complete picture of the aging process. The book takes a biopsychosocial approach to the complexities of its subject. In-depth introductory chapters include coverage on a historical and demographic overview of aging in America, a guide to biological changes accompanying aging, an analysis of the diversity of the U.S. elder population, legal issues commonly affecting older adults, and the ethics of using cognitively impaired elders in research. From there, over 425 entries cover the gamut of topics, trends, diseases, and phenomena: -Specific populations, including ethnic minorities, custodial grandparents, and centenarians -Core medical conditions associated with aging, from cardiac and pulmonary diseases to Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s -Mental and emotional disorders -Drugs/vitamins/alternative medicine -Disorders of the eyes, feet, and skin -Insomnia and sleep disorders; malnutrition and eating disorders -Sexual and gender-related concerns -And a broad array of social and political issues, including access to care, abuse/neglect, veterans’ affairs, and assisted suicide Entries on not-quite-elders’ concerns (e.g., midlife crisis, menopause) are featured as well. And all chapters and entries include references and resource lists. The Encyclopedia has been developed for maximum utility to clinicians, social workers, researchers, and public health professionals working with older adults. Its multidisciplinary coverage and scope of topics make this volume an invaluable reference for academic and public libraries.

This eight-volume encyclopedia brings together a comprehensive collection of work highlighting established research and emerging science in all relevant disciplines in gerontology and population aging. It covers the breadth of the field, gives readers access to all major sub-fields, and illustrates their interconnectedness with other disciplines. With more than 1300 cross-disciplinary contributors—including anthropologists, biologists, economists, psychiatrists, public policy experts, sociologists, and others—the encyclopedia delves deep into key areas of gerontology and population aging such as ageism, biodemography, disablement, longevity, long-term care, and much more. Paying careful attention to empirical research and literature from around the globe, the encyclopedia is of interest to a wide audience that includes researchers, teachers and students, policy makers, (non)governmental agencies, public health practitioners, business planners, and many other individuals and organizations.

"The Encyclopedia of Aging and Health is both a comprehensive reference of best practices across gerontology-related fields and a philosophical work that inspires its readers to embrace a loftier and more global view of aging beyond disability and medications." —Gerontologist As an ever increasing percentage of the population of western societies enters "old age," health issues grow in importance in terms of the well-being of this population, economic impact within the health-care system, impacts on families and family relationships, and so many other ways. The Encyclopedia of Health and Aging presents state-of-the-art research and ready-to-use facts on health and aging. This one-volume resource captures some of the excitement of the research in the field in terms of new findings as well as conceptual developments guiding research, practice, and policy. With more than 200 entries, it covers the biological, psychological, social, and economic aspects of health and aging and impacts within the health-care system. This Encyclopedia also focuses heavily on geriatrics with respect to geriatric syndromes and common diseases of aging. Key Features Addresses a full spectrum of topics, including acute illness, Alzheimer′s disease, bereavement, economic dependency, health-care costs, health promotion, hospice care, long-term care, medications, nursing homes, optimal aging, public policy, quality of life, spousal care-giving, widowhood, and much more Discusses landmark studies such as (Duke Longitudinal Studies, the Established Populations for the Epidemiological Study of the Elderly, Health and Retirement Study, and the National Long Term Care Survey) as well as important programs (Social Security, Meals on Wheels, and Medicaid/Medicare, etc.) Offers cross-disciplinary coverage with contributions from the fields of gerontology, epidemiology, health psychology, biology, sociology, health and medicine, and public policy Provides health and aging issues from around the world including Mexico, Canada, Latin America, Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and New Zealand Includes a list of 45 online resources on health and aging Key Themes: Aging and the Brain Diseases and Medical Conditions Drug Related Issues Function and Syndromes Mental Health and Psychology Nutritional Issues Physical Status Prevention and Health Behaviors Sociodemographic and Cultural Issues Studies of Aging and Systems of Care The Encyclopedia of Health and Aging is a must-have reference for any academic, as it appeals to a broad audience such as scholars within programs of gerontology and health, graduate students, members of the media, policy makers and health-care advocates, and the general reader.

A COMPREHENSIVE RESOURCE ON GERONTOLOGY AND GERIATRICS Since its inception in 1987, The Encyclopedia of Aging has proven to be the definitive resource for scholars and students across the burgeoning and increasingly interdisciplinary fields of gerontology and geriatrics. Like its three esteemed predecessors, the fourth edition contains concise, readable explorations of hundreds of terms, concepts, and issues related to the lives of older adults, as well as timely coverage of the many new programs and services for the elderly. Updated, under the distinguished stewardship of editor-in-chief Richard Schulz to reflect the infusion of new information across the scientific disciplines, this new edition brings readers up-to-the-moment significant advances in biology, physiology, genetics, medicine, psychology, nursing, social services, sociology, economics, technology, and political science. While retaining the format and standard of excellence that marked the first three editions, the fourth edition encompasses a wealth of new information from the social and health sciences. It contains the most current bibliography of an expanding literature, an exhaustive index, and extensive cross references. This much anticipated update of the field's most authoritative resource will take its place as an indispensable reference for specialists and non-specialists across a broad range of disciplines that now comprise the field of aging. SPRINGER--SERVING THE HEALTHCARE AND HELPING PROFESSIONS FOR MORE THAN 55 YEARS

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