This comprehensive text focuses on the social contexts of ageing, looking at the diversity of ageing and older people, and at different factors that are important to experiences of old age and ageing. It includes key chapters on: theoretical and methodological bases for the study of ageing demographic context of the 'ageing' population health and illness family and social networks formal and informal care and other services for older people. Providing an invaluable introduction to the major issues involved in the study of ageing, this book is essential reading for students of sociology, gerontology, social policy, health and social care, and professionals working with older people.

NEW edition! More than any other social gerontology texts available, addresses issues of diversity in aging by race, ethnicity, social class, and gender throughout.

Aims to provide the student with a grounding in all issues related to a better understanding of older people in their social environment. The text includes chapters on methodological aspects of the study of ageing; historical and cultural perspectives on ageing; and the demography of ageing.

Drawing on a wide range of sources, this text analyses the social nature of later life in the context of the history of welfare states, the emergence of consumer society and across the lifecourse.

Mirroring a worldwide phenomenon in industrialized nations, the U.S. is experiencing a change in its demographic structure known as population aging. Concern about the aging population tends to focus on the adequacy of Medicare and Social Security, retirement of older Americans, and the need to identify policies, programs, and strategies that address the health and safety needs of older workers. Older workers differ from their younger counterparts in a variety of physical, psychological, and social factors. Evaluating the extent, causes, and effects of these factors and improving the research and data systems necessary to address the health and safety needs of older workers may significantly impact both their ability to remain in the workforce and their well being in retirement. Health and Safety Needs of Older Workers provides an image of what is currently known about the health and safety needs of older workers and the research needed to encourage social polices that guarantee older workers a meaningful share of the nation's work opportunities.

Part One: SETTING THE STAGE. 1. The Scope of Social Gerontology. What is Gerontology? What is Human Aging? Defining the Aging and the Older Populations. Social Gerontology is a Unique Field of Study. Social Policy Issues. Professional Practice. Careers in the Field of Aging. Summary. 2. The Demography of Aging. Measuring Age Structure. Growth of the older Population. Composition of the Older Population. Geographic Distribution of the Older Population. Living Arrangements. Population Processes and the Older Population. Summary. 3. The History of Aging in America. Modernization Theory. Aging in Colonial America. From the Revolution to the Civil War, The Beginning of Industrialization. Civil War to 1900. 19 00 to 1929. The Great Depression. 1942 to 1965. 1965 to 1980. The 1980's. Modernization. Theory Revisited. Summary. Part Two: BASIC ASPECTS OF INDIVIDUAL AGING. 4. Physical Aging. Why We Grow Older. Physical Consequences of Aging. Summary. 5. Psychological Aspects of Aging. Aging and Specific Psychological Functions. Adult Development: Personality, Self , and Life Structure. Mental Disorders. Summary. 6. Social Aspects of Individual Aging. Defining Social Aging, Social Roles. The Cultural Life Course. Socialization and Acculturation. Role Anticipation and Adaptation. Social Factors in Individual Development. Aging and Changes in Social Context. Lifestyles. Summary. 7. Personal Adaptation to Aging. What is Adaptation? General Ways to Adapt. Specific Adaptations. Escape Rather Than Adaptation. Effective Adaptation. Summary. Part Three: AGING IN DOMAINS OF EVERYDAY LIFE. 8. Family, Friends, and Social Support. Types of Bonding. Family. Friends. Social Support. Summary. 9. Employment and Retirement. Midlife Career Changes. Employment Problems of Older Workers. Bridges to Retirement. Retirement. The Retirement Process. Effects of Retirements on Individuals. Summary. 10. Activities and Lifestyles. Concepts About Activities. Activities in Middle Adulthood. Aging and Changes in Activities. Spheres of Activity. What Activities are Desirable for Older People? Summary. 11. Religion and Spirituality. Concepts and Language. Organized Religion. Attending Religious Services. Informal Religious Behavior. Subjective Elements of Religion and Spirituality. Conceptions for Spiritual Development. Effects of Religion and Spirituality. Research Issues. Summary. 12. Dying, Death, Bereavement, and Widowhood. Defining Death. Dealing with Dying. Bereavement. Death of a Spouse. Summary. Part Four: AGING AFFECTS NEEDS AND RESOURCES. 13. Income and Housing. Income. Housing. Summary. 14. Health and Long-Term Care. Health Care, Health Care Needs. Long-Term Care, Regulation of Health and Long-Term Care. Summary. 15. Community Social Services. Community Facilities That Serve Older People. Services. The Organization and Financing of Social Services. Summary. Part Five: AGING AND SOCIETY. 16. Aging in Contemporary America Society and Culture. The Nature of Society and Culture. Ideas About Aging. Language. Age Prejudice an d Discrimination. Societal Disengagement. Age Stratification. Ethics. Law, and Aging. Summary. 17. Social Inequality. Social Class. Dimensions of Disadvantage. Race. Ethnicity. Gender. Multiple Jeopardy. Summary. 18. The Economy. Economic Ideology. Economic Structure. The Economic Functions of Retirement. The Economics of Retirement Income. Retirement Income in the Future. Private Enterprise and the Aging Problem. Aging People as Consumers. Economic Exploitation of Elders. Summary. 19. Politics and Government. Overview. Political Activity. Political Influence. Government Response to Issues Concerning Aging. Making Policy. Summary. 20. Epilogue: Aging and the Future. Directions of Social Change. Demographic clues to the future. The Future of Psychological Aging. The Future of Social Aging. Society's Futures Response. The Future of Social Gerontology. Summary. Glossary. Bibliography. Index.

This book discusses the intersections between culture, context, and aging. It adopts a socio-cultural lens and highlights emotional, social, and psychological issues of the older adults in urban India. It is set in multiple sites such as Ahmedabad, Delhi, Kolkata, and Saskatoon to indicate how different cultural practices and contextual factors play an integral role in determining the course of aging. It also focuses on different narratives such as older adults living with adult children, older adults living with spouse, and older adults living alone to demonstrate the intricate process of growing old. Drawing from various sites and living arrangements of older adults, it sheds light on cultural constructions of growing old, ideas of belonging, the inevitability of death, everyday processes of aging, perceptions associated with growing old in India, acceptance of the aging body, and intergenerational ties in later lives. Given its scope, the book is essential reading for students and researchers in the fields of sociology, demography, and social scientists studying aging.