| Preface | p. xi |
| Social Aspects of Gerontology | p. 1 |
| An Aging Population | p. 3 |
| Introduction | p. 3 |
| Changing Visions and Values | p. 5 |
| Changing Numbers | p. 8 |
| Gradual Change | p. 9 |
| Migration | p. 16 |
| Longevity | p. 22 |
| Life Span and Life Expectancy | p. 28 |
| Mortality | p. 34 |
| Conclusion | p. 38 |
| Questions for Discussion | p. 39 |
| Sources of Further Information | p. 39 |
| The Social World of Older People | p. 43 |
| Attitudes, Norms, and Socialization | p. 44 |
| Role Loss | p. 50 |
| Theories of Socialization in Old Age | p. 53 |
| Role Transitions | p. 58 |
| Questions for Discussion | p. 59 |
| Sources of Further Information | p. 60 |
| Older People and Their Families | p. 63 |
| Introduction | p. 63 |
| Families and History | p. 64 |
| Family Status and Living Arrangements | p. 69 |
| Gay and Lesbian Aged | p. 71 |
| The Need for Intimacy | p. 73 |
| Relationships with Adult Children | p. 76 |
| The Sandwich Generation | p. 81 |
| Grandparenting | p. 84 |
| Conclusion | p. 87 |
| Questions for Discussion | p. 88 |
| Minorities and Cultural Diversity | p. 89 |
| Introduction | p. 89 |
| Minorities Defined | p. 90 |
| Gender Issues | p. 92 |
| Race and Ethnicity | p. 96 |
| African-American Elderly | p. 98 |
| Hispanic Elderly | p. 106 |
| Native American Elderly | p. 110 |
| Asian-American Elderly | p. 112 |
| Conclusion | p. 118 |
| Questions for Discussion | p. 119 |
| Sources of Further Information | p. 120 |
| Physical and Psychological Aspects of Gerontology | p. 121 |
| The Aging Body | p. 123 |
| Introduction | p. 123 |
| Physical Theories of Aging | p. 125 |
| Biological Theories of Aging | p. 130 |
| Conclusion | p. 140 |
| Questions for Discussion | p. 141 |
| Sources of Further Information | p. 141 |
| Psychological Development | p. 145 |
| Introduction | p. 145 |
| Perceptions of Aging | p. 146 |
| Growth and Development Across the Life Span | p. 152 |
| Well-Being, Meaning, and Reminiscence | p. 156 |
| Coping and Adaptation | p. 161 |
| Learning and Memory | p. 165 |
| Conclusion | p. 169 |
| Questions for Discussion | p. 169 |
| Health and Illness in Later Life | p. 171 |
| Introduction | p. 171 |
| Morbidity and Mortality | p. 172 |
| Causes of Death | p. 175 |
| Mortality and Chronicity | p. 178 |
| Functional Ability | p. 190 |
| Conclusion | p. 195 |
| Questions for Discussion | p. 197 |
| Sources of Further Information | p. 197 |
| Aging and Mental Health | p. 201 |
| Introduction | p. 202 |
| Cognitive Impairment in Later Life | p. 203 |
| Two Cases | p. 204 |
| Epidemiology of Mental Disorders in Later Life | p. 207 |
| Affective and Mood Disorders | p. 213 |
| Paranoia and Schizophrenia | p. 219 |
| Organic Mental Disorders, Delirium, and Dementia | p. 225 |
| The Developmentally Disabled Elderly | p. 233 |
| The Social World of the Disabled | p. 237 |
| Service Goals | p. 241 |
| Care Issues | p. 244 |
| Conclusion | p. 249 |
| Questions for Discussion | p. 251 |
| Sources of Further Information | p. 251 |
| Older People and the Health Care System | p. 255 |
| Introduction | p. 255 |
| Acute Medical Care | p. 256 |
| Long-Term Care | p. 260 |
| Nursing Home Problems | p. 269 |
| Conclusion | p. 273 |
| Questions for Discussion | p. 274 |
| Sources of Further Information | p. 274 |
| The End of Life | p. 277 |
| Introduction | p. 277 |
| On the Nature of Death | p. 278 |
| On the Nature of Dying | p. 282 |
| Bereavement and Widowhood | p. 285 |
| Suicide | p. 289 |
| Advocacy and Professional Roles | p. 293 |
| Conclusion | p. 301 |
| Questions for Discussion | p. 302 |
| Sources of Further Information | p. 302 |
| Societal Issues and Responses | p. 305 |
| Economics, Work, and Retirement | p. 307 |
| Introduction | p. 307 |
| Work and Role Identity | p. 308 |
| Work and Retirement | p. 310 |
| Myths and Realities About Older Workers | p. 312 |
| Retirement and Preparation for Retirement | p. 317 |
| Pensions and Retirement Incomes | p. 321 |
| Retirement Environments | p. 325 |
| Conclusions | p. 327 |
| Questions for Discussion | p. 329 |
| Sources of Further Information | p. 329 |
| Abuse and Neglect | p. 331 |
| Introduction | p. 331 |
| The Prevalence of Elder Abuse and Neglect | p. 333 |
| Material Abuse | p. 337 |
| Self-Neglect and the Social Context of Abuse | p. 339 |
| Crime and the Elderly | p. 345 |
| Conclusion | p. 347 |
| Questions for Discussion | p. 348 |
| Sources of Further Information | p. 349 |
| Older People and the Political World | p. 351 |
| Introduction | p. 351 |
| The Older Voter | p. 353 |
| Interest Groups | p. 356 |
| Generational Equity | p. 361 |
| Conclusion | p. 363 |
| Questions for Discussion | p. 364 |
| Sources of Further Information | p. 364 |
| Programs and Services | p. 369 |
| Introduction | p. 369 |
| The Idea of Services | p. 372 |
| Social Security | p. 377 |
| Medicare | p. 381 |
| The Aging Network | p. 382 |
| Community-Based Services | p. 385 |
| Conclusions and Some Thoughts on the Future | p. 394 |
| Questions for Discussion | p. 396 |
| Sources of Further Information | p. 396 |
| Glossary | p. 401 |
| References | p. 409 |
| Author Index | p. 441 |
| Subject Index | p. 453 |
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