Older Women: Current and Future Challenges of Professionals with an Aging Population


Book Description

Older Women: Current and Future Challenges of Professionals With An Aging Population is about older women and the unique challenges they face now and in coming decades. Elderly women face problems that require response from multiple service providers in the social welfare, health care and legal sectors. Due to the complexity of the various issues and the multi-systemic responses required to address these problems among diverse groups, an interdisciplinary perspective in a multicultural context needs to be examined. This book is an attempt to explain the multidisciplinary facets of social work with elderly women. Readers are also introduced to the ethical issues and challenges caused by economic disparities and are also provided with guidelines on potential responses and intervention strategies to such difficulties. Readers are also introduced to the concept of cultural competence in terms of working with aged women. The integration of theory, research and practice in this book makes it a valuable resource for academicians and working professionals who are or will be in frequent contact with older adults.




Women as They Age


Book Description

Explore the needs of older women and ways to provide for them! Written by women, about women, and for women, Women As They Age, Second Edition highlights the realities of being an aging woman in a youth-oriented, male-dominated society, in which socioeconomic and gender stratification are the norm. In the eleven years since the publication of the original Women as They Age, there has been a great deal of research on the subject. This second edition is inclusive and current, providing valuable information on the needs and accomplishments of our present and future older population. Here you'll encounter women from the mainstream and minorities of all kinds, and come to a better understanding of their personal and family relationships, their sexuality, their concerns, and their feelings about death and dying. Public policies towards aging women are discussed, as are psychological and sociological perspectives. In its focus on older women, Women As They Age, Second Edition, highlights the challenges that these women present to professionals whose job it is, directly or indirectly, to provide assistance to the vast array of aging and aged women. This valuable multidisciplinary book--aimed at students, practitioners, administrators, and educators--addresses crucial issues in social work, nursing, psychology, sociology, gerontology, and economics. New subjects covered in this edition include: grandmothers raising grandchildren long-term care for aging women the current status of public policy as it pertains to older women older women's changing perspectives on sexuality new issues surrounding death and dying Women as They Age, Second Edition explores state-of-the-art and developmental perspectives across the professions of sociology, psychology, social work, and nursing. Also provided is a close examination of the unique issues facing older women--including public policy, employment discrimination, and social program adequacy and equity; the relationship of older women to family; sexuality and intimacy; and special concerns of minority women. This volume includes a practical resource guide that explores the services available to older women. While addressing the troublesome situations of older women worldwide, Women As They Age, Second Edition also celebrates their triumphs, accomplishments, and contributions.




Women and Aging International


Book Description

According to a recent population report by the United Nations, "in most countries, older women greatly outnumber older men. In many cases, the difference is so large that the concerns of the older population should in fact be viewed primarily as the concerns of older women." Internationally, the concerns of older women emanate from the unique gendered challenges they experience because they are more likely to be widowed, poor, have lower educational attainment, fewer skills, restricted inheritance and land ownership, and have fewer sexual rights. To add to this negative scenario, ageist and sexist attitudes in both developed and developing societies throughout the world tend to categorize older women as non-contributing burdens even though they are in fact often highly productive and bear most of the burdens of family caregiving responsibilities. In spite of their majority status and list of concerns, older women are less likely to be equally represented in the literature on aging. This edited book introduces the reader to the diversity, challenges and contributions of older women in several of the major regions of the world. This book was originally published as a special issue of the Journal of Ethnic and Cultural Diversity in Social Work.




Public Health and Aging


Book Description

The role of public health in the planning, coordination, and delivery of health promotion and disease prevention services to older people living outside of institutional settings. Selected by Choice Magazine as an Outstanding Academic Title Current issues in the public health arena have challenged the system to broaden its traditional focus on infectious disease to include chronic disease as well. As this change in emphasis takes place, professionals must be prepared to address the special chronic health concerns of older people living in the community. This textbook meets the training needs of those professionals. Public Health and Aging examines the role of public health in the planning, coordination, and delivery of health promotion and disease prevention services to older people living outside of institutional settings. Here, experts in the areas of health care policy and care of aged persons analyze the scientific basis for the practice of public health in an increasingly aging society. Reviewing a wide range of the social, cultural, financial, and environmental factors that influence the health experiences of older population groups, the authors delve into the epidemiology of age-related chronic illnesses, program development, methodological issues, data collection and analysis, strategies for intervention, and ethics. From outlines for community-based program planning and development to discussions about the future challenges for health care systems and services, this book is an ideal reference for gerontology, public policy, and public health professionals and professionals in training.




Diversity and Aging in the Social Environment


Book Description

Today, nearly one of every eight Americans is 65 or older, and by 2030, over 20% of the population will be in this age group. Are you prepared to work with this vastly diverseand rapidly growingpopulation? This single source is designed to help social service professionals provide effective services to America’s vastly diverse and rapidly growing elderly population. Diversity and Aging in the Social Environment explores the impact of race/ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, and geographic location on elders’ strengths, challenges, needs, and resources to provide you with a more complete understanding of the issues elders face. In order to be more responsive to older adults, social workers and other human service professionals need to enhance their knowledge of the aging population and the factors that impact the way seniors interact with society, organizations, community resources, neighborhoods, support networks, kinship groups, family, and friends. Diversity and Aging in the Social Environment examines differences in race, ethnicity, geographical location, sexual orientation, religion, and health status to help current and future human service professionals provide culturally competent services to the diverse range of elderly people they serve. In addition, it addresses the wide disparity that exists for older Americans in terms of income and assets, number of chronic conditions, functional and cognitive impairment, housing arrangements, and access to health care. This book provides a context for the examination of diversity issues among older adults by describing and discussing several theoretical perspectives on aging that highlight important aspects of diversity. Next, you’ll find thoughtful examinations of: issues and challenges faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender eldersand the strengths they bring into later life the impact of gender, race, and sexual orientation on prevalence rates, risk factors, methods of disease contraction, and mortality rates among older adults with HIV/AIDSalong with a discussion of the psychosocial issues they face diverse characteristics of custodial grandparentsand the influence of the caregivers’ gender, race, age, and geographic location on methods of care and available caregiver support differences in caregiver characteristics, service utilization, caregiver strain, and coping mechanisms among several racial/ethnic groups of adults who care for elderly, disabled, and ill persons cultural/religious factors that influence interactions between health care personnel and Japanese-American elders the relationship between acculturation and depressive symptoms among Mexican-American couples life challenges facing Jewish and African-American elderswith a look at each group’s coping mechanisms differences in religious/spiritual coping skills among Native American, African-American, and white elders psychological well-being and religiosity among a diverse group of rural elders




Retooling for an Aging America


Book Description

As the first of the nation's 78 million baby boomers begin reaching age 65 in 2011, they will face a health care workforce that is too small and woefully unprepared to meet their specific health needs. Retooling for an Aging America calls for bold initiatives starting immediately to train all health care providers in the basics of geriatric care and to prepare family members and other informal caregivers, who currently receive little or no training in how to tend to their aging loved ones. The book also recommends that Medicare, Medicaid, and other health plans pay higher rates to boost recruitment and retention of geriatric specialists and care aides. Educators and health professional groups can use Retooling for an Aging America to institute or increase formal education and training in geriatrics. Consumer groups can use the book to advocate for improving the care for older adults. Health care professional and occupational groups can use it to improve the quality of health care jobs.




Women and Healthy Aging


Book Description

This book explores what is known about healthy living among older women, emphasizing overcoming illness and adversity. Women and Healthy Aging focuses on common age-related changes and illnesses that frequently occur among women in the later years. It describes these diseases and changes, provides treatment options, highlights preventative measures, and offers suggestions for continued productive living as women age. Since some of the barriers to effective diagnoses, treatments, and implementation of productive living strategies are institutional, two chapters explore public health policies which affect older women and discrimination against older women in health care. This informative book assists health care professionals in the provision of services to older women, helping these professionals become catalysts for enabling older women to “overcome adversity” and continue to lead healthy, productive lives.Many of the most common diseases and age-related changes that affect older women are not “curable.” In a society which stresses “cure” as the appropriate role for health care professionals, what are these professionals to do with the legions of older women for whom “cures” may not be possible? How can they assist older women in preventing or slowing the occurrences of diseases and age-related changes? When prevention or cure is not possible, how can they assist older women in living productive, meaningful lives?By addressing specific conditions and diseases, Women and Healthy Aging gives readers focused information on current treatment options, preventative strategies, and suggestions for productive living which are disease- or condition-specific and target older women. Some of the topics covered include menopause, osteoporosis, arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, and sensory loss. Practitioners, educators, and students in the fields of nursing, social work, physical therapy, occupational therapy, gerontology, human services, and medicine will find this book an illuminating source of valuable information and insights into the aging process for women.




Social Isolation and Loneliness in Older Adults


Book Description

Social isolation and loneliness are serious yet underappreciated public health risks that affect a significant portion of the older adult population. Approximately one-quarter of community-dwelling Americans aged 65 and older are considered to be socially isolated, and a significant proportion of adults in the United States report feeling lonely. People who are 50 years of age or older are more likely to experience many of the risk factors that can cause or exacerbate social isolation or loneliness, such as living alone, the loss of family or friends, chronic illness, and sensory impairments. Over a life course, social isolation and loneliness may be episodic or chronic, depending upon an individual's circumstances and perceptions. A substantial body of evidence demonstrates that social isolation presents a major risk for premature mortality, comparable to other risk factors such as high blood pressure, smoking, or obesity. As older adults are particularly high-volume and high-frequency users of the health care system, there is an opportunity for health care professionals to identify, prevent, and mitigate the adverse health impacts of social isolation and loneliness in older adults. Social Isolation and Loneliness in Older Adults summarizes the evidence base and explores how social isolation and loneliness affect health and quality of life in adults aged 50 and older, particularly among low income, underserved, and vulnerable populations. This report makes recommendations specifically for clinical settings of health care to identify those who suffer the resultant negative health impacts of social isolation and loneliness and target interventions to improve their social conditions. Social Isolation and Loneliness in Older Adults considers clinical tools and methodologies, better education and training for the health care workforce, and dissemination and implementation that will be important for translating research into practice, especially as the evidence base for effective interventions continues to flourish.




Aging in Spirit


Book Description

Does God expect women who’ve lived faithfully most or all our lives to continue to grow in Christ as we age into our later decades? Absolutely! Not only does God want us to keep on maturing, but God provides the path to spiritual growth. God hardwired us to blossom into a new realm of spirituality as we age. Aging in Spirit provides a blueprint for developing the type of greater love, compassion, understanding, and acceptance that Jesus taught as we move into our elder years so we can continue to be the hands and feet of God until the end of our lives.




The Aging Networks, Ninth Edition


Book Description

Praise for the Eighth Edition: “This small volume is not only an excellent learning tool, but also a "must-have" handbook for aging professionals in many fields.” -Noreen A. Shugrue Research Associate, University of Connecticut Center on Aging Farmington, CT Educational Gerontology This classic text—more relevant than ever as our population rapidly ages—delivers comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge about aging services in the U.S. Written for both students and practitioners of gerontology, along with all professionals involved in the well-being of older adults, this highly accessible book provides a current and detailed description and analysis of local to global services for older people with or without cognitive, physical, or social needs. The Ninth Edition is updated to reflect critical changes to legislation, health care, and recent trends. It focuses on the strengths and diversity of older adults and the role our multilayered aging networks play in advocacy, community independence, and engagement. Commentary and critical thinking challenges from policymakers, program directors, and educators facilitate high-level reasoning and independent analysis of aging networks past, present, and future. The ninth edition also offers enhanced resources including a Test Bank, Instructor’s Manual, PowerPoint slides, and links to video. Additionally, the print version of the book includes free, searchable, digital access to the entire contents. New to the Ninth Edition: Fully updated to reflect historical context, recent trends and challenges, and future considerations Addresses the effects of our current political and ideological landscape on aging networks including a Call to Action Examines the current status of Medicare and Medicaid, Meals-on-Wheels, and the impact of the ACA Discusses long-term services and supports, disaster preparedness and climate change, caregiving as a human right, and LBGTQ services and support Presents new case studies providing evidence-based best-practice initiatives and new innovations Delivers enhanced instructor resources including Test Bank, Instructor’s Manual, Power Point slides, and video links Key Features: Focuses on the strengths of older adults and the role our multilayered aging networks play in advocacy, community independence, and engagement Provides commentary and critical thinking challenges from policy-makers, program directors, and educators to facilitate high-level analysis Addresses changing demographics and future challenges Offers “Voices from the Field” boxes and “Critical Thinking” topics and questions to encourage reflection and discussion