Academy of Parish Clergy's Top Ten Books for Parish Ministry Vocational discernment, says R. Paul Stevens, is a lifelong process -- one that takes on even more significance in later life. In this book Stevens argues that our calling does not end with formal retirement; to the contrary, we do well to keep on working, if possible, till life's end. Stevens delves into matters of calling, spirituality, and legacy in retirement, showing that we must continue to discern our vocation as we grow older in order to remain meaningfully engaged for the rest of our lives. He reframes retirement as a time of continued calling and productivity and points to biblical wisdom that can help us redefine aging as an extraordinarily fruitful season of life.
REVEL™ for Aging Matters: An Introduction to Social Gerontology illuminates cultural, biological, physiological, emotional, cognitive, economic, and social aspects of aging. A useful guide to a range of disciplines, REVEL for Aging Matters helps readers of all educational backgrounds understand the dynamic interactions between older people and their environments. REVEL is Pearson’s newest way of delivering our respected content. Fully digital and highly engaging, REVEL offers an immersive learning experience designed for the way today's students read, think, and learn. Enlivening course content with media interactives and assessments, REVEL empowers educators to increase engagement with the course, and to better connect with students. NOTE: REVEL is a fully digital delivery of Pearson content. This ISBN is for the standalone REVEL access card. In addition to this access card, you will need a course invite link, provided by your instructor, to register for and use REVEL.
Most of us seek to remain independent and stay in our own homes for as long as possible. However, as we age, we may experience changes in our abilities to do what matters most to us. These changes may involve dressing, bathing, toileting, preparing meals, reading, going up and down stairs, or other activities. But there is good news! This book provides simple tips"€"identified in research and clinical practice"€"that can be tried at home. These straightforward suggestions may help you do what matters to you. Find the activity you want to do, try a few of the listed tips, and keep track of which ones were most helpful.
Gray Matters: Finding Meaning in the Stories of Later Life examines films, literature, and art that focus on aging, often made by people who are over sixty-five. These texts are analyzed alongside recent gerontology research and extensive commentary from interviews and surveys of seniors to show how "stories" illuminate the dynamics of growing old by blending fact with imagination, giving a fuller picture of the aging process.
Presents Social Gerontology from Multiple Perspectives Aging Matters illuminates cultural, biological, physiological, emotional, cognitive, economic, and social aspects of aging. A useful guide to a range of disciplines, this title helps readers of all educational backgrounds understand the dynamic interactions between older people and their environments.
The United States is in the midst of a major demographic shift. In the coming decades, people aged 65 and over will make up an increasingly large percentage of the population: The ratio of people aged 65+ to people aged 20-64 will rise by 80%. This shift is happening for two reasons: people are living longer, and many couples are choosing to have fewer children and to have those children somewhat later in life. The resulting demographic shift will present the nation with economic challenges, both to absorb the costs and to leverage the benefits of an aging population. Aging and the Macroeconomy: Long-Term Implications of an Older Population presents the fundamental factors driving the aging of the U.S. population, as well as its societal implications and likely long-term macroeconomic effects in a global context. The report finds that, while population aging does not pose an insurmountable challenge to the nation, it is imperative that sensible policies are implemented soon to allow companies and households to respond. It offers four practical approaches for preparing resources to support the future consumption of households and for adapting to the new economic landscape.
This volume of original chapters is designed to bring attention to a neglected area of feminist scholarship - aging. After several decades of feminist studies we are now well informed of the complex ways that gender shapes the lives of women and men. Similarly, we know more about how gendered power relations interface with race and ethnicity, class and sexual orientation. Serious theorizing of old age and age relations to gender represents the next frontier of feminist scholarship. In this volume, leading national and international feminist scholars of aging take first steps in this direction, illuminating how age relations interact with other social inequalities, particularly gender. In doing so, the authors challenge and transform feminist scholarship and many taken for granted concepts in gender studies.
Aging society is an urgent global issue that challenges almost all human societies in the world. When nations evolve into aging societies, they must establish and implement policies and approaches to meet the needs of the elderly population, such as elderly services, long-term care, health care policies, institutional facilities, illness and healing processes, financial support, and retirement life and leisure. The fundamental purpose of this book is to help students and readers develop their knowledge on worldwide elderly issues. To accomplish this goal, the text incorporates 18 chapters from different countries with a variety of aging topics, which are divided into continents including Africa, Asia, Europe, North and South America, and the Oceanic Islands. Specific chapters from the following countries/regions are included: Sub-Saharan Africa, South Africa, China, Japan, Israel, Singapore, Thailand, Austria, United Kingdom, Estonia, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, United States, Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, and Uruguay. By sharing these regions’ and nations’ elderly issues and their particular solutions to the challenges, it provides readers with global views on current aging processes, policies, and strategies. The book effectively helps readers understand that the increase of the elderly population is a major development of the 21st century. The text further helps comprehend the importance of improving the elderly population’s overall quality of life as well as valuing the contribution they can make to their communities and society. The reader will gain insights about why global elderly issues are critical, and how the lives of elderly have been impacted and influenced by different policies, societies, and cultures in which they live. The book is designed as a college text for study of aging issues with a global perspective. Also, any readers interested in topics of the elderly will find the book to be a most beneficial resource.
Our world is currently experiencing a global Caregiving Crisis. If you, like so many others, are increasingly concerned about your loved one's needs as they age, then ask yourself the following questions: How does your loved one see their life playing out? Where do they want to live as they age (in their own home vs. assisted living)? What kind of health do they aspire to be in? What kinds of activities do they want to engage in? If and when your loved one can no longer live independently, what is their preference (i.e., paid in-home help, assisted living or nursing facility)? Is their preference realistic considering their financial situation, and if not, what are the feasible alternatives? The Caregiving Journey goes far beyond the basics of wills and logistical funeral plans-basics many people have in place (especially where children are involved). Rather, you'll be guided and supported to create a well-thought-out plan for those three, five or even 10 or more years when your loved one needs your help because they can no longer live on their own. With the inspiration, practical steps, support, and tools provided inside these pages, you'll be well-equipped to guide your family members and loved ones to the end of their lives with love, ease and grace.Bringing together her 30+ years as a professional market analyst and her personal experience as a live-in caregiver for her mom, author Debbie Howard has integrated her experiences-along with the journeys of over 200 other caregivers-into this book to help you choose your best way forward. Learn more at www.theCaregivingJourney.com.
Family caregiving affects millions of Americans every day, in all walks of life. At least 17.7 million individuals in the United States are caregivers of an older adult with a health or functional limitation. The nation's family caregivers provide the lion's share of long-term care for our older adult population. They are also central to older adults' access to and receipt of health care and community-based social services. Yet the need to recognize and support caregivers is among the least appreciated challenges facing the aging U.S. population. Families Caring for an Aging America examines the prevalence and nature of family caregiving of older adults and the available evidence on the effectiveness of programs, supports, and other interventions designed to support family caregivers. This report also assesses and recommends policies to address the needs of family caregivers and to minimize the barriers that they encounter in trying to meet the needs of older adults.