Gerontological Practice for the Twenty-first Century

by Richardson, Virginia E.; Barusch, Amanda Smith

• ISBN13: 9780231107488
• ISBN10: 023110748X
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2005-11-15
• Publisher: Columbia Univ Pr

Summary

Gerontological Practice for the Twenty-first Centurymeets the need for state-of-the-art information on practice approaches with older patients that are age-specific and empirically based, blend "micro" and "macro" views, and reflect current themes in the aging and social work fields. The book is designed as a text for students and as a professional resource for practitioners. Clearly written, the book offers an expert and comprehensive review of the current literature and focuses on issues relating to the most vulnerable older people. Gerontological Practice for the Twenty-first Centuryalso features case illustrations throughout and brief end-of-chapter questions for review. The book has four parts. Part 1 reviews current and classic theories of aging and proposes an original framework for an integrative approach to practice with older people that incorporates both individual and policy-level interventions. The approach is based on current themes such as a life course perspective, heterogeneity, diversity, and inequality. Part 2 covers such common and important psychological problems among older individuals, as anxiety, depression, suicide, substance abuse, and dementia, and describes appropriate, evidence-based interventions. Part 3 considers the social psychological picture by discussing working with older families, end-of-life care, bereavement, and work and retirement. Part 4 focuses on core sociopolitical issues in the lives of older people: economic policy, poverty, health policy, quality-of-life concerns, and social services. Current, authoritative, and original, this single-volume gerontology resource will be of valuable use to graduate students and practitioners.

Table of Contents

Preface	ix
Acknowledgments	xi
PART 1 Overview and Theoretical Perspectives
Social Work Practice in the Twenty-first Century	3	(19)
Theories of Aging	22	(26)
Integrated Gerontological Practice	48	(16)
Stages in Gerontological Practice	64	(27)
PART 2 Psychological Problems and Interventions
Anxiety Reactions Among Older People	91	(19)
Depression Among Older People	110	(22)
Suicide Among Older People	132	(14)
Substance Abuse Among Older People	146	(23)
Dementia	169	(32)
PART 3 Social Psychological Problems and Interventions
Social Workers and Aging Families	201	(34)
Social Work Practice and End-of-Life Care	235	(29)
Bereavement in Later Life	264	(29)
Work and Retirement	293	(22)
PART 4 Sociopolitical Issues
Economic Policies and Aging	315	(23)
Poverty and Aging	338	(17)
Health Policies and Aging	355	(23)
Improving the Quality of Life: Social Services and Aging	378	(15)
References	393	(60)
Subject Index	453	(18)
Name Index	471