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Library | Item Barcode | Call Number | Material Type | Item Category 1 | Status |
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Searching... | 30000010334069 | RA427.8 G56 2014 | Open Access Book | Book | Searching... |
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Summary
Summary
This book is exemplary in amassing demographic, policy, and sociopsychological data from around the world to refute both premises: that countries' aging is not occurring in developing nations and that aging of the population presents intractable predicaments. The content of the book is rich with current information seldom accumulated into one source. For a scholar of aging studies, the topics are comprehensive, including demographics, political systems, health and long-term care provision, employment/retirement, and formal and informal support systems. Structurally, the book adds value with the inclusion of Web resources and a robust index. The design is conducive for a classroom setting by incorporating discussion questions and key words at the end of each chapter." -- Dr. Carol A. Gosselink, PsycCritiques
Using a comparative, cross-national perspective, Global Aging: Comparative Perspectives on Aging and the Life Course explores the major topics in social gerontology worldwide and the demands that the aging population places on a society.
This comprehensive and timely guide includes contributions from international gerontology scholars and illustrates both universal and socioculturally unique aspects of aging across nations. It is organized thematically for ease of use and includes an abundance of photographs and illustrations to highlight key points.
Key features:
Discussions on various nations' policies and programs designed to meet the unique needs of an older population An essay on pension and income maintenance policies and programs An analysis of the role of local and national governments, as well as non-governmental organizations, in serving older adults Case studies on specific aspects of aging: family life, caregiving, policies and politics, health and long-term care, and work and retirement The most current demographic data on aging around the world
Table of Contents
Contributors | p. xi |
Preface | p. xiii |
1 Our Aging World | p. 1 |
More, Less, and Least Developed Nations | p. 3 |
Culture, Population Aging, and Social Change | p. 4 |
China: One-Child Policy | p. 6 |
Germany: Inverted Pyramid | p. 8 |
Kenya: Health Challenges | p. 11 |
Aging and the Welfare State | p. 12 |
Development of the Welfare State | p. 13 |
The Welfare State and Role of the Family | p. 14 |
International Initiatives on Aging | p. 17 |
The Study of Global Aging | p. 19 |
1 To Get Educated | p. 19 |
2 Self-Interest | p. 19 |
3 The Smart Move | p. 20 |
Summary | p. 21 |
Discussion Questions | p. 22 |
Keywords | p. 22 |
Essay: Gender, Aging, and Power in Rural Bangladesh: Getting Older as the Priming of Women | p. 23 |
2 The Study of Global Aging | p. 27 |
Types of Investigation | p. 27 |
Cross-National Comparative Research | p. 29 |
The Importance of Comparison: From Description to Explanation | p. 30 |
The Challenge and the Promise of Comparative Research | p. 33 |
Challenge #1 Unit of Analysis | p. 35 |
Challenge #2 Conceptualization and Measurement | p. 40 |
Challenge #3 Getting Valid Data | p. 42 |
Challenge #4 Respecting Participants | p. 43 |
Summary | p. 45 |
Discussion Questions | p. 45 |
Key Words | p. 46 |
Essay: An American in Havana: Observations About Aging in Cuba | p. 47 |
3 The Welfare State and Global Aging | p. 53 |
Retired and Living the Good Life? | p. 53 |
Defining the Welfare State | p. 55 |
History of the Welfare State | p. 55 |
Program Types and Eligibility | p. 58 |
Distribution of Program Types | p. 62 |
The Recent Trend: Retrenchment | p. 63 |
The Future of the Welfare State and Global Aging | p. 64 |
Conclusion | p. 68 |
Discussion Questions | p. 69 |
Key Words | p. 69 |
Essay: Older Swedes: Living in the "Role Model of Welfare States" | p. 71 |
4 Demographic Perspectives on an Aging World | p. 75 |
Demographic Transition Theory | p. 77 |
Demographic Divide | p. 81 |
Speed of Population Aging | p. 82 |
Demographic Dividends | p. 83 |
Measures of Population Aging | p. 84 |
Population Pyramids | p. 84 |
Proportion Aged | p. 89 |
Median Age | p. 90 |
Life Expectancy | p. 91 |
Aging Index | p. 92 |
Dependency Ratios | p. 93 |
Prospective Age | p. 95 |
Interpreting and Using Demographic Data | p. 95 |
Summary | p. 97 |
Discussion Questions | p. 98 |
Key Words | p. 99 |
Essay: Income Inequality and Heterogeneity in Mortality Patterns | p. 100 |
5 Disability and Active Life Expectancy | p. 109 |
Why Is Disability an Important Topic for Global Aging? | p. 111 |
Defining Disability for Global Comparisons | p. 112 |
Measuring Disability Comparatively | p. 114 |
The Difficulties of Data | p. 117 |
Disability Around the Globe | p. 118 |
The Developed World | p. 118 |
The Developing World | p. 120 |
Future Trends: Adding Years to Life and Adding Life to Years? | p. 120 |
Discussion Questions | p. 123 |
Key Words | p. 123 |
Essay: Methodological Problems Related to the Measurement of Psychiatric Disorders in International Surveys: An Example Comparing the United States and Nepal | p. 124 |
6 Health and Health Care Systems | p. 129 |
Patterns of Health and Aging | p. 129 |
From Acute to Chronic Diseases | p. 130 |
Differences Within Older Populations-Does Age Matter? | p. 132 |
The Role of Culture in Health Patterns | p. 133 |
Health Systems: A Global Perspective | p. 134 |
Types of Health Care Systems | p. 134 |
Folk Medicine | p. 134 |
Traditional Medicine | p. 135 |
Modern Medicine | p. 137 |
Models of Organizing and Financing Modern Medicine | p. 138 |
The Bismarck Model | p. 140 |
The Beveridge Model | p. 141 |
The National Health Insurance Model | p. 142 |
The Out-of-Pocket Model | p. 143 |
Health Systems and Older People | p. 144 |
Health Behavior of Older People | p. 145 |
Complementary and Alternative Medicine | p. 145 |
CAM and Aging | p. 146 |
Health Promotion and Self-Care | p. 148 |
Health Literacy | p. 149 |
Self-Directed Care | p. 150 |
Summary | p. 151 |
Discussion Questions | p. 152 |
Key Words | p. 152 |
Essay: Palliative Care: A Global Public Health Initiative to Improve Quality of Life | p. 154 |
7 Long-Term Services and Supports | p. 163 |
Defining Long-Term Services and Supports | p. 164 |
Typologies of LTC Services and Supports | p. 165 |
A New Typology | p. 166 |
Group 1 p. 166 | |
Group 2 p. 171 | |
Group 3 p. 173 | |
Group 4 p. 177 | |
Group 5 p. 179 | |
Cross-Cutting Issues for an Aging Planet p. 183 | |
Financing | p. 183 |
Support for Family | p. 184 |
Need to Develop an Efficient and Effective LTC System | p. 184 |
Need for Prevention | p. 184 |
Conclusion | p. 185 |
Discussion Questions | p. 185 |
Key Words | p. 186 |
Appendix A Country List | p. 186 |
Appendix B OECD Country List | p. 186 |
Essay: Aging in Nicaragua | p. 187 |
8 Work and Retirement | p. 193 |
Defining Work and Retirement | p. 195 |
What Gives Rise to Retirement? | p. 197 |
What Drives Individual Retirement? | p. 198 |
Bureaucratic Rules | p. 199 |
Functional and Health Limitations | p. 199 |
Financial and Personal Reasons | p. 201 |
Private Pension Systems | p. 202 |
Different Forms of Retirement | p. 204 |
Early Retirement | p. 205 |
Delayed Retirement | p. 206 |
Partial Retirement and Return to Work | p. 209 |
Retirement in Developing Nations | p. 210 |
Conclusions | p. 212 |
Discussion Questions | p. 212 |
Keywords | p. 212 |
Essay: Retirement in China | p. 214 |
9 Families, Caregiving, and Community Support Systems | p. 219 |
An American Family | p. 220 |
The Universal Concept of Family | p. 220 |
Evolving Definitions of the Family | p. 221 |
Kinship Ties | p. 223 |
What Do You Call Your Grandmother? | p. 223 |
Aging Families | p. 225 |
Household Structures and Living Arrangements | p. 225 |
Intergenerational Transfers | p. 228 |
Older Adults as Caregivers | p. 229 |
Cultural Values About Older Adults and Family Relationships | p. 230 |
Interdependence | p. 232 |
Filial Piety and Filial Responsibility | p. 232 |
Intergenerational Solidarity-Conflict | p. 233 |
Family Integrity | p. 233 |
Who Provides Care for Older People? | p. 236 |
Informal and Formal Systems of Support | p. 237 |
Variations in Systems of Support and Care | p. 238 |
Community Care: NGOs | p. 240 |
Expanding Role of NGOs: The Madrid Plan | p. 241 |
Families and Social Support Today: Updates to the Madrid Plan | p. 245 |
Conclusion | p. 247 |
Discussion Questions | p. 248 |
Key Words | p. 248 |
Essay: Social Support Systems for Rural Older Adults in Kenya | p. 250 |
10 Global Aging and Global Leadership | p. 255 |
Themes Worth Remembering | p. 257 |
Becoming a Global Leader | p. 262 |
About the Expert Panel | p. 265 |
Web Resources for Further Information | p. 267 |
References | p. 275 |
Index | p. 301 |