Contemporary Issues in Gerontology

Written by leading international experts, this book helps students and practitioners to better understand and cater for the needs of our ageing population. It examines: - how services can be provided to meet the expectations and needs of a growing population of ageing citizens within a cost-effective, social justice and positive ageing framework - how resources allocated to aged care can be distributed equitably to better meet the demands associated with housing, retirement, service provision and care - how health promotion principles can contribute to a healthy older population. Investigating current critical debates in health and social science, the book explores innovative new approaches to aged care and ageing. By using international examples and a multidisciplinary approach, this comprehensive textbook provides a broad understanding of ageing from a social perspective and analyzes concepts of ageism, healthy ageing and positive ageing.

Victor Minichiello is Professor in Health and Dean of the Faculty of Education, Health and Professional Studies at the University of New England in Australia. Irene Coulson is Professor of Nursing and Dean of the Faculty of Nursing at the University of Prince Edward Island in Canada.

1. The Challenges of Ageism 2. The Role of Health Promotion in Healthy Ageing 3. The Experience of Ageing: Influences on Mental Health and Well-Being 4. Sexuality, Sexual Intimacy and Sexual Health in Later Life 5. Considerations and Challenges in the Prevention of Dementia 6. Work and Retirement Later in Life: Is Retirement a Relevant Concept for the 21st Century? 7. Housing and Older People: Environments, Professionals and Positive Ageing 8. The Challenge of Caregiving 9. Delivery of Care for Older People 10.Vehicles to Promote Positive Ageing: Natural Therapies, Counselling, Music and the Creative Arts 11. Gerontechnology: Optimising Relationships between Ageing People and Changing Technology