This book explores various aspects related to human longevity and aging beyond 100 years old. It examines all domains of health and well-being of this elite group including the current demographics, genetics and epigenetics of exceptional longevity, cardiovascular risk factors, dementia, nutrition, physical activity, African American and Hispanic centenarians, financial planning, religion, spirituality, whole health, wellness, oral health, and nature. The book also delves into the lives of supercentenarians, defined as expert survivors who have lived beyond 110 years old. The implications of the Age-Friendly Healthcare Systems (AFHS) Movement on the care of centenarians are also discussed. This book is a valuable resource for healthcare professionals, epidemiologists, public health professionals, policy makers, and anyone interested in the study of aging and longevity.

Post-war Japan has seen profound and rapid social change and transformation. One of the most visible areas of change in Japan has been medicine, and particularly the ethical practices and policies that guide medical decision-making. The formal discipline of bioethics, Seimei Rinri in Japanese, has grown by leaps and bounds since the late 1970s, when it began to appear in the curriculum and professional activities of Japanese medical schools and philosophy departments. The introduction of bioethics to Japan was timely, as innovation in medicine and technology was evolving in ways that revealed that the intersection of medicine, traditional Japanese values, and new cultural trends was an area of great moral complexity. In its infancy, bioethics in Japan was more or less an import from the United States, where the discipline took its roots. Quickly, however, it became clear that Japan’s history and tradition would call for a different approach, and the engagement of slightly different ethical issues. Organ transplantation, for example, sparked much greater controversy in Japan than it ever did in the United States. Today, Japan has one of the most dynamic bioethics programs in the world, and it is one that reflects both traditional Japanese culture and the need for inter-cultural engagement in an increasingly global world. Through a series of original chapters written by bioethicists and covering a range of ethical issues, this anthology shows that, in contrast to previous assumptions, Japanese bioethics has, in fact, taken on an identity that is undoubtedly separate from its American origins. Rich philosophical questions raised by medicine, human subjects research, and psychiatric care are being posed by scholars in a way that reflect Japanese tradition and is no longer simply reflective of, or shaped by, American traditions and philosophical problems. The book highlights and showcases these trends through a series of chapters written by some of the leading scholars in contemporary Japanese bioethics, many of whom were pioneers of the field when it began and are now nearing retirement.

Positive Ageing and Learning from Centenarians evaluates the mechanisms of positive ageing in a uniquely interdisciplinary way to explore the question of how we age and how some people age successfully. Drawing together the findings of recognised longevity researchers from around the world, the book applies an integrated vision to educational and social aspects of human ageing. It examines research into centenarians, and considers most of the disciplines related to longevity and healthy aging and aspects such as education, psychology, philosophy, anthropology, demography, sociology, economics as well as those related to nutrition and biological factors of longevity. The book examines how the results of these scientific investigations could improve the well-being of the oldest olds in the future, especially in the context of ageing societies. It provides an answer to the question of what we can learn from centenarians and what lessons we can from their lifestyle, which can contribute to live longer, better and happier. Based on cutting-edge research, the book will be highly relevant reading for researchers, academics and students in the field of ageing and longevity, mental health research, health science, gerontology and psychology.

Learn the art of growing old from the supercentenarians living life to the fullest. It's said that life begins at 40 - but that number is constantly revised upwards as we live longer and longer. With the number of centenarians having quadrupled in the last thirty years, more of us can now hope to reach the 100-year mark than ever before. But how can we navigate this journey with grace, dignity and style? In this charming and informative book, Daniela Mari - the Italian doctor caring for some of the oldest people on the planet - draws on her experiences as a renowned gerontologist to reveal the science behind a healthy, happy old age. It turns out that the world's centenarians can teach us a thing or two about ageing well. And the secrets are not always what you'd think. Informed by the latest medical studies and incredible stories of individual longevity, Mari shows how our lifestyles can far surpass the influence of our genetics and why a daily glass of liquor isn't the end of the world. From our sleeping habits and diet to the crucial importance of our passions and interests, Breakfast with the Centenarians is the essential handbook for a fruitful and fulfilling old age.

Much research on the biology of senescence is on cell-lines, nematodes or fruit flies, that are only of peripheral relevance to the problems encountered in humans. Human Senescence is a text which reviews the evolutionary biology of human senescence and life span, and the evolutionarily recent development of late-life survival. It examines how human patterns of and variability in growth and development have altered later life survival probabilities and competencies, and how survival during mid-life contributes to senescent dysfunction and alteration. Discussing possibilities of further extending human life span, it gives a better understanding of how humans came to senesce as slowly as we do over our lifespan. Bringing together gerontological, anthropological and biocultural research, it explores human variation in chronic disease, senescence and life span as outcomes of early life adaptation and the success of humankind's sociocultural evolution. It is a benchmark publication for all interested in how and why we age.

Now in its fourth edition trusted textbook Older People: Issues and Innovations in Care provides a unique collection of conversations and commentaries by leading international and local experts on a range of contemporary issues around the care of older people. Featuring six new chapters, current research and policy changes, the esteemed author team continue to highlight the importance of interdisciplinary healthcare in providing a comprehensive, person-centred approach to care. This edition encourages readers to explore care issues, innovations and change, and to utilise evidence-based practice to improve the care of older people and their families. - Editors' comments precede each chapter, providing a snapshot of the issues addressed. - Dementia care has an increased focus. New chapters include: - Caring for older people: issues for consumers - Younger people in residential aged care facilities - Health and care of older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples - Alzheimer's dementia: neuropsychology, early diagnosis and intervention - Self-esteem, dignity and finding meaning in dementia - My journey of heartbreak: my parents and Alzheimer's disease. - Vignettes highlight innovative approaches to care that result in improved health outcomes for older people. - Key points are woven through the text to reiterate vital information relevant to nurses and aged care workers. - Reflective questions encourage critical thinking as an instrument for improving practice. - In-text references are made to video interviews available on the Evolve site. This text reflects new thinking in care; include the ideas and experiences of policy analysts, nurses, doctors, allied health professionals and the consumer experience mainly from Australia but with international contributions and be based on contemporary research. It will also point readers to 'the evidence' where it exists, and include vignettes of practice and 'video' clips where appropriate.

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The only comprehensive book on geriatric occupational therapy designed specifically for the COTA, Occupational Therapy with Elders: Strategies for the COTA, 3rd Edition provides in-depth coverage of each aspect of geriatric practice, from wellness and prevention to death and dying. A discussion of foundational concepts includes aging trends and strategies for elder care, and coverage of emerging areas includes low-vision rehabilitation, mobility issues including driving, and Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. Expert authors René Padilla, Sue Byers-Connon, and Helene Lohman offer an unmatched discussion of diverse populations and the latest on geriatric policies and procedures in this fast-growing area of practice. Unique! A focus on the occupational therapy assistant highlights the importance of COTAs to the care of elder clients. Case studies illustrate principles and help you apply what you've learned to actual situations. Key terms, chapter objectives, and review questions highlight important content in each chapter. Use of the term "elder" reduces the stereotypical role of dependent patients and helps to dispel myths about aging. A multidisciplinary approach demonstrates how the OT and the COTA can collaborate effectively. Unique! Attention to diverse populations and cultures prepares you to respect and care for clients of different backgrounds. Unique! The companion Evolve website makes review easier with more learning activities, references linked to MEDLINE abstracts, and links to related OT sites. Unique! A discussion of elder abuse, battered women, and literacy includes information on how the COTA can address these often-overlooked issues. New information on alternative treatment settings for elders reflects new trends in OT care. Updated information on Medicare, Medicaid, and HIPAA regulations discusses the latest policies and how to incorporate the newest procedures into practice. Significant additions are made to the chapters on public policy, dementia, and oncology.

This empirically-based study of older adults ranging in age from 70-90 years examines the influence of family relations, religious beliefs, age-related health changes, culture, and more on personal meanings of death, fears of death, and views of the dying process. Gerontologists will gain a more realistic understanding of all of the factors influencing an older individual's view of death and the dying process. These views impact the development of both effective interventions to provide appropriate emotional support and coping strategies to help persons deal with fears of approaching death.