·What is quality of life? ·How should we assess quality of life for older people? ·What are the personal and external influences on quality of life for older people? Quality of Life and Older People provides a critical approach to the conceptualization and measurement of quality of life in social gerontology and health and social care research. The book re-examines what we mean by 'quality of life' in a post-modern world, and examines the impact of continuous personal and social changes on the lives of older people. The book explores ideas about quality of life in social gerontological literature, and describes the experiences of older people through both their own personal accounts and representations in everyday life, popular culture and scientific research. In this way, the book is unique, since it reviews the way that older people talk about their quality of life and how this differs from the ways that younger people, researchers and scientists, policy makers and professionals discuss it. The book draws on a range of behavioural and social science knowledge to present a new way of thinking about and understanding quality of life and older people. While the book provides a critique of existing social science theories underpinning conceptions of quality of life it also addresses operational issues for the use of quality of life in social gerontological research. Quality of Life and Older People is essential reading for undergraduate and postgraduate students taking courses in gerontology, medicine, nursing, social work and social sciences. It is also of interest to social gerontologists and health and social care researchers, as well as to those involved in the planning and delivery of services to older adults.

This volume brings together leading researchers on quality of life in old age to focus on one of the most important issues in both gerontology and quality of life studies. There are very few texts available on this topic and none of an international and multi-disciplinary nature. For these reasons and the high quality of the authors we have assembled, this will be a seminal text for both gerontology and quality of life researchers.

This volume introduces the work of the Economic and Social Reseach Council (ESRC) funded Growing Older Programme (1999-2004) and provides a showcase for the other volumes in the series. It focuses on ways in which quality of life can be extended for older people and offers short research-based summaries of key findings on a variety of core topics with a major emphasis on the views of older people themselves. Many of the leading names in social gerontology in the United Kingdom have contributed their findings, providing the most up-to-date and broad-ranging information available on quality of life in old age. Topics discussed include: · Defining and measuring quality of life · Inequalities in quality of life · Technology and the built environment · Healthy and active ageing · Family and support networks · Participation and grandparenthood Growing Olderis suitable for undergraduate and postgraduate students of social gerontology, sociology and social policy. It is of interest to professionals working with older people, including social workers, gerontology nurses and community support workers. There are also important findings for policy-makers. Contributors: Sara Arber; Madhavi Bajekal; David Blane; John Bond; Ann Bowling; Jabeer Butt; Lynda Clarke; Joanne Cook; Kate Davidson; Murna Downs; Zahava Gabriel; Ini Grewal; Catherine Hagan Hennessey; Caroline Holland; Gill Hubbard; Leonie Kellaher; Charlotte MacDonald; Tony Maltby; Jo Moriarty; Joan Murphy; James Nazroo; Sheila M. Peace; Chris Phillipson; Ceridwen Roberts; Sasha Scambler; Thomas Scharf; Allison Smith; Susan Tester; Christina Victor; Alan Walker; Lorna Warren.

The continuous growth of older adult populations, as a consequence of demographic changes, is a huge challenge. To prevent costly and negative impacts effects on the population as a whole, it is crucial that societies increase their knowledge of promoting good health among older adults, to promote good health and a better quality of life in their later years. Active aging is the process of optimizing opportunities for health, participation, and security in order to enhance quality of life as people age. An active and healthy life has remained one of the most important aspirations for all people, both young and older adults alike. This ambition has become a genuine possibility for many due to a rising life expectancy among people of diverse attributes across the world. While celebrating longer life and with more financial security in later life than ever before, we need to challenge how these aspirations can be sustained, through our own behavioural responses and through public policy, institutional reforms, and innovations. The challenge is to identify, recommend, and promote strategies and interventions that stimulate and sustain the activity, independence, and health of people of all ages, especially older adults and, in the process, promote the well-being and quality of life of people and make public welfare systems more sustainable.

This erudite Handbook demonstrates how multiple approaches have been used to conceptualize, measure, and model the complex issue of quality of life (QOL) and individual well-being, emphasizing place and space as critical factors in a meaningful QOL experience among diverse populations including special attention given to older adults.

The WHO estimates that by 2050, 30% of the world's population will be elderly. The increased life expectancy of the population coupled with falling fertility contributes to this scenario in many countries. Although the life expectancy of the population has increased, the recurring concern is to ensure the quality of life of this group. Some diseases are directly associated with the aging process, such as sarcopenia and osteoporosis. On the other hand, chronic degenerative diseases, such as diabetes, hypertension, and cancer, are associated with long-term inadequate health habits and, therefore, are more prevalent in the elderly. Among the factors that contribute to a lifestyle that influences the onset of these diseases, we can highlight sedentarism and poor diet quality.

People want to live a healthy and happy later life. A large body of literature shows the close association between health status and happiness and between health and active engagement (in work, exercise, and social and religious activities). However, the causation between the two can run both ways, and it is difficult to determine the causal effect with cross-sectional data. Various authors have shown the significant influence of socioeconomic factors and human needs on older people’s health status and happiness. A better understanding of the factors affecting healthy and happy aging is essential for policymaking to improve the well-being of older people. The availability of data from HRS-family studies in several Asian countries (CHARLS in China, LASI in India, JSTAR in Japan, KLoSA in Korea, IFLS in Indonesia, HART in Thailand, MARS in Malaysia, and Longitudinal Study of Ageing and Health in Viet Nam) (see Gateway to Global Aging Data) provides an excellent opportunity for researchers to examine factors affecting health and happiness among older adults within and across Asian countries. This research topic aims to gather papers that investigate the socioeconomic, attitudinal, and behavioural factors affecting the health status and happiness/life satisfaction of older adults in Asia. The dependent variables may include physical health, mental health, disability (ADL/IADL), cognitive functioning), self-rated health, health expenditure, feeling of happiness and life satisfaction. The independent variables may be age, gender, marital status, place of residence, educational level, active engagement (work, exercise, social and religious activities), family and social relationship and support, outlook in life, smoking, drinking, and access to and utilization of healthcare services, etc. Manuscripts can be based on individual countries or cross-country analysis, preferably using the panel data to establish the causal effects of the independent variables on the dependent variables.

The Aging Skeleton is a comprehensive and timely book on all aspects of the skeleton as it ages, including basic mechanisms and pathways as well as pathobiology. Chapters cover general aspects and models of aging, determinants and maintenance of peak bone mass, mechanisms of age-related bone loss, quantifiable manifestations of age-related bone loss, fractures, and therapeutics. - Covers all aspects of the aging skeleton in one comprehensive volume - Looks at the influence of genetics, nutrition, environment, hormones, and other factors on bone mass - Provides a thorough discussion of fractures, one of the major consequences of the aging skeleton - Reviews current therapeutic approaches and methods - Written by internationally renowned authors and edited by leaders in the field - Is the only book available on this subject

Assessments, Treatments and Modeling in Aging and Neurological Disease: The Neuroscience of Aging is a comprehensive reference on the diagnosis and management of neurological aging and associated disorders. The book discusses the mechanisms underlying neurological aging and provides readers with a detailed introduction to the aging of neural connections and complexities in biological circuitries, as well as the interactions between genetics, epigenetics and other micro-environmental processes. It also examines pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions of age-related conditions that affect the brain, including Alzheimer's, stroke and multiple sclerosis. - Provides the most comprehensive coverage of the broad range of topics related to the neuroscience of aging - Features sections on diagnosis and biomarkers of neurological aging, Alzheimer's and stroke - Contains an abstract, key facts, a mini dictionary of terms, and summary points in each chapter - Focuses on neurological diseases and conditions linked to aging, environmental factors and clinical recommendations - Includes more than 500 illustrations and tables