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Key Concepts in Social Gerontology
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Key Concepts in Social Gerontology



March 2010 | 248 pages | SAGE Publications Ltd

"I welcome this book's refreshing approach to developing an understanding of fifty major concepts being employed in social gerontology. Far from a dictionary, the concepts are portrayed as complex, and conflicting definitions and usages are both noted and evaluated. The joint UK-US authorship promotes a much needed international approach to the field—something all too lacking in most American textbooks and theoretical articles. Each article includes a (necessarily selective) set of references, and cross-references to other concepts included in the book. Readers might enjoy a 'follow the cross-reference' adventure, which will situate each concept in a set of related concepts at the same, a broader, or a narrower level. Moreover, the coverage and evaluation of the concepts is right at the current leading edge in a rapidly moving field."
—Victor Marshall, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Social gerontology is a new and dynamic field reflecting the increasing interest in aging across the world. This book provides a readily accessible guide to well established and contested issues, as well as new concepts emerging through cutting edge research in the discipline.

The entries give concise, lucid knowledge on what constitutes the 'building blocks' of social gerontology and sets out a clear review of the core concepts, both classic and emerging, in this subject area.

Each concept is explored in terms of its:

  • History
  • Application
  • Usefulness to theory and research
  • Significance in practice

They go beyond simple definition of the concepts to look at how each issue has shaped the discipline of social gerontology today.

This book is authored by social gerontologists from the UK and the USA. Together they present an interdisciplinary perspective and reflect a global approach to the presentation of key concepts in social gerontology.


 
Introduction
 
Advocacy
 
Age Integration
 
Ageing
 
Ageing in Place
 
Ageism
 
Ambivalence
 
Assisted Living
 
Bereavement
 
Biographical Approaches
 
Care
 
Care Management
 
Civic Engagement
 
Cohort
 
Convoy Theory
 
Cultural Ideals
 
Death and Dying
 
Dementia
 
Disability
 
Elder Mistreatment/Abuse
 
Environmental Gerontology
 
Ethnicity
 
Euthanasia
 
Family Relations
 
Filial Responsibility
 
Frailty
 
Gender
 
Generations
 
Gerontology
 
Global Ageing
 
Housing
 
Independence
 
Intergenerational Practice
 
Life-Course Perspective
 
Lifelong Learning
 
Loneliness
 
Long-Term Care
 
Longevity
 
Palliative Care
 
Pensions
 
Population Ageing
 
Quality of Life
 
Religion/Spirituality
 
Retirement
 
Social Exclusion
 
Social Relations
 
Social Support
 
Social Theories of Ageing
 
Successful Ageing
 
Third and Fourth Ages
 
Triple Jeopardy

Material provides excellent grounding in topic

Mrs Karen Kinghorn
Social Policy, The University of Salford
September 7, 2010

I was very pleasantly surprised by this book. The concepts are very clear and very relevant, and fantastic for my group of undergraduate students who do not necessarily have English as a first language, nor who are used to reading about ageing issues. I found each concept to be succinctly and simply captured, holding enough information to satisfy initial cravings and complex enough to tempt further reading. For myself, and my students, the alphabetical ordering of each concept is actually comforting, and makes for very easy referencing during discussions. I had originally thought that this book would provide ‘supplementary’ reading as part of my “Healthy Ageing” course, but have changed my mind to “essential” reading now I have had the opportunity to read the entire book.

Dr Meredith Tavener
Demography, Groningen University (RuG)
August 20, 2010

This is a very clear and concise dictionary of concepts. It provides an easy to read explanation of key terms and an explanation of the research along with key references. This allows for easy follow up of the topics. This will make an excellent 'starting point' for a student who is new to a topic, or confused about where to start with research for an essay. This title will be useful in any course that includes issues related to ageing, and will also supplement topics within the broader sociology courses. It provides an over view of the key concepts and delivers what it promises in the title.

Mrs Julie Peet
SSPSSR, University of Kent
May 3, 2010

A useful text for any student studying social gerontology. It is extremely easy to dip into providing an introduction to a variety of topics.

Dr Liam Foster
Social Science , Sheffield University
April 29, 2010

I found some sections of this exremely useful and informative - particularly the multidisciplinary nature of the discourse.

Dr Vivienne Walkup
School of Education, Derby University
April 15, 2010

A good basic text which introduces the reader to the issues and concepts of social gerontology. The work would benefit from a more global and multi-cultural perspective, its current emphasis on the UK and the USA only provides the reader with a narrow perspective.

Mrs Lynda Millard
Nursing , Manchester University
April 12, 2010
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Sample Materials & Chapters

Introduction

Chapter One


For instructors

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