Health Promotion and Aging: Practical Applications for Health Professionals

by David Haber

Praise for the fifth edition: "I applaud Dr. Haber for addressing key concepts and issues in health promotion and aging, and making them accessible, respectful, mindful, and empowering."

-Marilyn R. Gugliucci, PhD?
Director, Geriatrics Education and Research, University of New England Past President, AGHE

"David Haber has done it again! ...A must-have for students and faculty alike." -Barbara Resnick, PhD, CRNP, FAAN

Substantially revised and updated, the sixth edition of this classic text continues to define healthy aging by illustrating how to prevent disease and make large-scale improvements toward health and wellness. New to this edition is current information regarding the future of Medicare, Social Security, and the Affordable Care Act, information about the Healthy People 2020 initiative supported with examples, up-to-date and comprehensive medical screening recommendations, and an extensive review of new developments in complementary and alternative medicine, geriatric mental health, community health, and public health policy. A new section on technology and aging is also included, as well as an instructor's manual.

The text synthesizes current research findings with practical applications, and includes detailed and updated descriptions of the author's own programs that have been recognized by the National Council on the Aging's Best Practices in Health Promotion and Aging. New to this Edition:

Up-to-date coverage of the future of Medicare, Social Security, the Affordable Care Act, and the Healthy People 2020 initiative New section on technology and aging Current developments in complementary and alternative medicine New findings regarding geriatric physical and mental health and community health Current information about exercise, nutrition and weight management Updated information on public health policy Current trends in long-term care and end-of-life-care Updated sociodemographic trends Instructor's manual

536 pages, Paperback

First published October 28, 2003

Reviews

[JC · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm in current possession of the 8th edition of this book for a health class requirement. I'm only three days into this course and I'm about to rip my hair out with how frustrating this textbook is. Citing Wiki links, throwing in fluff information about "super-duper-centenarians," and generally jumping around citing information that's split among multiple sections is beginning to give me cognitive whiplash. I can't recall the last time I was this upset, if ever, at the way a textbook was written. Here's an actual excerpt from the text in a section on aging trends:

"One scientist is not content with being a mere supercentenarian. Aubrey de Grey is a controversial practitioner of biogerontology, which focuses on the biology, physiology, and genetics of aging. He believes that the first person who will live to be 1,000 might be age 60 today. (A more modest and credible assertion by Christensen, Doblhammer, Rau, and Vaupel [2009] is that 50% of women born today in the most-developed countries will celebrate their 100th birthday.)

Although de Grey's ideas are far from the scientific mainstream, he has inspired considerable interest in his theories, having been invited to deliver dozens of presentations in the United States. This interest may have been stimulated in part by his offer of a $20,000 cash prize for anyone who can disprove the scientific basis of his theories, as determined by a review panel of independent molecular biologists. His provocative ideas on increased longevity range from stem cells that can regrow diseased tissue to implanting bacteria to clean up waste that builds up inside cells.

If the Englishman turns out to be right, supercentenarians will have to take a back seat to thousandarians (granderians? millennerians?)"

I'm sorry, what the fuck? Why is de Grey's notion of people's capability to live to 1,000 without a drop of proof (which, by the way, cunty as hell for this guy to make a claim and then not even understand he's the one responsible for the burden of proof; may as well be asking for people to disprove the existence of a god with this one) being included in a section regarding actual statistics of life expectancy? Q-Anon has also inspired considerable interest in their theories, but that does not make them a source to consider when we're discussing information discovered via the scientific method.

This textbook will have a paragraph of redundant stats mentioned two pages prior followed by nonsense like this. I'm sincerely put off by the course for this reason and wonder if my professor purposely chose an obtuse book to "stimulate conversation" in our discussion boards.

[Melissa Cowder · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a textbook for one of my college courses. It's easy to read, contains great information and provides appropriate personalized comments and humor. It's not dry like so many textbooks tend to be. One of the better textbooks I've seen, by far.

Even for those not taking a course, this would be a beneficial read for those wanting general knowledge on health and aging or those in the health field.

[Rosie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book covers just about every topic imaginable regarding the health and well-being of older adults. There are relevant examples regarding policy changes and healthcare practices. I read this for one of my classes called Healthcare Issues Later in Life. It's a good guide to use for healthcare providers, students, or adults as well.

[Neda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the sixth edition for my course. It’s an amazing book that I will continually reread!