Social Gerontology: A Multidisciplinary Perspective

by Nancy R. Hooyman, H. Asuman Kiyak, H. Asuman Kivak

Presents the diversity of the aging experience and the older population in an interdisciplinary manner. Reviews major demographic, historical, and cross-cultural changes and their implications for the field of social gerontology, then looks at biological, physiological, and psychological changes of aging, and social theories. A final section examines the larger context of social and health policies. Includes b&w photos and chapter summaries. This edition reflects new research in the field, and expands material on women and minorities. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

542 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1988

Reviews

[Aimee J Martin]

This is a current required textbook for my Social Gerontology class. Although I gravitate toward the study of the aging, as the 'baby-boomers' population (my parents age group) is now the largest population of elderly, the book is very tedious. The chapters are HUGE (30-40 page chapters) and seem never-ending. One of my main social work focal areas is Gerontology, but I am implementing that study independently, not as a minor. I really want to know and learn how to help my parents as they age, empower and enable them with the tools to do what I call 'Age with Grace' and embrace the aging process and all the other biological and cognitive processes that go along with getting older.

Again, the book is very long ~800 pages, but extremely informative and can be kept on my shelf when I complete this class as a resource tool for myself and my parents.

[Brandy]

Boring.

[Benjamin Hill]

It's a terrible book. It's dense and clunky.

[Anna]

The chapters were very long and often were filled (at least in my edition) with typos. The authors had a habit of referring to things in future chapters as if they had already discussed it, which would be a little hard to figure out if you didn't come from a social services/health care background.

[Terri Lynn]

This proves that a textbook can be fascinating reading. We all are aging and the Baby Boomers like me are doing it our way rather than how people used to age. This book shows the new reality and possibilities. I am 56 and my husband is 60 so this book was of huge interest to us.

[Dolly]

I read this as part of a Gerontology college course. As other reviews have mentioned, the chapters can drag on a bit, I felt that it did a good job of teaching fundamentals of social gerontology.

[Jennifer FitzPatrick]

I have been using this for teaching gerontology for over 15 years and have loved each new edition.