Gerontological Practice for the Twenty-first Century

Book excerpt: Gerontological Practice for the Twenty-first Century provides state-of-the-art information on practice approaches with older patients that are age-specific and empirically based. Part 1 reviews current and classic theories of aging and proposes an original framework to practice that incorporates both individual and policy-level interventions. Part 2 covers such psychological problems as anxiety, depression, suicide, substance abuse, and dementia, and describes appropriate, evidence-based interventions. Part 3 discusses working with older families, end-of-life care, bereavement, and work and retirement, and part 4 focuses on core sociopolitical issues in the lives of older people, such as economic policy, poverty, health policy, quality-of-life concerns, and social services. Designed as a text for students and as a professional resource for practitioners, this book is a comprehensive review of the current literature and contains authoritative information on issues relating to a vulnerable population in need of sophisticated care.