Gerontological Practice for the Twenty-first Century: A Social Work Perspective / Edition 1

by Virginia Richardson , Ph.D., Amanda Barusch , Ph.D.

Overview

Gerontological Practice for the Twenty-first Century meets the need for state-of-the-art information on practice approaches with older patients that are age-specific and empirically based, blend "micro" and "macro" views, and reflect current themes in the aging and social work fields. The book is designed as a text for students and as a professional resource for practitioners. Clearly written, the book offers an expert and comprehensive review of the current literature and focuses on issues relating to the most vulnerable older people. Gerontological Practice for the Twenty-first Century also features case illustrations throughout and brief end-of-chapter questions for review.

The book has four parts. Part 1 reviews current and classic theories of aging and proposes an original framework for an integrative approach to practice with older people that incorporates both individual and policy-level interventions. The approach is based on current themes such as a life course perspective, heterogeneity, diversity, and inequality. Part 2 covers such common and important psychological problems among older individuals, as anxiety, depression, suicide, substance abuse, and dementia, and describes appropriate, evidence-based interventions. Part 3 considers the social psychological picture by discussing working with older families, end-of-life care, bereavement, and work and retirement. Part 4 focuses on core sociopolitical issues in the lives of older people: economic policy, poverty, health policy, quality-of-life concerns, and social services.

Current, authoritative, and original, this single-volume gerontology resource will be of valuable use to graduate students and practitioners.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780231107488
Publisher:	Columbia University Press
Publication date:	12/07/2005
Series:	End-of-Life Care: A Series
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	512
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x (d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Virginia E. Richardson is a professor at the Ohio State University College of Social Work. She is the author or coauthor of several books, including Retirement Counseling: A Handbook for Gerontology Practitioners.Amanda S. Barusch is a professor at the University of Otago in Dunedin, New Zealand. She is the author of several books, including Foundations of Social Policy: Social Justice in Human Perspective.

Table of Contents

Preface
Acknowledgments
Overview and Theoretical Perspectives
Social Work Practice in the Twenty-first Century
Theories of Aging
Integrated Gerontological Practice
Stages in Gerontological Practice
Psychological Problems and Interventions
Anxiety Reactions Among Older People
Depression Among Older People
Suicide Among Older People
Substance Abuse Among Older People
Dementia
Social Psychological Problems and Interventions
Social Workers and Aging Families
Social Work Practice and End-of-Life Care
Bereavement in Later Life
Work and Retirement
Sociopolitical Issues
Economic Policies and Aging
Poverty and Aging
Health Policies and Aging
Improving the Quality of Life: Social Services and Aging
References
Subject Index
Name Index

What People are Saying About This

Nancy R. Hooyman

Richardson and Barusch's book is what that I have long hoped to see published for practice courses, whether a specialized course or foundation courses that infuse knowledge, values, and skills for working effectively with older adults. The authors address a wide range of issues affecting older adults, such as depression, substance abuse, and dementia as well as various life transitions of retirement and end-of-life care. Themes and concepts underlying this practice text are multiculturalism, empowerment, and social justice. Their integrated practice model incorporates macro and micro levels of intervention. They are to be congratulated on their contribution to gerontological social work practice and education.

Editorial Reviews

An insightful, authoritative, and practical resource.

Activities, Adaptation, & Aging - Robin J. Jacobs

Infusing a multidisciplinary life course and diversity perspective, Gerontological Practice for the Twenty-first Century offers a comprehensive and practical resource for understanding the contemporary needs of elders and their family members in social psychological and sociopolitical contexts. The authors give thoughtful attention to the historical and contemporary factors contributing to the experience of aging and their implications for gerontological social work practice and policy.

Betty J. Kramer

This book would serve well as required reading... Highly Recommended.

Choice

A highly recommendable book for all professionals in the field.

Gerontology - Hannes Staehelin

The only textbook in gerontological social work to provide comprehensive coverage of both policy and practice. The rich case studies interwoven into each chapter illustrate the complexities of today's field of aging. Yet it also lends itself well as an interdisciplinary resource because of the depth of coverage of a wide range of topics.

Connie Corley

A highly recommendable book for all professionals in the field.

— Hannes Staehelin

Gerontology