Aging in the Social Environment examines the aging process from micro, mezzo, and macro lenses. The micro lens looks at individual processes of aging including biological, emotional, spiritual, and psychological factors along with such topics as health, resilience, sexuality, and creativity as we age. The mezzo lens looks at processes beyond the individual including work, roles, family, caregiving, living arrangements, religious involvement, and health care. The macro lens looks at factors including culture, media, laws, policies, language, and stereotypes about aging. Chapters integrate information from an intersectional perspective: topics are discussed examining such factors as age, class, race, ethnicity, geography, culture, gender identification, and sexual orientation. Also, topics are approached using queer, feminist, and strengths-based approaches instead of a problem-based approach, as used in most texts. These approaches help students to critically think about current, entrenched attitudes about aging and to look at aging processes from different perspectives. The book gives attention throughout to the use of language and stereotypes for the aging process, and incorporates new, strengths-based language (e.g., third age) to provide readers with alternative ways of thinking and talking about aging. Finally, the book is organized using a human development approach to integrate aging more thoroughly with the entire developmental process rather than treating it as a separate, distinct process in human development that occurs at the end of life.

Table of Contents:
Chapter 1. Gerontology: The Study of Aging 1.1 What is Gerontology? I.Population Aging II.Consequences of Population Aging 1.2 Careers in Gerontology 1.3 Common Theories of Aging I. Biopsychosocial Theories II. Additional Perspectives on Aging 1.4 What is Ageism? 1.5 Types of Ageism I. Middle-ageism II. Neuroageism III. Benevolent Ageism IV. Individual and Institutional Ageism 1.6 How Culture Influences the Perception of Aging I. Media and Literature II. Interplay of Complex Factors 1.7 Consequences of Ageism I.Effect on Physical and Mental Health II.Effect on Health Care III. Othering IV. Microaggressions V. Effect on Social Policy 1.8 A More Positive View of Aging I. Successful Aging II. Optimal Aging III. Avoiding Ageist Language Chapter 2. Biology of Aging 2.1 Defining "Age" I. Subjective Age II. Intersectional Factors that Affect Aging 2.2 Age and Human Development 2.3 Cross-Cultural Perspectives on Biological Aging 2.4 Theories of Biological Aging I. Genetic (Programmed) Theory II. Wear-and-Tear and Mitochondrial Theories 2.5 Age-Related Changes by Body System I. Skin and Hair II. Senses: Hearing and Vision III. Musculoskeletal System IV. Immune System V. Endocrine System VI. Central Nervous System: The Brain Dementia Treatment for Dementia 2.6 Promoting Health and Longevity I. Health Disparities and Older Adults II. Promoting Health and Well-Being Nutrition Physical Activity Behavioral and Environmental Accommodations Chapter 3. Psychology of Aging 3.1 Theories of Psychological Age I. Erikson's Psychosocial Stages of Development II. Peck's Theory of Ego Integrity III. Intersectional and Cultural Factors IV. Intersection of Age and Gender V. Intersections of Other Characteristics 3.2 Personality and Emotion I. Personality and Aging II. Emotion and Aging 3.3 Learning I. Cognitive Plasticity II. Preserving Healthy Brain Function III. Overcoming Barriers to Learning 3.4 Mental Health I. Depression II. Anxiety III. Substance Use Disorders IV. Suicide V. Screening and Diagnosis VI. Treatment Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Narrative and Reminiscence Therapies Medications 3.5 Resiliency, Creativity, Productivity, and Wisdom I. Resiliency II. Creativity III. Productivity IV. Wisdom 3.6 Spirituality Chapter 4. Sociology of Aging 4.1 Social Theories of Aging I. Disengagement Theory II. Activity Theory III. Continuity Theory IV. Life Course Model of Social Functioning V. Social Convoy Model 4.2 Social Connectedness I. Physical and Mental Health Benefits II. Social Connectedness Across Cultures 4.3 Social Connection via Friendships I. Evolving Social Networks II. Benefits of Friendship III. Friendships Among LGBT Older Adults IV. Female vs. Male Friend Groups V. Intergenerational Friendships 4.4 Social Connection via Sexuality and Intimacy I. Beliefs About Sexuality II. Decreased Sexual Activity III. Differences Between Population Groups IV. Risk of Sexually Transmitted Disease V. Influence of Technology Chapter 5. Death and End-of-Life Issues 5.1 What is Death? I. Defining Physical Death II. Physical Process of Dying III. Perceptions of Death 5.2 End-of-Life Rights and Choices I. Right to Die II. Death with Dignity Legislation III. Hospice Care IV. Disparities at End of Life 5.3 Preparing for End of Life 5.4 Experiencing Grief and Loss I. Types of Grief II. Theories and Models of Grief Kübler-Ross Theory Other Models of Grief III. Awareness of Death 5.5 Memorializing and Taking Care of the Dead I. Disposition of Bodies Green Burials Organ, Tissue, and Body Donation II. Memorialization After Death III. Impact of COVID Pandemic on Funeral Practices Chapter 6. Family and Caregiving 6.1 Defining "Family" 6.2 Theories of Family and Aging I. Family Development Theory II. Theory of Intergenerational Solidarity and Conflict III. Theory of Intergenerational Ambivalence 6.3 Familial Roles and Relationships I. Marriage and Long-Term Partnerships II. Defining a "Good" Marriage III. Divorce III. Parents and Adult Children Adult Children with Challenges Effects of Increased Longevity IV. Sibling Relationships V. Blended Families Negotiation of Boundary Ambiguity Intergenerational Resource Exchange Filial Norms and Expectations VI. Multigenerational Families and Households Demographics Benefits and Drawbacks of Multigenerational Living VII. Grandparents and Grandchildren Role of Grandparents Caring for Grandchildren VIII. Companion Animals 6.4 Caring for Older Adults I. Adults with Dementia II. Informal Care Rewards and Challenges Support for Caregivers III. Formal Care IV. Impact on Caregivers V. Person- and Family-Centered Care 6.5 Elder Abuse I. Factors That Contribute to Elder Abuse Caregiving Situations Intergenerational Ambivalence II. Families with a History of Violence III. Prevention and Intervention Strategies Chapter 7. Work and Retirement 7.1 Work and Older Adults I. The Nature of Work II. U.S. Labor Trends III. Generational Perspective IV. Ageism in the Workplace Intergenerational Work Teams Abolishing Mandatory Retirement Antidiscrimination Laws V. Caregiving and Work 7.2 Retirement I. Sense of Purpose and Longevity II. Effects of Retirement III. Phases of Retirement 7.3 Financial Support in Retirement 7.4 Volunteerism and Community Involvement 7.5 Lifelong Learning Chapter 8. Living Arrangements 8.1 Housing and Care Options for Older Adults I. Types of Residential Facilities and Communities II. Older Adults with Special Needs 8.2 Aging in Place I. The Importance of Place II. Research on Aging in Place III. Changing Needs Over Time 8.3 Theories and Approaches to Place and Aging I. Environmental Gerontology II. Geographical Gerontology 8.4 Older Adults in Urban and Rural Environments 8.5 The Importance of Neighborhoods I. Gentrification II. Urban Neighborhoods: Challenges, Resources, and Resilience Detroit Minneapolis 8.6 Housing Options for Older Adults I. Historical Background II. The Housing Continuum III. Innovative Solutions Age-Friendly Communities Villages LGBT 65+ Housing Initiatives Home Sharing Communal Living Intergenerational Programming and Communities IV. Housing for Low-Income Seniors V. Continuing Care Retirement Communities VI. Assisted Living Facilities VII. Supportive Housing VIII. Nursing Homes IX COVID-19 and Long-Term Care Facilities 8.7 Living Arrangements of Vulnerable Populations I. Older Adults in Prison II. Older Victims of Domestic Abuse III. Older Adults Without Housing Chapter 9. Community Resources and Connectedness 9.1 The Importance of Connection I. Defining Community II. Community Resources III. Self-Determination and Social Usefulness IV. Social Connection and Social Isolation 9.2 Religious and Spiritual Communities I. Spiritual Practices II. Benefits of Religious and Spiritual Involvement 9.3 Recreation and Community Involvement I. Sports and Fitness II. Travel III. The Arts IV. Volunteer Work V. Socializing in "Third Places" 9.4 Health Care Services I. Access to Health Care II. Primary Care III. Geriatricians IV. Age-Friendly Health Care V. Treatment Programs 9.5 Social Services for Older Adults and Their Families I. Prevention Services II. Adult Day Care III. In-Home Personal Care IV. Protective Services V. Support Services VI. Resource Brokerage and Linkage Chapter 10. Media and Technology 10.1 Media and Older Adults I. News Media II. Educational and Entertainment Media III. Ageism in the Media IV. Social Media 10.2 Technology Use by Older Adults I. Access to Technology II. Combating Stereotypes III. Technology Use for Lifelong Learning IV. Technology Use for Social Connection and Entertainment V. Technology Use to Improve Health VI. Digital Literacy VII. Online Safety 10.3 Technology and End of Life Chapter 11. Global Trends in Aging 11.1 Global Aging I. United Nations Initiatives Related to Aging II. Population Aging III. Living Arrangements IV. Life Expectancy and Health V. Work and Retirement VI. Ageism Worldwide 11.2 Culture and Aging I. Cross-National Comparisons II. Cross-Cultural Comparisons III. Cultural Influences on Aging 11.3 Aging in the United States in Global Context I. U.S. Life Expectancy II. Foreign-Born Population 11.4 Immigration, Migration, and Aging I. Who Migrates and Why? II. Older Adults in Home Countries III. Older Immigrants in Destination Countries Early vs. Late-Life Immigrants Older Refugees Fleeing War and Terror Legal Status and Threat of Deportation 11.5 Aging and Climate Change I. Climate Change and Migration II. Health Impacts of Climate Change III. Climate Change and Natural Disasters Chapter 12. Legal, Policy, and Economic Issues That Affect Older U.S. Adults 12.1 Social Policies and Legislation I. Social Policy and Aging Policy II. History of U.S. Aging Policies III. Social Security Beneficiaries Retirement Age Sustainability IV. Medicare V. Medicaid VI. Affordable Care Act VII. Older Americans Act VIII. Long-Term Care Services and Supports Cost of Long-Term Care Quality of Long-Term Care IX. Elder Justice Act X. Americans with Disabilities Act XI. Assistance for Low-Income Older Adults 12.2 Poverty, Inequality, and Cumulative Disadvantage I. Poverty Measurement II. Who is Poor? Variance Between Population Groups Cumulative Advantage/Disadvantage III. Poverty and Cumulative Disadvantage 12.3 Political Participation and Advocacy I. Voting Patterns of Older Adults II. Intersection of Politics and Policy III. Advocacy Organizations AARP Gray Panthers Leadership Council of Aging Organizations Other Organizations