For people with dementia, the world can become a lonely and isolated place. Music has long been a vital instrument in transcending cognitive issues; bringing people together, and allowing a person to live in the moment. Connecting through Music with People with Dementia explains how a caregiver can learn to use melody or rhythm to connect with someone who may be otherwise non-responsive, and how memories can be stimulated by music that resonates with a part of someone's past.This u...

With stories focused on the lives of marginalized people, Cars on Fire transmutes loss and pain into an ode about the multiplicity of love.

"[This book] has been honedÖinto an elegant compendium. This outstanding work should be widely read -- it is perhaps the best example of an integrative approach to gerontology." Score: 94, 4 stars--Doody'sThis book serves as an authoritative textbook and guide to the physical changes and common pathologies associated with the aging process, with special emphasis on the psychological and social implications of these changes in the lives of older adu...

People living with severe or profound multiple disabilities (PMLD) can often struggle to connect with the world around them. This book shows how, through enjoying dramatic interaction, they can develop their communication skills, learn to deal with emotions more effectively and gain a greater understanding of their physical and social environment.This guide presents a variety of ways in which drama can be used as a medium for assisting the social and emotional development of people...

In 1998, Hallmark unveiled their new "One-Hundredth-Birthday" cards, and by 2007 annual sales were at 85,000. America is rapidly graying: between now and 2030, the number of people in the U.S. over the age of 80 is expected to almost triple. But how long people live raises the question of how well they live. Aging Our Way follows the everyday lives of 30 elders (ages 85-102) living at home and mostly alone to understand how they create and maintain meaningful lives for th...

This highly practical volume presents valuable insights for all professionals who provide activities for the impaired elderly. It will serve as a helpful resource for both those who work directly with the aged in institutional settings, as well for those who train activities counselors.Therapeutic Activities With the Impaired Elderly addresses a number of pertinent issues and provides useful information on designing and implementing recreation and socialization programs, memory improvement...

For the increasing number of people diagnosed with dementia each year, treatment in the early stages can make a significant difference to their quality of life. This book provides examples of psychosocial interventions: taking into consideration the individual, social and environmental aspects of the person's life.It looks at ways of providing support at the time of diagnosis and goes on to explore a variety of interventions and services for the treatment of early dementia. Bringin...

Navigating the Journey of Aging Parents proposes an entirely unique approach to the field of gerontology, giving dependent care receivers a voice.Caregivers will be made aware of what care receivers truly want during life's final chapters. Exploring issues of housing, spirituality, personal care and death, Cheryl Kuba has created a testament to the dependent elderly. This book draws on numerous interviews with aging people and discusses common caregiver mistakes and interp...

Doody's Score: 91, 4 Stars"[This] book's unfading preoccupation with social context, social processes, and social structures distinguishes itself and greatly contributes to the discourse in gerontology."--The GerontologistThis is a comprehensive textbook for both undergraduate and graduate level courses, detailing the impact of societal forces on the aging process. The book focuses on the diversity of the older population, examining it from...

Health, Illness, and Optimal Aging: Biological and Psychosocial Perspectives, Third Edition shows the continuity and advancements in our understanding of human life-span development… It offers a solid foundation for exploring the art and science of successful aging.- Robert M. Kaplan, Stanford University

Aging in the Designed Environment is the key sourcebook for physical and occupational therapists developing and implementing environmental designs for the aging. The physical environment remains one of the most overlooked areas in environmental design. In order to move beyond this status quo, persons responsible for planning elderly environments must develop a new understanding of ways in which their influence can improve the older adult’s physical and mental functioning. Occupational and ...

“It is with great pleasure that I encourage you all to read and share the amazing wealth of information provided in this edition of The Annual Review of Gerontology …This volume brings together an incredible amount of work in the area of physical activity and specifically exercise, and the challenges we face in engaging older adults in optimal amounts and intensities of activity. The authors…have done a remarkable job of highlighting practical ways to share information that i...