PrefacePrologueAbout the AuthorsBasic Concepts I. A Life Course Perspective on Aging Age Identification The Stages of Life The Life Course and Aging Traditional Theories of Aging Influences on the Life Course Aging in the 21st Century The Biology of Aging Aging and Psychological Functioning ConclusionControversy 1. Does Old Age Have Meaning? The Meaning of Age Leisure Activities in Later Life Religion and Spirituality Gerontology and the Meaning of Age Activity or Reflection? Questions for Writing, Reflection, and DebateControversy 2. Why Do Our Bodies Grow Old? The Process of Biological Aging Biological Theories of Aging Is Aging Inevitable? Ways to Prolong the Life Span Compression or Prolongation of Morbidity? Questions for Writing, Reflection, and DebateControversy 3. Do Intelligence and Creativity Decline With Age? Elements of Cognitive Function The Classic Aging Pattern Measures of Late-Life Intelligence Studies of Age and Cognitive Function Correlates of Cognitive Stability Creativity in an Aging Population Questions for Writing, Reflection, and DebateBasic Concepts II. Aging, Health Care, and Society The Challenge of Longevity Epidemiology of Aging Economics of Health Care Long-Term Care Self-Determined Death ConclusionControversy 4. Should We Ration Health Care for Older People? Precedents for Health Care Rationing The Justification for Age-Based Rationing Rationing as a Cost-Saving Plan The Impetus for Rationing Cost Versus Age Alternative Approaches to Rationing Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide The Debate Over Age-Based Rationing Questions for Writing, Reflection, and DebateControversy 5. Should Families Provide for Their Own? Aging and the American Family Abandonment or Independence? Family Responsibility Medicaid and Long-Term Care Financing Long-Term Care Medicaid Planning Questions for Writing, Reflection, and DebateControversy 6.
Should Older People Be Protected From Bad Choices? The Vulnerabilities of Older People Interfering When People Make Bad Choices Elder Abuse and Neglect Perceptions of Quality of Life Sexuality in Later Life Crime and Older Adults Intervention in the Lives of Vulnerable Older Adults Questions for Writing, Reflection, and DebateControversy 7. Should People Have the Choice to End Their Lives? Depression and Suicide The "Right to Die" Outlook for the Future Questions for Writing, Reflection, and DebateBasic Concepts III. Social and Economic Outlook for an Aging Society The Varieties of Aging Experience The Economic Status of Older Americans Public Policy on Aging ConclusionControversy 8. Should Age or Need Be the Basis for Entitlement? A Tale of Two Generations Justice Between Generations The Least-Advantaged Older Adults Help for Those Most in Need The Targeting Debate Questions for Writing, Reflection, and DebateControversy 9. What Is the Future for Social Security? Main Features of Social Security Success--and Doubt Pay as You Go Social Security Trust Fund Eligibility Privatization Women and Social Security Debate Over Social Security Questions for Writing, Reflection, and DebateControversy 10. Is Retirement Obsolete? History of Retirement Origins of Late-Life Leisure Changes in the American Economy A New View of Retirement Debate Over Retirement Policy Questions for Writing, Reflection, and DebateControversy 11. Aging Boomers: Boom or Bust? Who Are the Boomers? What Is a Generation? Age-Period-Cohort Analysis Social Construction of the Boomer Phenomenon Boomers in the Years Ahead Questions for Writing, Reflection, and DebateControversy 12. The New Aging Marketplace: Hope or Hype? The New Customer Majority Market Sectors Likely to Grow What Do Older Consumers Want? Limits of the Marketplace Model Questions for Writing, Reflection, and DebateEpilogue: Finding Your Place in an Aging SocietyAppendix: How to Research a Term Paper in GerontologyGlossaryBibliographyIndex.