On Being Old

Presents the foundations for understanding gerontology. Chapter-by-chapter it addresses different aspects of ageing such as personality changes and adjustments, cognitive loss in old age and abnormal ageing. It is aimed at A level and BSc students, lecturers, nurses, social workers and therapists.

Graham Stokes.

Part 1 Age and ageing: an ageing society; the biology of ageing; the psychology of ageing; social age and social ageing. Part 2 Psychological products and processes: intellectual products in old age; cognitive processes in later life; learning and memory; wisdom, creative achievement and ageing. Part 3 Social adaptation in old age: personality, adjustment and ageing; family ties and friendships in later life; the meaning of work, the impact of retirement; sexual interest and activity in later life; death, dying and bereavement. Part 4 Abnormal ageing: Dementia - The Silent Epidemic; Emotional Disorder And Physical disability in later life.