Women as They Age

Abstract

Contents * About the Editors * Contributors * Part I: Introduction * Chapter 1. Introduction: Accomplishments of Women As They Age * Accomplishments of Older Women * Overview of Contents * Chapter 2. Older Women: A Global View * The Aging Planet * Longevity: A Not-So-Delicate Balance * Marital Status * Employment * Income: The Haves and Have Nots * Health * Conclusion * Part II: Multidisciplinary Perspectives * Chapter 3. A Sociological Perspective on Women and Aging As the Millennium Turns * What Is a Sociological Perspective on Women and Aging? * What Is New? * Constraints Revealed and Emerging * What Is Next? * Chapter 4. Women and Aging: A Psychological Perspective * What Is a Psychological Perspective? * Biological, Social, and Environmental Influences * Historical Overview of Psychological Research on Women * Mental Processes and Aging * Personality Variables and Aging * Psychosocial Factors That Influence Well-Being * Conclusions * Chapter 5. Social Work Practice with Women As They Age * Clinical Social Work with Women in Middle Years * Clinical Social Work Services for Elderly Women * Summary and Recommendations * Chapter 6. Mental Health of Elderly Women * Anxiety * Depression * Suicide * Alcohol Problems * Problems with Medications * Dementia * Elder Abuse * Chapter 7. Ethnic Minority Women As They Age * Ethnic Minority Status As Disadvantage * Ethic Minority Culture As Advantage * Conclusion and Comments * Part III: Special Issues * Chapter 8. Older Women's Relationships: Weaving Lives Together * Committed Partners * Perpetual Mothers * Influential Grandmothers * Supportive Sisters * Close Friends * Conclusions * Chapter 9. Grandmothers Raising Grandchildren: Parenting the Second Time Around * Demographic Characteristics * Developmental Issues * Consequences of Caregiving * Needs and Resources * The Future * Chapter 10. Sexuality and Intimacy for Aging Women: A Changing Perspective * Who Are Older Women? * Issues That Affect Sexuality in Older Women * Physical Changes in Sexuality * Special Populations * Interventions to Enhance Sexuality and Intimacy * Professional Contacts with Older Women * Future Trends * Chapter 11. Long-Term Care and the New Millennium * Introduction * What Is Long-Term Care? * A Continuum of Care? * Financing Long-Term Care: Who Pays? * Quality of Care in Nursing Homes * A Growth Industry * Caring for Others, Now Being Cared For * Alternatives to Nursing Homes * The Oldest Old and the Next Millennium * Chapter 12. The End of Aging: Women and Death * Confronting Loss * Facing Our Own Death * Conclusion * Part IV: Policies and Resources * Chapter 13. Public Policy Effects on the Health Care of Older Women: Who Is in Charge? * Introduction * Public Policy and Legislative Trends * Consumer Plans for Health Care * Health Care Treatment * Future Changes in Health Care * Chapter 14. A Practical Resource Guide * The Older Americans Act * Income Programs * Health Care Insurance and Services * Nutrition and Food Programs * Housing * Transportation * Home Health and Hospice Care * Homemaker Chore Services * Mental Health Services * Institutionalization * Part V: Conclusions * Chapter 15. Conclusions: Empowerment and Self-Determination * Empowerment * Self-Determination * Chapter 16. Animal Wisdom * Index * Reference Notes Included