Ageing in Australia ― Challenges and Opportunities

This stimulating volume examines the many faces of Australia’s ageing population, the social and health issues they contend with, and the steps being taken—and many that should be taken—to help ensure a more positive and productive later life. Individual and societal ageing are conceptualized as developmental in nature, socially diverse, and marked by daily life challenges stemming from the country’s economic structures, attitudes, geography, political landscape, and infrastructure. Wide-ranging coverage (e.g., health, inequalities, employment, transportation) assesses options available to older people, and the role of families, employers, service providers, government agencies, and others in promoting or expanding those choices. The book’s double emphasis on challenges in older people’s lives and opportunities for enhancing their quality of life is on clear display as case studies examine policy issues—and propose solutions—in a societal and individual context.

 

Included in the coverage:

 

· Australian developments in ageing: issues and history.

· Cultural diversity, health, and ageing.

· Indigenous Australians and ageing: responding to diversity in policy and practice.

· Enhancing the health and employment participation of older workers.

· Housing and the environments of ageing.

· Health services and care for older people.

 

The rich examples in Ageing in Australia contain a depth of understanding and evidence for sociologists, gerontologists and psychologists studying ageing, health care professionals providing care to older people, and policy analysts assessing areas for improvement.

 

Kate O'Loughlin, PhD is a senior lecturer in health sociology in the Faculty of Health Sciences and is a member of the Ageing, Work and Health Research Unit at the University of Sydney. Dr. O'Loughlin's primary research interest is in aging with a focus on behaviors and exposures across the life course and the effect of these on health outcomes in later life. Her other research interests are in occupational health, specifically the injury and rehabilitation of mature aged workers, and in workplace practice issues related to health care professionals. Hal Kendig, PhD is a research professor of aging and health at the University of Sydney where he heads the newly established Ageing, Work, and Health Research Unit in the Faculty of Health Sciences. Professor Kendig is a gerontologist and sociologist with expertise in longitudinal survey research, health behaviors, socio-economic resources, housing and health, and community care services and policies. He is co-director with co-editor Colette Browning of the ongoing Melbourne Longitudinal Surveys of Healthy Ageing (MELSHA), which has determined that healthy lifestyles are predicted by psychosocial factors; improvable even after health setbacks; and predict survival, functioning, and well-being. Colette Browning , PhD is a professor and director of the Healthy Ageing Research Unit on the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences at Monash University. Her research focuses on improving the quality of life for older people, chronic disease self-management, and consumer involvement in health care decision making. She is a member of the International Research Centre for Healthy Ageing and Longevity International Scientific Advisory Committee (2007-present), on the editorial boards of Gerontology and Australian Psychologist, and an executive board member of the College of Health Psychologists of the Australian Psychological Society.