HS201: Perspectives in Gerontology

Fall Semester 2002

 

 

SOME INTERNET RESOURCES ON AGING

General Resources

  1. A Web site developed and maintained by the Administration on Aging; Site is designed for use by students and researchers interested in gerontological topics: http://www.aoa.dhhs.gov/research.html
  2. .Internet Information Notes: Links to major web resources on selected topics and issues in Aging. A Web site maintained by the National Aging Information Center (Administration on Aging): http://www.aoa.dhhs.gov/NAIC/Notes/default.htm
  3. New York Online Access to Health (NOAH) has an excellent Web site that may be of interest to students enrolled in this course: http://www.noah-health.org
  4. Web site for the U.S. National Library of Medicine: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/
  5. Gerontology Library - Web Links. A Web site developed and maintained by the Andrus Gerontology Center at the University of Southern California. The site is intended to be useful for the educators, researchers, practitioners, and other individuals interested in the study of gerontology and geriatrics: http://www.usc.edu/isd/locations/science/gerontology/web_resources.htm. Also see: http://www.usc.edu/isd/locations/science/gerontology/socsourc.htm
  6. Administration on Aging (AOA): topical links:http://www.aoa.dhhs.gov/NAIC/Notes/default.htm
  7. Administration on Aging (AOA) - Statistical Information on Older Persons: http://www.aoa.dhhs.gov/aoa/stats/statpage.html
  8. 1Administration on Aging (AOA) – GAO Reports related to Aging:http://www.aoa.dhhs.gov/naic/GAO/default.htm
  9. Administration on Aging (AOA) – Directory of Websites on Aging: http://www.aoa.gov/agingsites/

The Graying of America: A Revolution in Longevity

  1. A 2000 statistical profile of older Americans: http://www.aoa.dhhs.gov/aoa/stats/profile/default.htm
  2. Aging in the 21st Century, a special report prepared by Jacob Siegel under contract with the Administration on Aging, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: http://www.aoa.dhhs.gov/aoa/stats/aging21/
  3. Age data (national, state and county levels) from the U.S. Bureau of the Census: http://www.census.gov/population/www/socdemo/age.html
  4. Aging Population News Releases from the U.S. Bureau of the Census: http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/aging.html

Aging, Health Care, and Society: The Challenge of Longevity/The Promise of Prevention

  1. Website of the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), the Federal Government's principal vital and health statistics agency: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/pubs/pubd/hus/hus.htm. Note: This site contains the 1999 version of the NCHS Health and Aging Chartbook. Students enrolled in the course will likely find this site to be very helpful in obtaining data (in tabular/graph formats) on a wide range of health statistics involving older adults.
  2. Health Promotion and Disease Prevention in the Elderly, an article by Daly & Katzel: http://cpmcnet.columbia.edu/dental/Dental_Educational_Software/Gerontology_and_Geriatric_Dentistry/prevention/prevention.html
  3. Healthy People - is the prevention agenda for a nation of healthy people. This Web site contains a statement of national opportunities to prevent preventable threats to health: http://web.health.gov/healthypeople/

The Aging Body: Nobody Ever Died of Old Age

  1. An article on "Normal Aging" by Elizabeth L. Rogers, M.D. (Duke University Medical Center); see sections of the article that address physiologic changes. Note: article appears on a Website sponsored by the Multidisciplinary Education in Geriatrics and Aging Program at Columbia University: http://cpmcnet.columbia.edu/dept/dental/Dental_Educational_Software/Gerontology_and_Geriatric_Dentistry/introduction.html#mainindex
  2. In Search of the Secrets of Aging, a book published by the National Institute on Aging. Online version available at: http://www.nih.gov/nia/health/pubs/secrets-of-aging/

The Role of Physical Activity in Later Life: Use it or Lose It

  1. There is increasing evidence that links lifestyle choices to longevity and good health in the later years. Among lifestyle choices is engagement in physical activity and exercise. It is clear that most adults understand at least some of the benefits of being physically active. The challenge to fitness and aging advocates is to reinforce this awareness and mobilize individuals to take action on their own behalf. The links at this website (developed and maintained by the National Aging Information Center) lead to basic facts about the benefits of fitness, to research studies and statistics, and to fitness related organizations: http://www.aoa.dhhs.gov/NAIC/Notes/exerciseandfitness.html
  2. Center for Activity and Aging (CAA) at the University of Western Ontario and Lawson Research Institute. CAA is a cross-disciplinary research organization to study the inter-relationship of physical activity and aging in order to maintain the aging population in independent lifestyles. The website contains information on CAA's research programs, community programs and the monthly on-line newsletter. http://www.uwo.ca/actage/
  3. Fitness facts for older Americans, prepared by the Administration on Aging: http://www.aoa.dhhs.gov/aoa/eldractn/fitfact.html

Nutrition and Aging: You are What you Eat

  1. Nutrition and Food Safety, a Web site developed and maintained by the National Aging Information Center (Administration on Aging): http://www.aoa.dhhs.gov/NAIC/Notes/nutrition.html
  2. A Web site developed and maintained by the Food and Nutrition Information Center (FNIC). FNIC is one of several information centers at the National Agricultural Library, part of the United States Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service (ARS): http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/. There are some specific pages on this site that address nutrition and older adults. For example: http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/reports/olderamerican.html
  3. Jean Mayer United States Department of Agriculture Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University: http://www.hnrc.tufts.edu/

 

Sexuality and Aging: Myth versus Reality

  1. An annotated bibliography of resource material on Sexuality In Middle And Later Life (by the Sexuality and Information and Education Council of the United States - SIECUS): http://www.siecus.org/pubs/biblio/bibs0012.html
  2. National Institute on Aging - Age Page on "Sexuality in Later Life": http://www.nih.gov/nia/health/pubpub/sexual.htm

Psychological Changes and Mental Health/Illness in Later Life: Transitions, Adjustments, and Vulnerability

  1. A Resource Guide for Clinicians Working with Older Adults, published by Division 20 (Adult Development and Aging) of the American Psychological Association: http://aging.ufl.edu/apadiv20/clingd1.htm.
  2. Mental health is the status of one’s psychological well being and a person’s ability to contribute intellectually to functions of daily living regardless of their physical health or disability. Although some cognitive functions decline as a normal course of aging, most loss of functioning that is readily observable by family and friends, have other causes and can be addressed by professionals. The most common late life mental health condition is depression and, under nearly every circumstance, is treatable. Even some forms of dementia including those created by drug interaction and arterial sclerosis can also be treated. There is hope that in the near future Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s dementia which is increasingly prevalent among adults age 85 and over will be arrested with treatment. The links on this webiste below include federal research and consumer programs, national professional and advocacy organizations, and academic programs: http://www.aoa.dhhs.gov/NAIC/Notes/mentalhealth.html

Given increased longevity, Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementia, and the debilitating effects of other chronic diseases, are the primary causes of the rapid increase in demand for long term care services. Alzheimer’s affects family members who take care of their loved ones at home and who function as their advocates when placed in institutions and special care units. The following website (developed and maintained by the National Aging Information Center) contains links to sources of information on (a) number of older adults affected by Alzheimer’s, (b) organizations that address service and information needs of families, and (c) government programs that support research to find the cause of the disease and improve clinical care: http://www.aoa.dhhs.gov/NAIC/Notes/alzheimerdisease.html

Illness, Accidents, Self-Neglect and Abuse in Later Life: Profiles of Pathology - Prescriptions for Prevention

  1. Falls occurring among the elderly is a serious problem that may be symptomatic of untreated chronic health conditions including but not limited to Osteoporosis. Rehabilitation is especially difficult when a bone fracture occurs in the hip or pelvic structure and mobility is impaired. A fall with fracture is a frequent precursor to long term residence in a nursing home. This website (developed and maintained by the national aging information center) includes links to sites with statistics, research findings and information on prevention: http://www.aoa.dhhs.gov/NAIC/Notes/falls&fractures.html
  2. Website for the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion: http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/

Medication Use by Older Adults

Recent public policy focus on reform of the Medicare program has increased interest in expanding its benefits to include prescription drugs. Pharmaceutical treatments for acute and chronic health conditions have contributed to better quality of living and extended life spans for older adults. They have, however, increased household expenditures for prescription drugs at a rate far exceeding the cost of living adjustments for persons living on fixed income sources of income including annuities, pensions and Social Security. The links listed on this website (developed and maintained by the National Aging Information Center) lead to information sites on issues related to the development of new drugs and their safety, the danger of side effects in multiple prescriptions, the retail cost of proprietary and generic drugs, and various proposed changes in insurance benefits covering their purchase: http://www.aoa.dhhs.gov/NAIC/Notes/presciptiondrugs.html

Medical Care and Long Term Care: Problems, Policies, Perspectives and Prospects

Site sponsored by AARP (American Association for Retired Persons) focusing on health and long-term care: http://research.aarp.org/health/index.html. Of particular interest to the student might be information on women and long-term care. This website contains a Fact Sheet prepared by Stephanie Adams, Heather Nawrocki and Barbara Coleman of the Public Policy Institute. The fact sheet summarizes the factors that make long-term care overwhelmingly a women’s issue.

Death, Dying, Grief and Bereavement

  1. GriefNet is an Internet community consisting of more than 35 e-mail support groups: http://rivendell.org/
  2. Hospice care is a to enhance life for a dying person. A person with a terminal disease may choose to die at home with the support of family, friends, and caring professionals. Hospice care emphasizes comfort measures and counseling to provide social, spiritual and physical support to the dying patient and his or her family. All hospice care is under professional medical supervision. Over 90% of hospice care is provided in the patient's home. This website contains a variety of links related to hospice care as well as general resource information on death, dying, grief and bereavement: http://www.teleport.com/~hospice/links.htm
  3. WidowNet, an information and self-help resource for, and by, widows and widowers. Topics covered include grief, bereavement, recovery, and other information helpful to people, of all ages, religious backgrounds and sexual orientations, who have suffered the death of a spouse or life partner: http://www.fortnet.org/WidowNet/
  4. End of Life: Exploring Death in America (website developed by National Public Radio): http://www.npr.org/programs/death/
  5. Website for Choice in Dying, a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering communication about complex end-of-life decisions: http://www.choices.org/. Note: Choices in Dying provides advance directives, counsels patients and families, trains professionals, advocates for improved laws, and offers a range of publications and services.
  6. Suicide is an ultimate act of self-abuse taken by an individual who sees no other alternative to ending the physical or emotional pain they are experiencing or for which they feel they are causing to another individual. Recognition of even the act is often difficult given frequent effort to hide intent and to avoid stigma and financial loss for survivors. Statistical undercount is perhaps less important than understanding behavioral patterns before action, its prevalence among age groups and the changes in rates of successful and unsuccessful attempts within groups over time. Research in these areas has produced early warning signs of treatable depression and support for training and development of suicide prevention programs. This website (developed and maintained by the National Aging Information Center) contains links to sites with information on suicide and the elderly: http://www.aoa.dhhs.gov/NAIC/Notes/suicide.html

Research Project

  1. Guidelines for writing a term paper on a gerontological topic: http://research.aarp.org/ageline/modhome.html
  2. Gerontology Library - Web Links. A Web site developed and maintained by the Andrus Gerontology Center at the University of Southern California. The site is intended to be useful for the educators, researchers, practitioners, and other individuals interested in the study of gerontology and geriatrics: http://www.usc.edu/isd/locations/science/gerontology/web_resources.htm. Also see: http://www.usc.edu/isd/locations/science/gerontology/socsourc.htm

Resources Related to Diversity and Aging

There has been no greater demographic change in the past 10 years in the demographic composition of older adults than the number of persons reaching 85 years of age. Closely following this has been change in the cultural and racial diversity of younger older adults, from age 60 to 74. Increased life expectancy among African-Americans and Native Americans and increased immigration of families from Latin America and Southeast Asia have increased demand for access and supportive services reflective of cultural traditions and values of these regions. These trends are counter to the development of the Internet which has overwhelmingly been the product of English speaking nations and Western European culture. While this will change, the internet sites listed here and which one will find elsewhere are insufficient to describe the issues, values, programs and organizations underlying the increasing diversity of our older population.

  1. Cultural Context of Aging, by Jay Sokolvsky: http://www.stpt.usf.edu/~jsokolov/
  2. American Society on Aging – Multicultural Aging Network: http://www.asaging.org/multicultural-aging.html
  3. AOA Diversity and Aging: http://www.aoa.dhhs.gov/NAIC/Notes/diversityaging.html
  4. National Aging Information Center website: http://www.aoa.dhhs.gov/NAIC/Notes/diversityaging.html
  5. The Minority Health Research Catalog is an online catalog containing citations of journal articles, books, ongoing research, and works in progress relevant to investigators interested in minority health research. The catalog contains information about the publication, such as title of article, the source of the article, year of publication, and an abstract: http://www.minority.unc.edu/databases/mhr/


Alzheimer's Disease

  1. The Alzheimer Page - Washington University in St. Louis http://www.biostat.wustl.edu/ALZHEIMER/
  2. The Alzheimer's Association http://www.alz.org/