Communication and Aging
Routledge – 2000 – 392 pages
Series: Routledge Communication Series
This text employs a communication perspective to examine the aging process and the ability of individuals to adapt successfully to aging. It continues the groundbreaking work of the first edition, emphasizing a life-span approach toward understanding the social interaction that occurs during later life. The edition provides a comprehensive update on the existing and emerging research within communication and aging studies and considers such topics as notions of successful aging, positive and negative stereotypes toward older adults, and health communication issues. It raises awareness of the barriers facing elderly people in conversation and the importance such conversations have in elderly people's lives. The impact of nonrelational processes, such as hearing loss, are considered as they impact relationships with others and affect the ability to age successfully.
The book is organized into 14 chapters. Each chapter is written so that the reader is presented with an exhaustive review of the pertinent and recent literature from the social sciences. As in the first edition, when the literature is empirically based, the communicative ramifications are then discussed.
Readers of this volume will gain greater understanding of the importance of their communicative relationships and how significant they remain across the life span. Developed for students in communication, psychology, nursing, social gerontology, sociology, and related areas, Communication and Aging provides important insights on communication to all who are affected by the aging process.
"This is a fascinating piece of work of direct relevance to any health professional or student in contact with older people and issues surrounding the ageing process. It also holds some excellent insights for those interested in studying communicative relationships from a social and psychological perspective. This book makes a significant contribution toward a deeper understanding of the inter-relatedness of ageing, health and communication….It is an excellent example of how research on communication, ageing and health should contribute to and change current practice. It also exposes many areas requiring further research study and makes inspirational reading.
—Quality in Ageing
Contents: Preface. Communication and Aging: Pragmatic and Theoretical Considerations. Attitudes and Ageism. Relational Considerations. Mass Media Use and Aging. Mass Communication Theory and Media Portrayals of Elderly People. Work, Leisure, and Retirement. Aging and the Family: Marital Relationships. Aging and the Family: Relational Lifestyle Changes. Aging and the Family: Parents, Grandparents, and Siblings. Friendship and Aging. Barriers to Conversation Facing Elderly People. Health, Communication, and Aging. Death and Dying. Successful Aging.