Title: Medical sociology and old age : towards a sociology of health in later life /
Authors: Higgs, Paul.; Jones, Ian Rees.
Publisher: Routledge,
Year: 2009
Subjects: Older people Health and hygiene Social aspects.; Social medicine; Aged; Geriatrics; Sociology, Medical
Abstract: Trajectories of chronic illness, biotechnology, social inequality and the restructuring of health care all demonstrate the relevance and importance of health for understanding social change. This book reflects on how our understanding and experience of health, at later ages in particular, can impact on social and technological developments. By integrating the perspectives of medical sociology, with its focus on the failing body, chronic illness, infirmity and mortality, and social gerontology, and by emphasizing the epidemiology of old age and health policy, Higgs and Jones break new ground in the study of ageing. They discuss the key issue of dependency versus success ageing and examine the prospect of a new sociology â€“ a sociology of health in later life. This book will be essential reading for all students and researchers of medical sociology and gerontology.
Contents: Medical sociology and old age -- Social gerontology and old age -- The body at later ages -- New developments in social gerontology -- The death of old age, critical approaches as undertakers -- The birth of a new sociology of health in later life -- Conclusion.