The Aging Networks: A Guide to Programs and Services

Drs. Niles-Yokum and Wagner have written a comprehensive and accessible overview of aging services in the United States, from the evolution of a formal aging network through the older Americans Act to innovative new programs aimed at disaster preparedness, lifelong learning, and spiritual growth. This book should be required reading for every student in gerontology and should be a resource for even the most seasoned professional.

Kate de Medeiros, PhD
Associate Director, Center for Aging Studies, and Research Scientist
University of Maryland, Baltimore

This comprehensive, well written book is accessible to readers at all levels from those just beginning to learn about the field of aging to those with decades of experience. . . [It is] an excellent resource for students, not only of gerontology, but also allied health, business administration, health education, healthcare management, medicine, nursing, occupational therapy, physical therapy, public administration, public health and social work. In fact, it should be required reading for all American citizens, so they know where they need to plan ahead, how they can step up to the plate to advocate for better elder services and where to mind the gaps.

Sharon B. Buchbinder, RN, PhD
Former Professor and Chair
Department of Health Science
Towson University, Towson, MD

Revised and updated to include the most current information concerning later-life care, this seventh edition provides students and practitioners with a detailed overview of federal, state, and local programs and services for older people with cognitive, physical, and social needs. It also examines new and emerging needs and interests of older adults and what measures are being taken to address them, including civic engagement, religion and spirituality, and arts and humanities programs.

An ideal source for students and educators in a variety of disciplines-from gerontology to nursing to public health-this guide offers a historical perspective on the evolution of programs and services for older Americans. It also cites a wealth of important changes in legislation, health care, lifestyle, and other areas concerning older adults that have occurred since the publication of the previous edition.

This guide covers various aspects of each program or service, including:

• Historical evolution of the Aging Network
• Both enacted and proposed relevant legislation
• Essays by experts in the field
• Challenges faced by older adults, professionals, and policymakers
• New sources and relevant websites
• Discussion questions for classroom use

Kelly Niles-Yokum, MPA, PhD, is an Assistant Professor of Gerontology at York College of Pennsylvania where she teaches courses in gerontology and sociology. Dr. Niles-Yokum serves as Managing Editor for Gerontology and Geriatrics Education, the official journal of the Association for Gerontology in Higher Education. Prior to becoming a faculty member at York College she served as the Director for the Gerontology Program at the Colleges of Worcester Consortium in Worcester, MA. She holds a doctorate in gerontology from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County and received a master's degree in public administration with a specialty in aging policy from Portland State University. Dr. Niles-Yokum's research interests include rural aging, domestic social policy and aging, end-of-life issues and, empowerment in later life.

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Donna L. Wagner. PhD,is the founding director of the Center for Productive Aging and the academic gerontology programs at Towson University. Prior to joining Towson, she was the Vice President for Research and Development at the National Council on the Aging. Dr. Wagner's research has focused on the intersection of family and work, community elders, the aging work force and rural elders. Her research and publications in the area of family caregiving and employment began in the mid 1980's and includes a history of workplace eldercare programs, two national studies on long-distance caregiving, an examination of gender in the workplace as it relates to family caregiving, out of pocket spending of family caregivers domestically and within the EU, policy analysis and policy briefs on the topic of employed caregivers and programs that support them. Dr. Wagner is a Fellow of both the Gerontological Society of America and the Association of Gerontology in Higher Education. She is the President of the national board of the Older Womens League (OWL) and the Treasurer of the Board of Directors of the National Alliance for Caregiving.