Understanding Quality of Life in Old Age (Growing Older)

What constitutes quality of life for older people? How can quality of life be measured? How might policy makers improve quality of life for older people? This book considers key findings from the Growing Older research programme and presents them in a lively thematic format. It discusses essential topics such as environment, family, bereavement, identity, and social interaction and describes key concepts and measures. Using data drawn from a range of different research projects, the book illustrates considerable methodological diversity to capture a broad picture of quality of life. Key implications for future research on quality of life in older age are also proposed. The book is a companion volume to "Growing Older: Quality of Life in Old Age" edited by Alan Walker and Catherine Hagan Hennessy and is key reading on a range of undergraduate and Masters level courses including social gerontology, social work, sociology and social policy. This book features contributors such as: Sara Arber, John Baldock, Kate M.; Bennett, David Blane, Ann Bowling, Elizabeth Breeze, Jabeer Butt, Lynda Clarke, Peter Coleman, Kate Davidson, Murna Downs, Maria Evandrou, Ken Gilhooly, Mary Gilhooly, Jane Gow, Jan Hadlow, Catherine Hagan Hennessy, Paul Higgs, Caroline Holland, Georgina M. Hughes, Martin Hyde, Leonie Kellaher, Mary Maynard, Kevin McKee, F. McKiernan, Christopher McKevitt, Marie Mills, Jo Moriarty, James Nazroo, Sheila Peace, Thomas Scharf, Philip T. Smith, Peter Speck, Susan Tester, Christina Victor, Alan Walker, Peter Warr, Lorna Warren, Dick Wiggins, and, Fiona Wilson. Investigating quality of life in the Growing Older Programme / Alan Walker and Catherine Hagan Hennessy Quality of life: meaning and measurement / Mary Gilhooly, Ken Gilhooly and Ann Bowling Dimensions of the inequalities in quality of life in older age / Paul Higgs ... [et al.] Getting out and about / Caroline Holland ... [et al.] Family and economic roles / Lynda Clarke, Maria Evandrou and Peter Warr Social involvement: aspects of gender and ethnicity / Kate Davidson, Lorna Warren and Mary Maynard social isolation and loneliness / Christina Victor and Thomas Scharf Frailty, identity and the quality of later life / Kevin McKee ... [et al.] Identity, meaning and social support / Christopher McKevitt ... [et al.] Elderly bereaved spouses: issues of belief, well-being and support / Peter Speck ... [et al.] Conclusion: from research to action / Alan Walker. This book considers key findings from the Growing Older research programme and presents these in a lively thematic format. It discusses topics such as environment, family, bereavement, identity, and social interaction and describes key concepts and measures.