Main description:

Part exploration, part knowledge building, and part narration, Work and the Older Person: Increasing Longevity and Well-Being draws on the latest research from a variety of disciplines and resources to paint a complete picture of productivity in old age. Dr. Linda A. Hunt and Caroline E. Wolverson, along with 11 contributors, discuss the relationship between work and aging and highlight the importance of working into old age.

Each chapter of Work and the Older Person focuses on narratives from older workers that support the evidence presented with personal stories. These stories illustrate the opportunities, challenges, frustrations, and choices that older people face in maintaining a productive lifestyle. Simultaneously, the text highlights current events and the economy largely within Western societies and discusses the struggle some countries have supplying the financial benefits paid to retirees. Overall, the text shows how working into old age can contribute to longevity and greater quality of life.

Occupational therapists, occupational therapy assistants, gerontologists, social workers, psychologists, and those working with older people in the health and social care sector will appreciate the inspiring accounts from older workers discussing how work contributes to their self-identity, quality of life, health, and well-being.

Work and the Older Person: Increasing Longevity and Well-Being shows how engaging in occupations brings purpose to people's lives. The text will be of value to all professionals working with older adults, as well as older adults themselves looking to maintain a productive lifestyle.

Contents:

Dedication
About the Editors
Contributing Authors
Preface

Chapter 1 A Historical Perspective
Michael Wolverson, BA (Hons), BSc (Hons), MSC, RNMH, PGCE, RNT

Chapter 2 An Occupational Science Perspective
Jane Cronin-Davis, PhD, MSc (Crim Psych), BHSc (Hons), BSc (Hons), BA, PGCAP, FHEA and Caroline Wolverson, DipCOT, DipHT, MSc

Chapter 3 Theories of Aging
Linda A. Hunt, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA

Chapter 4 Social Justice and the Older Worker
Susan Magasi, PhD; Denise M. Nepveux, PhD, OTR/L;
and Aimee Thompson, BSc (Hons)

Chapter 5 Aging, Disability, and Work
Nancy E. Krusen, PhD, OTR/L; Linda A. Hunt, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA;
and Caroline Wolverson, DipCOT, DipHT, MSc

Chapter 6 Well-Being and Employment
Linda A. Hunt, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA

Chapter 7 Ergonomics and the Older Person
Jeff Snodgrass, PhD, MPH, OTR/L

Chapter 8 Cognitive Benefits of Working
Ross Andel, PhD

Chapter 9 Volunteering
Caroline Wolverson, DipCOT, DipHT, MSc

Chapter 10 Technology's Impact on the Way Older People Work and Socialize
Laura Dimmler, PhD, MHA; Erin E. Hunt, BS;
and Caroline Wolverson, DipCOT, DipHT, MSc

Chapter 11 Finding New Work and Reinventing Oneself
Marian Arbesman, PhD, OTR/L

Chapter 12 Sustainability
Caroline Wolverson, DipCOT, DipHT, MSc
and Linda A. Hunt, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA

Chapter 13 Work, Legacy, and a Personal Reflection
Linda A. Hunt, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA

Financial Disclosures
Index