As our population ages, the need for comprehensive, up-to-date knowledge about aging services in the United States becomes more and more crucial. This highly accessible and exhaustive text about such resources provides students and practitioners of gerontology-along with all professionals whose work concerns the wellbeing of older adults --with a current, detailed description and analysis of federal, state, local, and global programs and services for older people with, or without, cognitive, physical, and social needs.

This eighth edition has been thoroughly updated to encompass the wealth of new information available concerning later life. It reflects critical changes to legislation, health care, and current trends, and focuses on the strengths of older adults, their diversity, and the role our multi-layered aging network plays in advocacy, community independence, and engagement. Commentary and critical thinking challenges from policy-makers, program directors and educators facilitate high-level thinking and independent analysis of the aging networks present and future.

The eighth edition is reorganized to underscore recent policy changes and explain how these changes will impact the lives of older adults. ""Perspectives"" boxes throughout the text highlight complex themes addressed by seasoned experts, and ""Critical Thinking"" topics encourage reflection. The new edition also describes evidence-based initiatives that highlight best practice approaches, and model projects designed to facilitate positive change. Along with a vast amount of new and revised information reinforced with plentiful case studies, the book features an international perspective to highlight the collaborative efforts driving many future aspects of aging network programming. Additionally, the book focuses on the unique issues of the LGBT population along with programs designed to address them.

New to the Eight Edition:

Expert analyses of complex themes
Reflects major legislative and policy changes including CLA and the ACA
International perspectives such as WHO's Age Friendly Cities Project
Evidence-based initiatives and innovative model projects
Expanded focus on issues unique to the LGBT population
The influence of changing social determinants on aging networks
Kinship care
Disaster and emergency preparedness
Increased risk and incidence of HIV/AIDS in elderly population
Affects of economic downturn on the aging population
Older driver safety and mobility
Elder mistreatment
Changes in employment and retirement patterns
Expanding housing options
Increasing complexity of health and mental health care for well and frail elders
Sample workshop, classroom, and presentation projects
New and expanded educator' ancillary packet