Physical and mental issues in aging sourcebook

From The Critics

Reviewer: Marquis D. Foreman, PhD, RN, FAAN(University of Illinois at Chicago College of Nursing)
Description: This book provides basic consumer health information on physical and mental disorders associated with the aging process. Also included are a glossary of terms, and resource listings for additional help.
Purpose: Information is provided to help the layperson identify aging-related symptoms, diseases, and conditions and suggestions for dealing with difficult problems sometimes encountered by older Americans.
Audience: Lay people who can read and understand English are the audience. There is no information provided about the existence of various translations of this book.
Features: The book is divided into 11 parts (an introduction, seven organ systems, pain, mental concerns, and additional help and information) of 73 chapters. The parts are of broad areas of interest (e.g., pulmonary concerns), while the chapters are of specific, single topics within that area of interest (e.g., asthma). Chapters are generally structured to provide an overview of terminology, guidelines for when a physician should be seen or when surgery may be necessary, and sources for additional information on the topic, such as the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Information center and website. Additional readings also are provided.
Assessment: This is a treasure of health information for the layperson. Some information seems irrelevant to a lay consumer, such as theories of pain in the chapter on pain and aging, and other information is presented at too high a level. Probably the biggest limitation is the fact that it is not available in other languages for our ethnic elderly, especially those who are of Hispanic origin.

Marquis D. Foreman

This book provides basic consumer health information on physical and mental disorders associated with the aging process. Also included are a glossary of terms, and resource listings for additional help. Information is provided to help the layperson identify aging-related symptoms, diseases, and conditions and suggestions for dealing with difficult problems sometimes encountered by older Americans. Lay people who can read and understand English are the audience. There is no information provided about the existence of various translations of this book. The book is divided into 11 parts (an introduction, seven organ systems, pain, mental concerns, and additional help and information) of 73 chapters. The parts are of broad areas of interest (e.g., pulmonary concerns), while the chapters are of specific, single topics within that area of interest (e.g., asthma). Chapters are generally structured to provide an overview of terminology, guidelines for when a physician should be seen or when surgery may be necessary, and sources for additional information on the topic, such as the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Information center and website. Additional readings also are provided. This is a treasure of health information for the layperson. Some information seems irrelevant to a lay consumer, such as theories of pain in the chapter on pain and aging, and other information is presented at too high a level. Probably the biggest limitation is the fact that it is not available in other languages for our ethnic elderly, especially those who are of Hispanic origin.

Booknews

Provides information to help the layperson identify aging-related symptoms, diseases, and conditions, and provides suggestions for dealing with difficult problems sometimes encountered by older Americans. Eleven chapters present cardiovascular, pulmonary, oral health and digestive, musculoskeletal and skin, metabolic, sexual and reproductive, and mental concerns, as well as concerns about the senses, pain, and aging. Also contains a glossary of important terms, contact information for State Agencies on Aging, and a directory of other resources. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

3 Stars from Doody