Aging with a Disability: What the Clinician Needs to Know

by Bryan J. Kemp PhD (Editor), Laura Mosqueda MD (Editor)

Overview

With advances in medical care, technology, and rehabilitation, people with disabilities are now living longer. Many, in fact, have near-average life expectancies. Research has shown, however, that the changes and problems associated with aging often occur 10–20 years earlier in the lives of people with disabilities than in the lives of people without disabilities. These changes pose significant challenges for health care professionals. Because research in this field is relatively recent, few practitioners and students are aware of these findings.

Aging with a Disability provides clinicians with a complete guide to the care and treatment of persons aging with a disability. Divided into five parts, this book first addresses the perspective of the person with a disability and his or her family. Chapters in the second section address the physiological and functional changes people will face as they grow older, and how these changes may affect quality of life and caregiver requirements. In the third part, contributors discuss treatment considerations such as maintaining employment and managing pain and fatigue. The book's fourth section focuses on specific conditions: spinal cord injury, polio, cerebral palsy, and developmental disabilities such as mental retardation. In the concluding section, the authors present research needs and discuss policy issues for future consideration. Paying special attention to the feelings, attitudes, and needs of people with disabilities—three chapters are written by authors who have a disability—Aging with a Disability gives students and clinicians a reliable and compassionate handbook for the treatment of this growing population.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780801878176
Publisher:	Johns Hopkins University Press
Publication date:	06/15/2004
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	328
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.85(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Bryan J. Kemp, Ph.D., is a clinical professor of medicine and psychology at the University of California at Irvine. He is the director of the Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Aging with a Disability at Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center in Downey, California.

Laura Mosqueda, M.D., is an associate clinical professor of family medicine and director of the Program in Geriatrics at the University of California at Irvine. She is the co-director of Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Aging with a Disability at Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center in Downey, California.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments
List of Contributors
Introduction
Part I: The Consumer's Perspective
Chapter 1. A Consumer's Perspective on Living with a Disability: How Change in Function Affects Daily Life
Chapter 2. Family Members' Perspective on Aging with a Disability
Part II: Biopsychosocial Issues
Chapter 3. Physiological Changes and Secondary Conditions
Chapter 4. Quality of Life, Coping, and Depression
Chapter 5. Family and Caregiver Issues
Part III: Treatment Considerations
Chapter 6. Maintaining Health and Function
Chapter 7. Functional Changes Affecting People Aging with Disabilities
Chapter 8. The Therapist's Role in Maintaining Employment
Part IV: Impairment-Specific Conditions
Chapter 9. Aging with a Spinal Cord Injury
Chapter 10. Aging with Poliomyelitis
Chapter 11. Aging with Cerebral Palsy
Chapter 12. Aging with Developmental Disabilities: Emerging Models for Promoting Health, Independence, and Quality of Life
Part V: Future Directions
Chapter 13. Methodological Issues
Chapter 14. The Politics of Aging with Disability: Health Care Policy and the Shaping of a Public Agenda
Chapter 15. The Health Care Partnership: Barriers to Care— Part 1: The Provider's Viewpoint
Chapter 16. The Health Care Partnership: Barriers to Care— Part 2: The Consumer's Viewpoint
Index

What People are Saying About This

Jeremy D. Walston

"This book is a thoughtful and original contribution to rehabilitation and aging literature. It provides important patient-centered insights and offers specific information on disabling conditions that worsen with age."

From the Publisher

This book is a thoughtful and original contribution to rehabilitation and aging literature. It provides important patient-centered insights and offers specific information on disabling conditions that worsen with age.
—Jeremy D. Walston, The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine

This is an important topic area that is emerging as we do a better job helping persons with disability survive and attain normal life expectancy. This book is a substantial contribution to the field.
—Leonard N. Matheson, Washington University School of Medicine

Leonard N. Matheson

This is an important topic area that is emerging as we do a better job helping persons with disability survive and attain normal life expectancy. This book is a substantial contribution to the field.

Editorial Reviews

A comprehensive look at aging in individuals who have a disability . . . Family members and caregivers of an individual with a disability will find this book valuable as an ongoing reference.

Review of Disability Studies - Patricia Duffley-Renow

Offers... significant insights.

— Stephen Weeks

International Psychogeriatrics

A comprehensive look at aging in individuals who have a disability... Family members and caregivers of an individual with a disability will find this book valuable as an ongoing reference.

— Patricia Duffley-Renow

Review of Disability Studies

"Offers... significant insights."

International Psychogeriatrics - Stephen Weeks

A comprehensive look at aging in individuals who have a disability . . . Family members and caregivers of an individual with a disability will find this book valuable as an ongoing reference.
—Patricia Duffley-Renow, Review of Disability Studies

Offers . . . significant insights.
—Stephen Weeks, International Psychogeriatrics

From the Publisher