From the Publisher
"This volume, entitled Multidisciplinary Perspectives on Aging -- splendidly edited by Lynn Tepper and Thomas Cassidy -- provides an accessible yet critical multidisciplinary guide for students, researchers, policymakers, and families who seek more humane and effective approaches toward ensuring healthier and fuller lives for people as they age. By providing the historical, social, and policy contexts for the aging issues presented -- including issues noticeably absent in most aging texts, e.g., environmental design, oral health, and elder law -- the assembled authors have successfully contributed to a better understanding of the diversity and complexity of the health and health care needs of older adults. In doing so, they have restored hope in the possibility that as we age, we might all be better able to obtain effective relief from pain and enjoy happy and dignified lives."
----Mary E. Northridge, PhD, MPH, Editor-in-chief, American Journal of Public Health, Associate Professor of Clinical Sociomedical Sciences Mailman School of Public health, Columbia University
"This collection of essays edited by Lynn Tepper and Thomas Cassidy embodies an ideal approach to the care of the elderly. Its teamwork, benevolence, vision, and verve enact that which is recommended in individual care of older people. In its seamless combination of hard facts, practical information, clinical guidelines, policy critique, and philosophical insight, the book provides readers with vast and deep resources to improve their clinical practice in elder care. From suicide to spirituality, from diet to life review, this book reflects the experience of the elderly on all parts of the health spectrum, grounding health care providers and students of all disciplines in timely and accurate knowledge along with empowering and optimistic hopes for better aging for us all."
-- Rita Charon, Professor of Clinical Medicine, Columbia University
"Authors Tepper and Cassidy present a collection of experiences, expertise, and research results from numerous experts in the field of aging. The book presents the many-faceted aspects of caring for the frail elderly at home, in the community, and in long-term care environments. This is an impressive collection of scholarly viewpoints and practical care giving tools that would be immediately useful to the experienced long-term care administrator as well as to those just entering the profession."
Mary Tellis-Nayak, MSN, MPH, President/CCO, American College of Health Care Administrators
"This is an exceptional book that examines, chapter, the key social, health, financial, legal and ethical matters with which aging-services professionals, and older persons themselves, must contend. For the new and experienced aging-services professional alike, here in one volume is a detailed overview and ready reference on a multitude of issues facing an aging society."
--William L. Minnix, Jr., D. Min., President and CEO, American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging
"Tepper and Cassidy have edited a comprehensive and informative book. Building on core chapters on health care provision, this excellent book expands the focus by bringing together authors from a range of disciplines. Many chapters provide an historical context, and case studies are widely used. The combination of these approaches results in a book that will be useful to both students and professionals, in the field of aging and in other fields."
--Irene A.Gutheil, D.S.W, Professor of Gerontology, Fordham University Graduate School of Social Service
