Joan T. Erber - Aging and Older Adulthood

The second edition of this textbook builds on the solid foundation of its predecessor and incorporates new research and developments in a user-friendly way. It is easy to tell that the author is passionate about teaching adult development and aging courses. In particular, I liked how Erber did not sacrifice historically important theories and studies in her book. Thus, I highly recommend this textbook as it represents an excellent introduction to a topic with increasing societal and global importance.

Manfred Diehl, Colorado State University

Erbers Aging and Older Adulthood incorporates the latest research findings along with a compassionate, humanistic perspective. The new material on research applications to everyday problems of older adults, such as driving, shopping, and medical decision-making, will be of interest to those planning careers in aging as well as those planning on growing old.

Susan Kemper, University of Kansas

This text has a number of features that will appeal to both instructors and students. For example, the author weaves a genuine attention to issues of diversity through each and every chapter. The author also includes realistic examples that demonstrate the significance of concepts to readers own work with older adults, their own families, and even themselves, no matter their age. Most importantly, this text integrates three approaches that are essential to understanding aging: a biopsychosocial focus that spans key domains relevant to aging, a lifespan developmental perspective that views aging as a process rather than an event, and an empirical approach that recognizes the importance of theory and research in understanding and improving the experience of late life.

In sum, this text is a vibrantly written, comprehensive, and current introduction to aging and older adulthood, ideal for students from many disciplines who need to be prepared for their own aging and the aging of others around them.

Brian D. Carpenter, Washington University

This text provides a dynamic historical narrative of aging research and theory, along with very insightful contemporary case studies that enrich the readers understanding of the field of gerontology and individual processes of aging. It is recognized that as we age, health issues become more intertwined with personal realities, and Dr Erber provides a nuanced discussion of various changes in health and life concerns that is both informative and optimistic with regard to illness prevention and positive health outcomes she provides a very systematic and well-structured presentation of the key areas and concerns of human aging.

Dr. Dean D. VonDras, University of Wisconsin-Green Bay

Aging and Older Adulthood also includes a helpful glossary and bibliography. For anyone working with the older population this title contains a wealth of information and factors to take account of and I would recommend it as a resource.

Inclusion News, 1 January 2013

FOURTH EDITION

Joan T. Erber

This edition first published 2020
2020 John Wiley & Sons Ltd

Edition History
Thompson Wadsworth (1e, 2005); Blackwell Publishing Ltd (2e, 2010); John Wiley & Sons, Inc. (3e, 2013)

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, except as permitted by law. Advice on how to obtain permission to reuse material from this title is available at http://www.wiley.com/go/permissions.

The right of Joan T. Erber to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted in accordance with law.

Registered Offices
John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030, USA
John Wiley & Sons Ltd, The Atrium, Southern Gate, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 8SQ, UK

Editorial Office
90 Eglinton Ave. E., Suite 300, Toronto, Ontario M4P 2Y3, Canada

For details of our global editorial offices, customer services, and more information about Wiley products visit us at www.wiley.com.

Wiley also publishes its books in a variety of electronic formats and by print-on-demand. Some content that appears in standard print versions of this book may not be available in other formats.

Limit of Liability/Disclaimer of Warranty
While the publisher and authors have used their best efforts in preparing this work, they make no representations or warranties with respect to the accuracy or completeness of the contents of this work and specifically disclaim all warranties, including without limitation any implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. No warranty may be created or extended by sales representatives, written sales materials or promotional statements for this work. The fact that an organization, website, or product is referred to in this work as a citation and/or potential source of further information does not mean that the publisher and authors endorse the information or services the organization, website, or product may provide or recommendations it may make. This work is sold with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering professional services. The advice and strategies contained herein may not be suitable for your situation. You should consult with a specialist where appropriate. Further, readers should be aware that websites listed in this work may have changed or disappeared between when this work was written and when it is read. Neither the publisher nor authors shall be liable for any loss of profit or any other commercial damages, including but not limited to special, incidental, consequential, or other damages.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available.
9781119438496

Cover Design: Wiley
Cover Image: stockstudioX/E+/Getty Images

For people of all ages who want to learn about aging and older adulthood.

Joan T. Erber is Professor Emeritus of Psychology at Florida International University, where she was a recipient of a State University System Professorial Excellence Program (PEP) Award. Dr. Erber has had extensive experience teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in adult development and aging. Her numerous research publications focus on aging and memory and how age stereotypes influence our perceptions and evaluations of older adults. Her research findings, some of which were funded by grants from the National Institute on Aging, are published in scientific journals such as Psychology and Aging, Journal of Gerontology: Psychological Sciences, and Experimental Aging Research. Dr. Erber is a Fellow of the Gerontological Society of America (GSA), the Association for Psychological Science (APS), and the American Psychological Association (APA). She is a past president of the APA Division 20 (Adult Development and Aging).

Thanks in large part to advances in medical science and technology, we are living in a society that is rapidly aging, and many of us will live well into the older adult years. Members of the baby boom generation are now celebrating their 65th birthday in increasing numbers, so the ranks of the older adult age group are continuing to swell. It is no wonder that developmental researchers and practitioners are turning their attention to this important period of the adult life span.