Adult lives: A life course perspective

Description

With the proportion of people between young adulthood and the third age growing in relation to children and young people in western industrialised societies, there is an increasing need for a comprehensive look at the past, present and future of adult lives. These adult lives are defined by the experience of history, are structurally specific, and draw upon different interpersonal, lifestyle and cultural resources and it is important to recognise the impact of the past and the present on future adult lives. 'Adult Lives', co-published by The Policy Press and the Open University, is a diverse collection of readings, rich in resources, from all stages of life. These readings contribute to a shared life course perspective to understand how those living and working together in an ageing society relate to each other. The originality and appeal of this Reader lies in its holistic approach to understanding ageing in adulthood through biography and auto-biography that is applicable to all, including those developing policy and in practice, and will make essential reading for those who wishing to contextualise ageing, understand how lives can be transformed through policy and practice, and consider the lived experience

The editors work in the Faculty of Health and Social Care at The Open University, UK. Dr. Jeanne Katz is a medical sociologist whose research has focused on the care of older people in different environments; Sheila Peace is Professor of Social Gerontology, and a human geographer by first discipline with expertise in environment and ageing research; Sue Spurr is a curriculum manager in the Faculty, and is undertaking a doctorate in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM)

"Linked to the Open University's innovative teaching, this reader contains an exciting mix of new material and extracts from key existing texts - interspersed with the voices of real people using services." Jon Glasby, University of Birmingham. "This is certainly a very thought-provoking and informative title with much for health and social care practitioners to consider ... a very useful collection of perspectives and research on a topic that is highly pertinent to our time." Richard Bryant-Jefferies, CNWL NHS Foundation Trust.