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Chapter One
Global Aging
KAREN M. SOWERS and WILLIAM S. ROWE
The world is experiencing dramatically increased numbers of people living
to an advanced old age. Often referred to as "the graying of the planet," this
dramatic increase represents the most significant population shift in recent
history (Obaid & Malloch-Brown, 2002). Population aging may be considered one
of humanity's major achievements while posing a major challenge for much of
the world. This chapter provides an overview of global aging, shifts in the aging
population, discusses similarities and differences among the elderly, and provides
some suggestions for how you can become involved in promoting the well-being
of the aged.
Aging is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO, 1999) as the process
of progressive change in the biological, psychological, and social structure of
individuals. According to the U.N. definition, persons 60 years and over are considered
elderly (United Nations, n.d.).
... read full excerpt from Handbook of Gerontology: Evidence-Based Approaches to Theory, Practice, and Policy ebook
